In late June, the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Wilmington Public Library screened an early version of the documentary, Are You a Librarian? The Untold Story of Black Librarians. The producer, Rodney Freeman, is making the film to raise awareness about the important role that Black librarians have played throughout history to fight literary censorship, book bans, and workplace discrimination. Freeman is in the process of finalizing the film and will begin submitting it to film festivals next year. 

CBS Chicago Feature Story: In the heart of one of Chicago’s coolest neighborhoods, Theresa VanderMeer of Work+Shelter and Bergen Anderson of Lilla Barn are spearheading one of the coolest partnerships in the world to promote earth-friendly and ethically-made clothing and other sewn goods. Part of what makes this partnership so exciting: It includes creating jobs and helping to change the lives of women in need in India. 

Sen. Collins has been a champion of strong energy efficiency policies throughout her career. Local energy efficiency and home performance business owners wrote an op-ed for the Bangor Daily News calling on her to maintain her leadership on this issue and help protect the 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit in the Senate tax bill. A growing number of U.S. homeowners — particularly in Maine — are claiming the credit to help cover the cost of home efficiency improvements and reduce their energy bills. In 2023, 3% of Maine homeowners claimed the credit, the highest percentage in the country, likely in response to the state’s rapidly increasing electricity costs. 

On Wednesday, June 4th, the California Supreme Court will hold a hearing on whether to reinstate a stronger version of the state's rooftop solar energy policy after it was weakened by the California PUC in 2022. In the San Francisco Chronicle, Jessica Guadalupe Tovar, executive director of the Local Clean Energy Alliance, encourages the court to rule in favor of the reinstatement, saying that the stronger policy will do more to prevent wildfires, address climate change, and reduce household energy costs.

Chocolate Flower Pots, Exotic Dark Chocolates, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries: Uzma Sharif of Chocolat Uzma shows off her special Mother's Day offerings on Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez! 

Located in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, Chocolat Uzma was named one of the country's best chocolate shops by USA Today last year. Go check it out if you haven't yet!

The Solutions Project’s “We Love People & Planet” campaign, supported by A-list actors, nonprofits, businesses, and foundations, is a reminder that the wide-scale and continually growing effort to protect and advance climate solutions will always live on.

This June, twenty students from It Takes A Village Leadership Academy on Chicago’s South Side will travel to Kenya to see and experience the country’s culture firsthand and engage in a wide range of community service projects. ITAV’s World Scholars Program is just one of the ways the school provides its students with a world-class education. Chicago Crusader, the longest-running African American newspaper in the city, recently published an in-depth feature piece on the school’s unique and powerful programming. 

For Earth Day, FOX32 Chicago profiled Salon Edda, a leader in the green salon movement. ​The salon is carbon neutral & recycles 95% of its beauty waste — including hair clippings, aluminum foils, and hair color tubes – that are then turned into earth-friendly products like recycling bins, clean energy, and insulation. ​Check out Green Circle Salons to find a green salon near you!

If you're a homeowner, this is a "must read" Tax Day story. CNBC explains why a growing number of homeowners are claiming the 25C tax credit to save money on their home efficiency projects, such as installing fiberglass insulation.

"These two ladies are truly community leaders and builders who are investing in Chicago neighborhoods." - Bridging Chicago shines a spotlight on Kelly Fair of Polished Pebbles and Cecilia Cuff of The Nascent Group/Bronzeville Winery, who are working together prepare young Black and Brown girls for professional success.