Latest news with #MalcolmXCollege
CBS News
26-05-2025
- CBS News
Chicago summer safety program passes test with violent crime lower this Memorial Day weekend
Violent crime down this Memorial Day weekend in Chicago compared with last year Violent crime down this Memorial Day weekend in Chicago compared with last year Violent crime down this Memorial Day weekend in Chicago compared with last year The City of Chicago's safety plan was put to the test this Memorial Day, and it appeared to be passing late in the day — as the Police Department prepared for large crowds. Fewer than two dozen people were shot this weekend, about half the number from last year. Violent crimes are down as a whole compared to last year's Memorial Day weekend. The cooler weather could have something to do with it, but one organization made sure young men stayed occupied and out of trouble. "It's shown that if you give someone something to do that they're genuinely interested in, they're going to go do that," said Operation Basketball co-founder Tim Brennan. Brennan and professional basketball player Lucas Williamson, along with other organizations, hosted a late-night basketball tournament at Malcolm X College on the city's West Side over the weekend. A total of 62 young men between the ages of 18 and 24 participated in the game. "It was a good environment," Williamson said. "You know, like, people that show up to these types of events, those are the types of people that you want to be around, you want to have community, you want to build with." This is all part of Mayor Brandon Johnson's summer safety program. As we've seen in past years, Memorial Day weekend can turn violent. But this year was a little different. CBS News Chicago's data team shows last Memorial Day weekend, 41 people were shot, 12 fatally. This past weekend through Sunday, 22 people were shot and two died. The weather this weekend was mild, but Mayor Johnson said he doesn't base his investments on the weather. "We base our investments on building the quality of life for all residents," the mayor said. "Again, you know, violent crime continues to go down, and that's because we're making critical investments. You know, April, we've had the fewest homicides since 1962." Brennan said every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at Ellis Park, at 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in the Bronzeville neighborhood, his group hosts hoops therapy. It gives access to a licensed therapist. The hoops therapy program starts June 14, after 1,000 Black and brown boys from Male Mentorships Program come together to march against violence.
Chicago Tribune
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Joliet Catholic alum Andriana Acosta finds purpose after pro basketball. ‘Quickly realized I wasn't alone.'
Andriana Acosta, a Joliet Catholic graduate and former professional basketball player, is finding a new life off the court. And she's determined to help other athletes do the same. Acosta has founded Purpose Beyond Play, an organization focused on providing pro athletes guidance and support when their playing careers end. We'll get more into the mission of her new company shortly, but Acosta is also a big believer in the power of sports. So, with that in mind, let me tell you about a unique, free event Purpose Beyond Play is hosting that anyone can be a part of this weekend. The Sports and Unity Showcase is set for noon Sunday at Malcolm X College and is free to attend. As part of Chicago's Africa Day celebration, the men's national basketball team from Comoros, an island nation in East Africa, will make its first trip to the United States to play a game against semipro Team Dynasty. 'The Sports and Unity showcase is a celebration of sports, diplomacy, cultural exchange and leadership,' Acosta said. 'It's much more than a game. It's about uniting people, building bridges and amplifying global impact.' Acosta said she was inspired by playing overseas with teammates who spoke different languages as well as by holding youth camps in other countries. She hopes to host this event annually and welcome a team from a different country each year. Anyone interested in attending Sunday can claim their free tickets by going to and searching for the Sports and Unity Showcase. Beyond this weekend, though, Acosta has a big mission in mind with Purpose Beyond Play. Acosta knows all too well how crushing and confusing it can be when an athlete's career ends abruptly. How challenging it can be to move on and take the next step. Acosta, who first played professionally in Ireland after finishing her college career at St. Francis, had moved on to Australia's NBL1 League in 2023 when her playing days came to an abrupt halt. 'I was playing in a high-quality league with some players who had played in the WNBA,' Acosta said. 'It was incredible. But the first game I got into, I was in for a couple minutes and I went up for a rebound. I came down, landed on a player and rolled my ankle. 'I was like, 'OK, just play through it.' Later, I found out it ended up being a bone fracture.' It was a season-ending injury and ultimately, Acosta decided, the last straw. 'After going all the way to Australia, my career ended so suddenly,' Acosta said. 'It was tough. I couldn't even pick up the phone to tell family back home, because once you do that, it's real.' Before she even told her loved ones, Acosta took a solo trip to Bali, Indonesia to reflect and process what had just happened. 'It was truly transformational,' Acosta said. 'Everything comes to an end, especially in athletics. You can't play forever. You have to accept that and realize we do serve a purpose beyond our athletic identity.' That's when Acosta began forming the idea of Purpose Beyond Play. She spoke to current athletes about their future plans only to be shut down by most who were unwilling to even think about life beyond sports. Talking to others who had just ended their careers was also eye-opening. 'Reconnecting with some of these people who had stopped playing, they just looked so different,' Acosta said. 'They really lost that life to them. I quickly realized I wasn't alone. 'When my playing career ended, I had no guidance or resources, no community to help me navigate with the transition.' Acosta wants Purpose Beyond Play to be that resource. She plans for the company to offer help to former athletes in a variety of ways. 'The four things we really focus on are self-identity, holistic health and wellness, financial literacy and empowerment and career development,' she said. 'We're going to offer a career database.' Acosta believes former athletes have attributes that should be appealing to potential employers. 'We're getting rejected for jobs because we don't have years of experience, but pro athletes know how to adapt,' she said. 'We're fast learners and hard workers. We're going to partner with different countries in all industries who understand the value in this.' One area I'm especially glad to hear Acosta wants her company to help with is mental health. I know how much of themselves elite athletes devote to their sport and how hard it can be to deal with not having that anymore. And, of course, there's a stigma that prevents some athletes from talking about it. 'We have this image that we fight through adversity and play through injuries,' Acosta said. 'But when they're done playing, there's nobody there to catch them. People need to understand there's no shame in this and there are so many other people going through the same struggles.' You can visit to learn more. It's a worthwhile endeavor, and Acosta is the perfect ambitious athlete to make it happen.
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Malcolm X College students take trip of a lifetime in study abroad program visit to Africa
It's a big weekend for some Chicago students about to graduate from Malcolm X College, and a critical part of their educational journey was a free trip to Africa. The students in the study abroad program said it helped them stay focused on their studies and learn more about themselves. It was the trip of a lifetime for Courtney Beckford-Onar; leaving Chicago and taking a nearly 13-hour flight to Ghana. "It wasn't just a vacation, not at all. It was very spiritual," he said. Malcolm X College President David Sanders started the study abroad program nearly two years ago. The idea came from students in their Black male mentoring program. "They really said they didn't know who they were; that society was every day giving them a different version of their identity," he said. Back when the mentoring program began, the retention rate for Black men finishing college was 53%, and Sanders decided to shift gears. "We took 20 of our educators that looked like them and took two students and partnered them with those educators," he said. Sanders said, at the end of the semester, the retention rate was 93%. He presented that research to U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Illinois), and the school received a congressional earmark of $1 million that can be used to give students a free trip that can help them learn more about themselves. This past February, it was a trip for 20 students to Africa. "We don't have to worry about anything. We just actually just need to show up, you know? And it was a blessing, and I'm grateful," Beckford-Onar said. For Joseph Rice, it was his first time getting a passport and flying out of the country. "I was never thinking I would be in line at 20, 22, 23 years old getting a passport to go to Africa," he said. While the program was initially geared toward Black men, they've expanded it to everyone. "It changed me to not procrastinate, to not give up on what I want to do, and just to keep going," Donisha Stewart said. Rice is one of many students who will graduate this weekend. More than 1,000 City Colleges of Chicago students will walk across the stage inside Wintrust Arena on Saturday. Sanders said he hopes the study abroad program will inspire more students to fulfill their dreams. Sanders said the next group of students will travel to Portugal in June.
