Dear Chicago Southsider Readers,
Welcome to Day 1 (Sunday, April 27, 2025) of our 21-day journey inspired by The Book of Grace at Steppenwolf Theatre.
After witnessing the story’s message about finding hope even in difficult places, I decided to dedicate the next 21 days to noticing and celebrating the “evidence of good things” happening around us in life, in work, and in community.
I’ll be honest.
I hesitated before starting this project.
Like many of us, I wondered if there was enough time, enough energy, enough light to share. But you know what? We’re doing what we can, with what we have, because right now, the world could use all the light we can find.
So today, we’re kicking things off by celebrating a few wins because no victory is ever too small to acknowledge. Here’s what we’re celebrating:
1. A New Way to Connect
Today we discovered how to post directly to Chicago Southsider’s social media channels straight from our WordPress platform! It’s a small but mighty step that will help us share local stories and updates faster. Check out the first post that was automatically added to our Chicago Southsider Facebook page.
2. Spreading Financial Empowerment
On April 27, we sent out a special newsletter breaking down key financial terms behind Pinky Cole’s remarkable business journey, including how she lost and regained ownership of her brand. Our hope is to make stories like this more accessible, understandable, and empowering for our community. If you haven’t already, join us at chicagosouthsider.substack.com so you can get the latest events and learn what words like burn rate, valuation, and Series A funding mean.
3. A New Inspiration
Seeing The Book of Grace last Thursday (April 24, 2025) sparked an idea: why not spend the next 21 days documenting the good around us? With the production running through May 18, we’re honoring the idea of ‘Evidence of Good Things” by shining a light on everyday moments of hope, growth, and possibility.
We’d love for you to join us!
If you spot something good — a kind act, a small win, a moment of light — we invite you to share it with us. Subscribe to ChicagoSouthsider.substack.com and find us on Instagram or Facebook, tag us, and post using the hashtag #EvidenceOfGoodThings.
We’ll feature some of your submissions during the challenge so we can spread more light on the South Side and beyond in the face of darkness.
Here’s to finding grace and good things every day!
See you tomorrow for Day 2 as we continue finding grace and goodness in the work we do and across Chicago.
With grace and gratitude,
Charlene
Publisher, Chicago Southsider
Get the Latest Opportunities
Every month, Chicago Southsider and our partners provide fellowships, scholarships, grants, leadership programs, and other resources to help you unlock your next level of success.
Subscribe to our newsletters to get your monthly insights.
Chicago Southsider – Meet the trailblazers and trendsetters influencing Chicago’s South Side and the upcoming events you need to know about.
Sash & Style Magazine – Gain access to upcoming pageants and exclusive interviews from pageant delegates from all over the world.
Behind the Board – Learn how to position yourself for board opportunities.
Wealthy Women Daily – A newsletter to help you build a stock portfolio that’s bigger than your shoe collection.
