Chicago Public Library — photo credit: Fixedsun, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Kandiss Edwards

April 10, 2026

Chicago School Systems Transform School IDs Into Public Library Cards

On April 7, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the completion of the Chicago Public Library rollout.

Every student enrolled in Chicago Public Schools now possesses a functional library card.

The gift is part of a citywide initiative to integrate school identification badges with the Chicago Public Library system. The program, known as the “81 Club” initiative, automatically activates the library accounts for approximately 315,000 students. Student ID numbers are linked to the city’s digital library infrastructure, eliminating barriers to literacy and educational resources, such as lost physical cards or the need for parental transportation to register.

On April 7, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez announced the completion of the Chicago Public Library rollout. Students will be able to use their existing school badges to check out physical books, media, and technology at any of the city’s 81 library locations. Students also have immediate access to extensive digital collections, including e-books, professional research databases, and online tutoring services.

“This partnership demonstrates my administration’s commitment to build a more equitable and thriving city by bringing all of the government together to invest in our young people,” said Mayor Johnson. “By removing barriers and connecting young people to learning opportunities in every neighborhood, we are helping to ensure that students have access to the resources they need in school and beyond.” 

Celebrating the expansion of The 81 Club, this first-of-its-kind data-sharing agreement between @chipublib and the district puts the power of our city’s 81 public library branches directly in the hands of more than 315,000 CPS students, giving them instant access with their… pic.twitter.com/7XZbf9gK6J
— CPS – Chicago Public Schools (@ChiPubSchools) April 7, 2026

The collaboration seeks to address a persistent “library desert” effect in certain neighborhoods where students may lack easy access to a dedicated library. Making students’ School ID’s a universal access key ensures that students have a consistent connection to learning materials regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.

“At Chicago Public Library, the library is the city’s most accessible out-of-school learning space,” said Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown.

Data from the Chicago Public Library indicates that early access to diverse reading materials is a primary indicator of long-term academic success. Library officials noted that previous pilot versions of this program showed a marked increase in digital resource use among middle and high school students, who often utilize the library’s online platforms for homework assistance and college preparation.

A significant component of the new system is the removal of financial penalties. To encourage consistent use without the fear of accumulating debt, the student accounts are not subject to late fines for overdue materials. This policy change aligns with the Chicago Public Library’s broader move toward a fine-free model, which was implemented citywide in 2019, ensuring that low-income residents are not discouraged from using public resources, according to the Chicago Public Library Foundation.

The technological integration was a joint effort between the school district’s information technology department and library administrators. The teams worked to ensure that student data remains protected while allowing for a seamless transition between the school and library databases.

wellness — (Photo: Adene Sanchez/Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

April 10, 2026

Entrepreneur Turns Her Healing Haven Into Wellness Retreat

Following the sudden death of her husband, Keisha Blair transformed a section of her family estate into a specialized wellness sanctuary. This move helped spark a global movement centered on personal resilience and financial stability.

Business Insider covered the “as-told-to” tale of Blair and the development of her retreat. The retreat, located in Jamaica, emerged from Blair’s personal journey of recovery at age 31 after her husband passed away, leaving her a young widow with two small children. To heal from her grief, she took a one-year sabbatical at the property she co-owned with her parents.

After her healing sabbatical, Blair focused on capitalizing on the property as a short-term Airbnb rental. Eventually, she began to focus on renovating the property to serve as a restorative space. The project involved converting parts of the estate into a retreat center that emphasizes Holistic Wealth. To Blair, the term defines a balance between financial security, physical health, and emotional well-being.

I came to Jamaica to grieve the loss of my husband. Now, I'm turning the home that helped me heal into a wellness retreat. https://t.co/jS3h5JnQS6

Keisha Blair turned a safe haven for herself in Jamaica into a retreat for others.
Courtesy of Keisha Blair.

Keisha Blair transf…
— America's Pick (@nims213) April 8, 2026

The design of the retreat leans heavily into the natural environment of the Blue Mountains. Blair curated the space to provide guests with an atmosphere free from the distractions of modern technology and the high stress of professional life. Beyond providing a place for rest, the venture serves as a centerpiece of Blair’s broader mission to educate others about financial and emotional recovery.

The villa’s success as a wellness destination reflects a significant shift in the travel industry. Modern tourists are increasingly seeking “transformational travel,” which focuses on self-improvement and long-term lifestyle changes rather than temporary relaxation. Blair’s property has become a leading example of this trend, particularly for women looking to regain their independence after significant life transitions.

Blair’s work in Jamaica has since expanded into a broader wellness ecosystem. Through this transition from a grieving spouse to a successful entrepreneur and author, Blair has demonstrated how personal loss can be channeled into a professional legacy. The villa stands as a testament to her belief that true prosperity is found in the ability to recover and thrive after life’s most difficult moments.

RAINBOW, BABY, MOM — Photo by Riska/Getty Images

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 10, 2026

U.S. Fertility Rates Hit Record Low In 2025; Experts Cite Why Having Kids Has Become ‘Less Desirable’

The U.S. birth rate fell to a record low in 2025, with experts pointing to why starting a family has become “less desirable” among younger women.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows U.S. fertility rates reached a record low in 2025, with experts pointing to the reasons behind the decline.

The CDC released provisional data on April 8 showing U.S. birth rates have reached a new record low, extending a nearly two-decade decline, Reuters reports. Since 2007, the general fertility rate has dropped by nearly 23%. The trend mirrors global patterns, as fewer women are choosing to have children amid shifting social dynamics.

Phillip Levine, an economics professor at Wellesley College, credits the declining birth rate among younger women to “greater and more demanding job market opportunities, expanded leisure ⁠options, increased intensity of parenting… make the option to have children less desirable.”

The data, based on 99.95% of all birth records received and processed last year by the National Center for Health Statistics, a division of the CDC, as of Feb. 3, 2026, shows that the number of babies born in the U.S. in 2025 fell 1% from the previous year to about 3.6 million. The general fertility rate, measured as births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44, also dropped 1% to 53.1. While birth rates have risen among women in their 30s and 40s over the past decade, those increases have not been enough to offset ongoing declines among women under 30.

Data show the fertility rate among women ages 25 to 29 declined about 4.4% in 2025, while the rate for women ages 30 to 34 increased roughly 2.7% from 2024. Teen pregnancy also continued to fall, with rates dropping 7% for those ages 18 to 19 and 11% for younger teens ages 15 to 17—both reaching record lows.

Fertility rates are declining across countries, research shows. Recent data from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s latest Demographic Observatory show that Latin America now averages 1.8 children per woman—below the 2.1 replacement level needed to maintain a stable population. This marks a sharp shift from the 1950s, when women in the region had an average of 5.8 children.

At Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, sociologist Martina Yopo Díaz attributes the decline to the growing reality that “children, and reproduction more broadly, are playing an increasingly marginal role in the life plans of younger generations.”

Simone Cecchini, director of the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Center at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, said the shift has happened much faster than in Europe, even surpassing United Nations projections from two decades ago. Some places are already seeing the effects, with declining populations in countries like Cuba and Uruguay, as well as several Caribbean islands.

“According to our estimates, the total population of Latin America and the Caribbean will grow until 2053 and, from then on, will begin to decline on average,” Cecchini said.

Gen-Z, Broke, Work, Retire — (Photo: Uriel Mont/Pexels)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 10, 2026

Gen Z Leads Shift Workforce, Taking Up Over A Third Of Frontline Jobs In U.S.

Gen Z is taking advantage of work outside the traditional 9-to-5 to suit their goals.

Gen Z is taking over frontline jobs nationwide, holding a significant share of these shift-based roles.

Gen Z employees are steering away from traditional office dynamics and toward another sector of the workforce. A newly released study titled “The Big Shift 2026” explains the new trend of these younger workers finding freedom by clocking in.

The report was published April 7 by Deputy, a specialized staff scheduling and management software company. Its findings confirmed that workers born between 1997 and 2012 account for 41% of shift workers. This demographic accounts for the largest share of the work cohort, with millennials marginally behind at 40%.

While shift work was known for harsh hours, Gen Z has found benefits to working outside the traditional 9-to-5. Instead of feeling burdened by overnight hours, many Gen Z workers have taken advantage of the opportunity by using their daytime to fulfill other duties.

Deputy CEO Silvija Martincevic explained to Inc. how Gen Z is capitalizing on the dynamic of shift work. As Gen Z finds its footing in the healthcare, hospitality, and retail sectors, employers have taken note of its influence across industries.

“Gen-Z is not adapting to the old model, it’s reshaping it,” wrote Martincevic in emailed commentary. “For decades, shift work’s been designed around employer convenience, with fixed schedules and rigid hours. Gen Z is flipping that model on its head through micro-shifts, poly-employment, and work that fits around education and caregiving rather than competing with them.”

Since the dawn of remote and hybrid work, many Gen Z and even millennial workers have become poly-workers, holding multiple jobs to diversify their income streams. Although many traditional office jobs have returned to the office, this ideal has stuck with Gen Zers, who value the flexibility and financial freedom it offers, leading them to keep certain roles that allow this poly-work to persist.

“With Gen Z making up 55 percent of poly-workers, we see flexibility is a competitive requirement for today’s employers,” continued Martincevic. “Millennials are also undergoing their own generational transition in the workplace. Also making up a large share of the hourly workforce, they are moving into management roles. As the first generation that drove flexibility in the workforce, they are well-positioned to operationalize this shift even further.”

Furthermore, not every shift takes over the entire workday. Instead, many have grasped onto healthcare roles for their shorter shifts. This sector appeals to this generation because it allows them to showcase their unique skill set and human-focused values while still offering a strong work-life balance.

According to Martincevic, Gen Z also thrives in these roles due to their generational values. With an ingrained emphasis on self-care and wellness, Gen Zers can offer genuine care to patients. In turn, this mindset provides a better experience that builds trust and loyalty for companies as well.

Martincevic added, “Their preference for shorter, flexible shifts is helping hospitals and emergency services build more resilient teams, and their focus on well-being is showing up directly in patient-facing roles, where empathy and purpose are becoming as operationally important as efficiency.”

Gen Z already grapples with an evolving job market, as AI is reshaping work opportunities for these early-career professionals. However, their human touch and desire for a positive work experience have led them to take on unorthodox work. With their tech fluency, Gen Zers can also leverage this skill set as they forge new career paths.

Indiana Hospital ,Mother, Birth In Truck — Photo by Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images

by Jameelah Mullen

April 10, 2026

New Grants Target Preeclampsia’s Disproportionate Impact On Black Women In The U.S. And Canada

The joint initiative will award up to $85,000 to support researchers working to address preeclampsia and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.

The Preeclampsia Foundation has teamed up with Preeclampsia Foundation Canada to support emerging scholars researching preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related high blood pressure condition that disproportionately impacts Black women, who face a 60% higher risk than their white counterparts.

The organizations announced that they are accepting applications for the 2026 Vision Grant research funding program. The United States-based Preeclampsia Foundation will award two scientific research Vision Grants to study preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, with a special focus on health inequities. Each awardee will receive $20,000 USD. The Foundation’s Canadian affiliate, Preeclampsia Foundation Canada, will also award two Vision Grants: one focused on HELLP Syndrome, a severe form of preeclampsia, for up to $25,000 CAD and another focused on preeclampsia and health inequities among Black Canadians for up to $20,000 CAD.

“Black and Indigenous women in North America are more likely to develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and to have adverse outcomes,” Eleni Tsigas, Preeclampsia Foundation chief executive officer, said in a statement. “By focusing this year’s funding on research that includes and centers these highly affected populations, we hope to add to the body of research to better understand those connections, increase representation in our patient registry, and ultimately improve their outcomes.”

The Canadian Vision Grant is also known as the Maya B. Dash Vision Grant. The grant, funded by the Doane Grant Thornton Foundation, was created in honor of Cara Kernohan, who died of HELLP syndrome at 29 years old while 35 weeks pregnant. This grant will only be open to researchers in Canada.

Postdoctoral, clinical fellows, or early-stage investigators are eligible to apply. Proposed health equity projects will aim to better understand and improve outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and other underserved communities. International applications are welcome; however, submissions must be in English.

The application deadline is May 27, 2026. Winners will be notified of their awards in September 2026. For more information and application instructions, visit the Preclampsia Foundation website.

RoDina Williams, Illinoisan, Doctorate In Clinical Laboratory Science — (Photo: artisteer/Getty Images)

by Jameelah Mullen

April 10, 2026

LA’s King/Drew Magnet High School Leads In Black Student Admissions To California Colleges

The magnet school in Los Angeles’ Willowbrook district has a student body that is nearly 50 percent Black.

The Class of 2026 at King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science has a major milestone to celebrate. This year, the South Los Angeles-based school made history by sending more Black students to the University of California system than any other school worldwide.

The students gathered for a special assembly to celebrate the milestone, during which Principal Reginald Brookens reflected on the school’s rich history. In 1966, in the aftermath of the Watts riots, the district established the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science to train medical professionals in the then-predominantly Black Willowbrook community.

“We needed medical professionals who looked like the community,” Brookens told ED Source.

The King/Drew Magnet School was founded in 1982 to promote equity in healthcare access by providing students with hands-on experience in medical settings.

Brookens noted that the students’ success rate is likely due to the school’s rigorous academic program, which exceeds the school district’s required standards. Brookens also noted that all students take four years of math and science and three years of a foreign language.

“We also offer over 25 AP [Advanced Placement] courses and honors courses, so they come out competitively eligible—everybody does,” Brookens said.

King/Drew alum Dr. Jarvis Givens offered insight into the school’s historic legacy.

“The legacy of King/Drew is that it teaches students that we have strengths and that we have resources that we need from the families that we come from, the community that we come from, and those are gifts that we have to empower ourselves and to offer gifts to the world, “ The Harvard professor told Fox 11 News, Los Angeles.

“We hold high expectations for ourselves within our communities with people who look like us, with people who love us, and that’s the standard, that’s the norm,” Givens noted.

According to Ed-Data, King/Drew maintained a 100% graduation rate in 2024-25 and has consistently exceeded 95% since the 2020-21 academic year. The student body is nearly 100% Black and Latino, with each group comprising roughly half of the student body.

New Jersey, study, c-sections — (Image: iStock)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 9, 2026

Black Mamas Matter To Begin 10th Annual Maternal Health Week ‘Rooted In Justice And Joy’

The week will focus on Black maternal health topics and communal upliftment.

The Black Mamas Matter Alliance will begin its Maternal Health Week on a special day focused on the pillars of this community.

The nonprofit will kick off its 9th annual advocacy week on April 11, also known as the International Day for Maternal Health and Rights and Black Doula Day. The educational campaign will feature digital and in-person events to spark conversations on Black women’s maternal health.

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According to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE, the week-long campaign features the 2026 theme of “Rooted In Justice and Joy.” Through activities that fuel advocacy and engagement, Black Mamas Matter remains committed to justice for women in the reproductive fight, while reclaiming the joy of motherhood.

The Health Week begins with the Black Maternal Health Walk and Community Fair in Atlanta. The in-person event will connect Black mamas and their supporters for the wellness immersion. To engage with advocates on a global scale, the health week will feature a virtual webinar on birth justice.

The e-festivities will continue with a neighborhood pep rally. This virtual gathering will inspire and promote Black maternal health organizations nationwide.

Following this spirited event, a networking event will bring out Atlanta’s professionals. These industry leaders will gather to strategize on ways to build upon the movement’s cause.

This year’s activities also come amid BMMA’s 10th anniversary of the Global Black Maternal Health Movement. The organization’s co-founder, Angela D. Aina, emphasizes how Black motherhood deserves to be uplifted and safeguarded from preventable tragedy.

“As we launch our 9th annual Black Maternal Health Week, we do so rooted in both the weight of this moment and the joy of this movement,” shared Aina in a statement. “We are witnessing unprecedented attacks on Black families, on reproductive rights, and on the very institutions
meant to protect our health and dignity. And yet, we remain rooted. “

Amplifying diverse family care and support, BMMA will also open its programming to uplift trans parenthood. The virtual discussion will open the floor to trans parents and gender-expansive families as they navigate the healthcare system.

The final programming will honor the lives lost due to maternal mortality through a Community Remembrance and Healing vigil. Taking place on April 17, the ceremony will honor these women while recognizing that the fight continues in their name.

Emphasizing that community care is essential to this work, Black Mamas Matter’s Maternal Health Week aims to mobilize supporters nationwide while raising awareness of this monumental cause.

“Justice and joy are not separate — they are the foundation of everything we do,” added Aina. “BMHW26 is a time for community-rooted action in addressing maternal health inequities and ensuring that everyone, especially Black Mamas, receives the resources needed to thrive.”

Advocates can sign up for respective events on BMMA’s website.

Detroit, golf, Eastside,, Morehouse,, Earl Cooper,Olajuwon Ajanaku — Photo by Jopwell: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-white-golf-ball-on-ground-1325751/

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 9, 2026

Augusta After Dark Returns For Second Year

Kevin Hart steals the show while performing as a caddy for Bryson DeChambeau

Augusta After Dark returns for its second year on April 8 in Augusta, Georgia, featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Hart, Ray Lewis, Victor Cruz, and J.R. Smith, as well as prominent figures from golf, sports media, entertainment, and business.

The event brought together DraftKings’ most loyal customers, who were exclusively invited, to mingle with celebrities, executives, and others happy to be in the company of those involved. Taking place during Masters Week, it was put together by Sports Illustrated and presented by Venmo and the sports betting company.

“After an unforgettable debut last year, we’re excited to bring Augusta After Dark back for a second year with Sports Illustrated,” said Shawn Henley, chief customer officer at DraftKings, in a written statement. “This event is designed to celebrate our loyal customers with a premium experience that matches the scale of the week in Augusta.”

According to Yahoo Sports, Hart made a memorable appearance as a caddie for golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who is currently ranked No. 24 on the PGA Tour. The comedian joined DeChambeau during Augusta’s Par 3 Contest, which is played every year before the start of the Masters, which happens April 9-12 this year. Hart claimed to take his role seriously when speaking to a reporter on the green.

Hart insisted that he only had one job for the day, and that was to be DeChambeau’s caddy.

“To be the best caddy that’s ever caddied,” Hart tells the reporter. “Guys, I am not Kevin Hart, the global superstar today. Please get that out of your mental. Not the movie star, the stand-up comedian, and everybody knows around the world. Throw it in the bag. Today, I am Bryson’s catdd, OK?”

Hart goes on to say that he just started playing the game several months ago, and now he has the bug.

“I am bit by the bug, and I’m bit bad. So me being able to be here, experience this, the fans, uh, really be attached to pros like Bryson and the rest of the phenomenal group here is an amazing experience, and I’m very thankful to be a part of it.”

https://twitter.com/espn/status/2041945900134621223

Chick-Fil-A, monkeys — Photo by Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

by Jameelah Mullen

April 9, 2026

Chicago’s First Black‑Owned Chick‑fil‑A Partners With Local Sustainable Farming Group To Fight Food Insecurity

The restaurant is located in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood in 2021.

A Chicago Chick-fil-A has partnered with an urban farming organization to help expand access to fresh food across the city.

Earlier this year, Kareem Edwards, the owner of the city’s only Black-owned Chick-fil-A, donated $50,000 to Just Roots Chicago, a nonprofit that supports community farms in the city and nearby suburbs. The organization also provides educational programs, including cooking, nutritional workshops, and gardening classes.

“Really, what we are all about is trying to make sure that the food we’re growing is as fresh as it can be, and it’s staying in the community,” Just Roots Co-Founder Sean Ruane told CBS News.

Edwards noted that he met Raune after he and his family had regularly attended Just Roots Farms’ community events. He noted their shared passion for supporting the community and a desire to help advance the organization’s mission.

Additionally, Edwards’ company partners with a local food bank to donate leftover meals and to address food insecurity, a rising problem in the Chicago area.

Edwards and his wife, Janelle, also spearhead an annual back-to-school breakfast to support teachers and staff in local schools.

The Far Rockaway, Queens, native entered the restaurant business in an unconventional way after spending years on Wall Street. The entrepreneur notes that he felt unfulfilled and decided to explore options.

“If I go to business school, I understand even more about business, and then maybe I go down entrepreneurship or find something that I truly like,” the father told Essence.

After earning an MBA, Edwards landed a position at Kraft Heinz, where he led their breakthrough innovation team. He moved on to Google, where he worked as a tech maven by day and at Chick-fil-A at night to learn the business. In 2021, he opened his own franchise at 1101 South Clinton Street.

Anyone interested in learning more about or supporting Just Roots’ mission can visit the organization’s website.

trial, Kanye West, Malibu lawsuit, dress code — (Photo: MEGA/GC Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 9, 2026

Ye Sued By Former Bodyguard For Unpaid Wages

Jonathan Monroe is suing for nearly $850,000

A former bodyguard for Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, is suing him for nearly $850,000 in unpaid wages and damages, alleging violations of labor laws and wrongful termination.

According to TMZ.com, Jonathan Monroe, who worked as a full-time bodyguard for the “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” rapper, is seeking approximately $850,000, claiming he wasn’t paid all his wages.

In the legal paperwork, he is requesting damages, including $7,725 for unpaid overtime, $37,620 for lost wages, $500,000 for lost earnings, $100,000 for pain and suffering, and an additional $100,000 in punitive damages.

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Monroe claims that in a previous attempt to get his money, Ye did not respond. He also said that he filled up Ye’s Lamborghini. When he requested reimbursement for the gas, Ye allegedly ignored him.

“When I asked for cash or use of his credit card to cover the expense, [Kanye] walked away from me without a response.”

Hot 97 reported that Monroe initially filed a claim against the rapper in October 2024. He said in that lawsuit that he worked for the mercurial recording artist between 36 and 50 hours per week.

The former bodyguard claims that Ye violated several labor code violations, including “misclassification of him as an independent contractor, unpaid overtime, and unlawful withholding of wages.” He alleged that Ye wrongfully terminated him for “engaging in a protected activity.”

As the case moves forward, the lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal and public challenges facing Ye, with Monroe’s claims centering on broader issues around labor practices and worker protections. Whether the court sides with the former bodyguard or not, the outcome could have implications beyond this dispute, particularly as conversations around employee classification and fair compensation continue to evolve.