Chicago Defender

Filmmaker Paul Schrader says he is turning to artificial intelligence to make his next film after Black actors declined to participate because all three of the movie’s Black protagonists were criminals. Schrader told The Playlist that his crime noir, Three Guns At Dawn, originally centered on three Black brothers: a corrupt police officer, a drug dealer and a sexual criminal.

MR SONNY KNOWS for July 30, 2025.

Current Chicago residents who lived in the city during severe 2023 and 2024 storms and experienced financial hardship as a result of storm damage can now apply for up to $15,000 in one-time financial assistance through the City’s new $15 million Disaster Relief Assistance Program.

For Myricks, saying yes to Sip N’ Slay was an easy decision. “Secretly, that was on my bucket list,” Myricks told Black Information Network. “Why would I not want to speak here? This is a room that I wish was available to me when I was in my 20s, when I was deciding to start a brand.” Myricks said being surrounded by people who want to see you succeed can have an impact far beyond one event.

Melissa Payne will not face criminal charges for fatally shooting 62-year-old Bart DiGuglielmo during a confrontation at a North Lauderdale, Florida, Walmart, prosecutors announced Thursday (September 3). Broward County State Attorney’s Office said Payne is immune from prosecution under Florida’s “stand your ground” law because the state could not disprove her claim that she reasonably feared serious harm.

Stephen A. Smith is asking Jemele Hill and Cari Champion to release the full video of his three-hour appearance on their Flagrant & Funny podcast after portions of the conversation were mistakenly left out of the video version. Smith addressed the situation in a roughly 30-minute episode of his Straight Shooter series posted Sunday (September 6).

Newly opened campaign office will serve as a community-centered hub for residents, volunteers, and supporters Lonnie Harrison Jr. today, Sept. 7, 2026, announced his candidacy for mayor of Harvey, Illinois, during a community gathering outside his newly opened campaign office at 15917 Dixie Highway in Harvey. Harrison shared his vision for bringing residents, public institutions, businesses, faith leaders and neighborhood organizations together around a coordinated strategy for Harvey’s future.

20-Year Financial Personal Development & Edtech Firm Launches Black Wall Street Initiative For South Side Youth To combat systemic economic stagnation and interrupt financial trauma for Black youth on the South Side, premier educational technology firm Kid Millionaire Corp. has officially announced the citywide rollout of The Black Wall Street Initiative.

Stephen A. Smith sat down with former ESPN colleagues Jemele Hill and Cari Champion for a candid conversation about his career, his treatment of Black women and his increasingly political platform.

Candidate Pledges to be a Mayor for ALL of Chicago Over 100 Latino faith leaders representing numerous congregations and denominations joined together this morning to announce their endorsement of Dr. Willie Wilson to be the next Mayor of Chicago. Held at the Shekinah a Las Naciones Church in Humboldt Park, the event showcased Dr. Wilson’s strong support in the Latino community and his deep relationships with faith leaders throughout the city.