DREAAM holds Black History Month celebration for youth
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — As Black History Month comes to a close, one Champaign organization wants to make sure the celebration continues beyond February.
Dozens gathered at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church to help the youth recognize their achievements. The theme was honoring the past and inspiring the future.
Student-run business gives U of I a new way to capture memories
Community activist and DREAAM founder Tracy Dace said things like this are important because children should be surrounded with more positivity and appreciation of their history.
'They need to be proud of who they are and we want them to go out in the world to do great things,' Dace said. 'Tonight they were able to showcase how amazing they are. and tonight we want to continue to support and pour into their lives.'
This is DREAAM's second time putting on an event like this.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Champaign Superintendent out and tempers flare at the latest school board meeting
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign School district had their third special meeting to decide the future of the superintendent went sideways after yelling, tense moments, and a near fight all happened within two hours. Tonight's agenda only had two items on it — and both pertained to the future of Superintendent Sheila Boozer. It also was the third special meeting this month for the new board — and it quickly became one of the rowdiest yet. The board decided to approve the separation agreement with current Superintendent Sheila Boozer. They also moved to task Dan Casillas as acting superintendent until an interim is named. Both of these decisions were expected to pass — and did by a 5-2 margin. What wasn't expected was the loud back-and-forth at the end between the audience and members of the board. Thursday was the third special meeting for the new Champaign school board — and perhaps the most consequential. Once again, it started with fiery public comment, with many in the crowd showing support at the podium for Sheila Boozer keeping her job as superintendent. 'The time that is necessary is being unjustly cut short. Your legacy will endure. You've shown us what it means to lead with integrity,' said incoming Booker T. Washington principal Cecil Thomas. 'Disrespected our superintendent, but you got what you wanted,' said one speaker during public comment. Shows of support also came from Champaign County NAACP President Minnie Pearson. 'What would it have been like if you had been as supportive of Dr. Boozer as you criticized her?' said Pearson. After about an hour of public comment, the board got to new business — approving an amended employment agreement with Boozer, which will see her depart from the district. 'This agreement has been negotiated between district lawyers and the personal lawyer of Dr. Sheila Boozer over the last couple of weeks,' said Board President Tony Bruno. Justin Michael Hendrix and Grace Kang were the sole two members voting against. 'I was not in favor of this as well, because this requires some additional money and I don't feel like that is being very fiscally responsible,' said Kang. 'The name Sheila comes from Irish origins and Latin roots meaning heavenly. Yet we have been unable to experience this heavenly presence due to power moves I can only consider wicked,' said Hendrix. The board also voted Dan Casillas as acting superintendent — pending the appointment of a more full-time interim. Once again, Hendrix and Kang voted against. 'I give it back to you all, because this is disgusting,' said Hendrix. Then, the meeting went off the rails. A loud and disruptive back-and-forth happened between the board and the audience over the approved decisions, culminating with a man charging at Board President Tony Bruno after former Board President Gianina Baker spoke out from the crowd. Board President Tony Bruno confirmed Boozer will remain on paid administrative leave until her contract expires in June 2026. He also says their agreement will eventually be made public — and says Boozer will need to sign it for the agreement to go into operation. Boozer herself was not at the meeting tonight. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
CUPHD announces summer meals program for kids
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is once again hosting a summer meals program for children starting in late July. The Food Service Program (SFSP) hosted by CUPHD will begin Friday, July 25. This program will provide free breakfast and lunch to children during a portion of the summer. SFSP is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and will run through Monday, Aug. 11. MTD bus route updates to benefit travelers near Marketplace Mall These meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis for children ages one to 18 in the CUPHD lobby, located at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign, Monday through Friday. Breakfast will be served from 9:30-11 a.m. and lunch will be served from 12:45-2:15 p.m. Additionally, all of the meals must be eaten on-site, but no sign-up is required to participate. 'The Summer Food Service Program is a very important program,' Brandon Meline, director of Maternal and Child Health, said. 'Many children get most of their nutrient intake from school food service nine months out of the year and it can be a challenge for some families during the summer. We are very pleased to be able to provide this service when school is out.' Champaign Co. Sheriff shares Memorial Day seatbelt enforcement results The meals will be provided for free and are the same for all children, meaning there will be no discrimination during the meal service. Those who do experience discrimination can file a program complaint by completing the USDA Program Discrimination (AD-3027) found online and at any USDA office. 'Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is proud to serve as a site for the Summer Food Service Program,' Administrator Julie Pryde said. 'This year marks our 16th year as a site for this very important service. We encourage families with children to take advantage of this program and use our building to avoid summer's heat. In addition to the breakfast and lunch, we also have free books, free Wi-Fi, cold air conditioning, and Disney+ on the lobby TV.' More information on SFSP can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
From the Farm: Illinois Corn Grower testifies on new Farm Bill
WASHINGTON D.C. (WCIA) — A congressional consideration of a new Farm Bill is moving from the House to the Senate. One of the staff members of the Illinois Corn Growers' Association was one of the witnesses at a recent Senate hearing. From the Farm: Illinois wheat yields and looming elections Megan Dwyer, the Director of Conservation Programs and Nutrient Management Issues, was asked by the top Democrat on the Senate Ag Committee to offer her thoughts about what conservation policy should be included in the Farm Bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.