Category Archives: Society and Culture
#MeToo Movement is Empowering Evangelical Women
“How the #MeToo Movement is Empowering Evangelical Women in America” By: Olivia Peera, Communications Intern In recent months, discussion of sexual harassment and...
Embrace Differences this Thanksgiving
Embrace Differences this Thanksgiving By: Crystal Magallon Interfaith Engagement Intern “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of...
An Evening of Peace Through Music
An Evening of Peace Through Music By: Crystal Magallon, Interfaith Engagement Intern On October 28th at 7 p.m., Congregation Etz Chaim’s Interfaith Committee...
The Relationship Between Religion and Hip-Hop
The Relationship Between Religion and Hip-Hop By: Sarah Wright, Public & Global Affairs Intern Ever since hip-hop originated in the South Bronx in...
The Falls: 1 Hour Remedy to Thwart Muslim Stereotypes
1 Hour Remedy to Thwart Muslim Stereotypes By: Cultureguru “Wow…what a way to blow away years of stereotypes in one evening! Everyone should...
How Low-Income Families Can Earn Refunds This Tax Season
It's tax filing season! Don’t you love this time of year? You are right, nobody enjoys filing their taxes. It takes time from...
| Tagged Earned Tax Income Credit, economics, finance, income inequality, Internal Revenue Service, IRS, Niagara Foundation, tax refunds, tax season, wage gapDr. Elizabeth Loentz Discusses Yiddish, Its Relevance in Jewish Identity
“Once Yiddish has taken hold of you...then you will no longer recognize your earlier tranquility. Then you will feel the true unity of...
| Tagged culture, Dr. Elizabeth Loentz, identity, Judaism, language, Niagara Foundation, University of Illinois at Chicago, YiddishDr. Susan Ross Talks Feminist Theology, Patriarchy, and Influential Women
On Thursday, March 17, Niagara Foundation welcomed Dr. Susan Ross from Loyola University to discuss the role of feminism within both an academic...
| Tagged Dr. Susan Ross, Elizabeth Johnson, feminism, feminist theology, Gerda Learner, Loyola University Chicago, Niagara Foundation, patriarchy, Paul TillichLinsey Maughan Talks UN Women Chicago Chapter, Fundraising, and the Importance of Education
On March 16, the Niagara Foundation welcomed Linsey Maughan to talk about the UN Women Chicago Chapter as a part of the “Public...
| Tagged chicago, feminism, gender, global issues, human rights, Linsey Maughan, Niagara Foundation, social justice, UN Women, United Nations, USNC-UN WomenClimate Change and Its Effects on Pollinators, Plants, and Food
Climate change is happening now! Yes, I understand this might be an obvious statement. However, we have a lack of knowledge about the...
| Tagged agriculture, climate change, crops, ecosystem, food, global warming, honeybees, Niagara Foundation, phenology, plants, pollinationFIF: Reverend Marrice Coverson on “What is Spiritualism?”
| Tagged Christianity, Niagara Foundation, religion, Reverend Marrice Coverson, spiritualism, spirituality, The Church of the Spirit of ChicagoFIF: Dr. Elizabeth Loentz on “The Meaning of Yiddish in Jewish Identity”
| Tagged culture, Dr. Elizabeth Loentz, identity, Jewish identity, Judaism, Niagara Foundation, religion, spirituality, values, YiddishFIF: Dr. Susan Ross on “Feminist Theology”
We are pleased to invite Dr. Susan A. Ross, Professor of Theology and a Faculty Scholar at Loyola University Chicago, on March 17,...
| Tagged Dr. Susan Ross, feminism, feminist theology, Friends in Faith, Loyola University Chicago, Niagara Foundation, religion, spirituality, TheologyKate Bensen Discusses Struggles and Gains for Women in the Workplace
On March 2, the Niagara Foundation had the pleasure of welcoming Ms. Kate Benson, J.D. to our flagship office in downtown Chicago. In...
| Tagged corporations, equal rights, feminism, International Women's Day, Kate Bensen, Niagara Foundation, nonprofits, The Chicago Network, workplace rightsPJ Cannon Introduces Niagara to Rastafari Beliefs and Practices
On February 23, the Niagara Foundation had the pleasure of hosting PJ Cannon, Jr. for a Friends in Faith event on Rastafari beliefs...
| Tagged Haile Sallasie, Jamaica, Marcus Garvey, PJ Cannon, RASTA Radio, RastafariSallie Latkovich Speaks on Biblical Study Programs at CTU, Her Experiences Traveling in the Middle East
On February 18, the Niagara Foundation had the pleasure of hosting Sallie Latkovich to discuss the benefits of religious studies abroad. Latkovich, C.S.J.,...
| Tagged Biblical study, Catholic Theological Union, Christianity, CTU, Egypt, Greece, Interfaith, islam, Israel, Jordan, Judaism, Middle East, Palestine, Sallie Latkovich, Study abroad, travel, travel programs, turkeyYemen, Iran, and Syria: The 2016 State of the Middle East Forum on the “Crisis in the Gulf”
On February 17, the Niagara Foundation hosted the annual “State of the Middle East Forum” at Roosevelt University’s Fine Arts Building. The forum...
| Tagged 2016 State of the Middle East Forum, Dr. David Faris, Iran, Middle East, State of the Middle East Forum, Syria, Yemen“Gloomy Days”: Brazil, the Olympics, and the Zika Virus
Brazil is going through a challenging period: it is facing an economic crisis stemming from record low oil prices and political corruption, and...
| Tagged 2016 Summer Olympics, Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, World Health Organization, Zika virusFebruary 20 is World Day of Social Justice
oday is World Day of Social Justice. This day is recognized by the U.N. and its member states and was officially created in...
| Tagged development, globalization, human rights, Niagara Foundation, social justice, United Nations, World Day of Social JusticeProfessor Benjamin Zeller Discusses Relationship Between Religion and Food
On February 9, the Niagara Foundation had the pleasure of hosting Professor Benjamin Zeller to speak on the topic of “Religion and Food.”...
| Tagged dietary restrictions, food, identity, Lake Forest College, Niagara Foundation, Professor Benjamin Zeller, religionToday is Ash Wednesday
Today is Ash Wednesday in the Christian faith, a religious holiday which occurs 46 days before Easter. Participants fast for 40 days as...
| Tagged Ash Wednesday, Christianity, Lent, religious holidaysToday is Shrove Tuesday
Also known as Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, February 9, 2016 is Fat Tuesday, a celebratory day of colorful and eccentric costumes, rich...
| Tagged Christianity, Fat Tuesday, Lent, Mardi Gras, Shrove TuesdayToday is Chinese New Year
Today is the Chinese New Year or the “Spring Festival.” Traditionally this holiday has existed to honor ancestors and deities and to cleanse...
| Tagged Chinese New Year, cultural holidays, Lunar New Year, religious holidays, Year of the MonkeyBrian Bannon Talks Human-Centered Design, Refocused Mission for Chicago Public Library
On February 3rd, the Center for Public & Global Affairs welcomed Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon to Niagara Foundation. While the presentation...
| Tagged Brian Bannon, chicago, Chicago Public Library, Commissioner, design, information, library, literacyThe Importance of Travel
Travelers are looking for experiences that allow them to experience a different culture, understand its customs, and sample delicious traditional cuisines. Those who...
| Tagged Mexico, San Miguel de Allende, travelToday is World Cancer Day
"I believe that we need a moon shot in this country to cure cancer. It's personal. But I know we can do this...
| Tagged 2016, cancer, World Cancer DayClosing the 90 Mile Gap
This wonderful artistic collaboration proved Cubans will start to experience cultural changes in their lives, but how will this new US-Cuba relation will...
| Tagged Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Cuba, Diplomacy, tourism, travel, United StatesJeff McCarter from Free Spirit Media Speaks on Importance of Diversity, Role of Urban Youth in Media
On January 21, the Niagara Foundation had the pleasure of hosting Jeff McCarter. He is Founder & Executive Director of Free Spirit Media....
| Tagged activism, chicago, development, Free Spirit Media, journalism, media, society, youth“This is Greece”: A Student’s Experience During the Debt Crisis
“Their economic crisis is making that country very unstable, it’s not a very safe place for travelers. You should go somewhere else!” I...
| Tagged austerity, bailout, finance, Greece, Grexit, policy, recession, tourism, valuesDr. Aasim Padela Discusses Culturally-Sensitive Healthcare, Medical Ethics
On January 12, the Niagara Foundation had the pleasuring of receiving Dr. Aasim Padela for an informative Friends in Faith event on the...
| Tagged biomedicine, Dr. Aasim Padela, Ethics, healthcare, Initiative on Islam and Medicine, islam, medicineEvent Recap: Marvinetta Penn on Global Girls Inc. and the Power of the Arts
The vision of Global Girls Inc. is clear and powerful: “Globally, all girls have the ability to voice their stories, create opportunities, and...
| Tagged arts, chicago, Global Girls Inc., Marvinetta Woodley-Penn, South Side“It’s Just a Game”: How Sports and Play Affect Human Development and Interaction
In 1952 at the Fleishhacker Zoo in San Francisco, English anthropologist Gregory Bateson would make one of the most significant, academic observations on...
| Tagged Olympics, play, society, sportsHappy Thanksgiving from Niagara Foundation!
Each year, Thanksgiving lends us an opportunity to slow down and welcome each other into our homes and be grateful for what we...
| Tagged family, friends, thanks, thanksgiving, United StatesEvent Recap: John Sirek Speaks on McCormick Foundation’s Civics Program
Mr. Sirek stressed the McCormick Foundation’s mission: “to foster communities of educated and engaged citizens.” To achieve this goal, the foundation runs key...
| Tagged civics, Democracy, Education, government, John Sirek, journalism, McCormick FoundationEvent Recap: 2015 Peace & Dialogue Awards
Each year, the Niagara Foundation publicly recognizes individuals and organizations in the Chicago community who have distinguished themselves in their profession and contributed...
| Tagged Andrea Zopp, chicago, Chicago Community Trust, Community Service Award, Daniel Ash, Fethullah Gulen Award, Gesture, Lifetime Leadership Award, Niagara Foundation, Peace & Dialogue Awards, silent auction, Suzanne MorganToday is World Philosophy Day
Every person is born with the right to wonder, and the act of wonder is what gave birth to the world of philosophy,...
| Tagged Philosophy, United Nations, World Philosophy DayToday is Halloween
Halloween is a holiday where people dress up in costumes, consume copious amounts of candy and tell each other scary stories. But Halloween...
| Tagged Halloween, holidayToday is World Development Information Day
This Saturday, October 24 is World Development Information Day, which was instituted on this day in 1972 by the United Nations. The date...
Howard Learner Talks Environmental Law, Energy Efficiency
On Wednesday, October 21 at the Niagara Foundation, we hosted Howard A. Learner, the President and Executive Director of the Environmental Law and...
| Tagged ELPC, energy, energy efficiency, environment, environmental law, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Howard Learner, Niagara Foundation, technologyEvent Recap: Arshia Ali-Khan Discusses Poverty in Chicago, Lake County
On October 14th, Niagara Foundation was pleased to host Arshia Ali-Khan, Director of Business Development & Marketing for the UMMA Center. The UMMA...
| Tagged chicago, Lake County, poverty, UMMA CentersToday is World Day Against the Death Penalty
The 13th World Day Against Death Penalty will be marked on October 10, 2015. This day is to raise awareness about death penalty...
| Tagged capital punishment, death penalty, United Nations, World Day Against the Death PenaltyToday is World Post Day
On October 9, 2015, it is World Post Day. The day marks the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s establishment. The union’s goal...
| Tagged mail, Universal Postal Union, World Post DayEvent Recap: Friends in Faith with Hazim Fazlic
On October 8, Hazim Fazlic, adjunct professor of Islamic Studies at Lake Forest College and imam of the Islamic Cultural Center of Greater...
| Tagged culture, Europe, immigration, islamTomorrow is World Mental Health Day
October 10th marks World Mental Health Day, a day created to bring awareness to the stigma of mental illness. This stigma results in...
| Tagged mental health, United Nations, World Mental Health DayToday is the International Day of Older Persons!
Every year on October 1, the United Nations recognizes the International Day of Older Persons, which was established on 1990. The day is...
| Tagged International Day of Older PersonsEvent Recap: Chicago & Global Family with Sally Duros
On September 22, digital communicator, independent journalist, and Huffington post blogger Sally Duros joined Niagara Foundation to speak about “Women in Digital Media.”...
| Tagged journalism, media, news, Sally Duros, womenSunday was World Tourism Day!
Every year, United Nations’ World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27. The day aims to promote tourism and to raise awareness about...
Today is World Maritime Day!
World Maritime Day was created by the International Maritime Organization to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the...
| Tagged World Maritime DayHow Brands Produce and Maintain Belief
Currently, according to American physicist and philosopher Thomas Samuel Kuhn, we are witnessing a paradigm shift in the culture of brands and branding....
| Tagged belief, brands, Coca-Cola, NikeEvent Recap: Chicago & Global Family with Travis Rejman
On Wednesday, September 16, Travis Rejman, the founding Executive Director of the Goldin Institute joined Niagara Foundation for an intimate discussion on the...
| Tagged community, Conflict resolution, Goldin Institute, Haiti, poverty, social change, the Philippines, Travis Rejman, womenToday is the International Day of Democracy!
Every year, the International Day of Democracy is celebrated on September 15 to raise awareness about democracy. This year, in 2015, the theme...
| Tagged Democracy, United NationsEvent Recap: Chicago & Global Family with Tom Kuczmarski
On Wednesday, September 9, Thomas D. Kuczmarski, a nationally recognized expert in the innovation of new products and services joined Niagara Foundation for...
| Tagged chicago, Chicago Innovation Awards, Innovation, Tom KuczmarskiToday is World Suicide Prevention Day!
World Suicide Prevention Day is annually observed on September 10. This year, the theme of the day is to encourage people and organizations...
Event Recap: Friends in Faith with Father Larry Dowling
On Tuesday, September 1, Father Larry Dowling ofSt. Agatha Parish and St. Agatha Catholic Academy in Chicago’s North Lawndale community joined Niagara Foundation for...
| Tagged Catholicism, Conflict resolution, ViolenceToday is International Literacy Day!
Every year, on September 8, The United Nation’s International Literacy Day shines a light on global literacy need as it promotes the significance...
| Tagged International Literacy Day, literacy, UNESCO, United Nations“Different” is Good: Why Diversity Matters
We are often separated and segregated from different groups of people during our lives, however when it comes to college it is probably...
| Tagged College, DiversityA Nation of Immigrants: Why Multiculturalism Matters
Immigration today is by all means a controversial issue, but it is also the heart of this country. America is shaped and rooted...
| Tagged immigration, MulticulturalismEvent Recap: Chicago & Global Family with Jamil Khoury
On Tuesday, August 11th, Jamil Khoury joined the Niagara Foundation for a Chicago and Global Family event. As a theatre producer, essayist, playwright,...
| Tagged Asia, Middle East, Muslims, Silk Road Rising, TheatreEvent Recap: Chicago & Global Family with Charlene Carruthers
On August 12, Charlene A. Carruthers joined Niagara for a Chicago Global Family Event. Carruthers is the national director of Black Youth Project...
| Tagged Black Youth Project, Charlene Carruthers, leadership, Racial justiceWednesday was International Youth Day!
All over the globe, members of the youth population (which happens to be ¼ of the global population!) are grabbing their cameras, and...
| Tagged International Youth Day, UNHomelessness in Chicago
A 2014 report states that there are approximately 138,575 homeless people in Chicago. To help these people, the city of Chicago offers 2,064...
| Tagged chicago, HomelessnessLast Week was World Breastfeeding Week!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19op5LQ0na8vFwZzigGr9zqh7HEGxoHp1myv8wEtSExQ/edit By Alyssa Slager Communications Intern August 10, 2015 “Baby do the WABA Crawl; You can feel so big and tall; Throw the bottle to...
| Tagged UN, World Breastfeeding WeekThe Power of a Bilingual Education
Before I learned to add one plus two, I learned to añadir uno más dos. When I was five, my parents enrolled me...
| Tagged Bilingual, Diversity, Education, Intercultural exchange, SpanishTheatre, Race, and Culture
Similar to many cultural aspects of the United States, musical theatre has been largely dominated by upper-class white males as writers, composers, producers,...
| Tagged culture, Noises Off, Race, TheatreWhy Dialogue and Debate Promote Learning
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged Academics, Debate, dialogueReflections on Tunisia
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged travel, TunisiaThe Importance of Women in Combatting Food Insecurity: A Recap
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged chicago, Food insecurity, United Nations AssociationSnapStories: Understanding International Cultures Starting from the Teens
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged culture, SnapchatA Cultural Ritual: Drinking Tea in China
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged China, tea, travelThe Importance of Learning in Judaism
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged Judaism, LearningThe Value of Travel
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged Latin America, Study abroad, travelSaturday was Nelson Mandela International Day!
By Jasmin Rojo, Communications Intern July 16 Nelson Mandela International Day was declared in 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It...
| Tagged Nelson Mandela, United NationsOur Connected World
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged France, intercultural dialogue, United StatesCulture and Coexistence in a Global Society
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged Coexistence, culture, Germany, GlobalThe Impact of the Chicago Children’s Choir
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
| Tagged chicago, Chicago Children's ChoirEvent Recap: Ramadan Experience 2015
By Brianna Deigan, Communications Intern July 15, 2015 “There is an unseen sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness. We are lutes. When the soundbox...
| Tagged Food Security, Hunger, Interfaith, Ramadan ExperienceStudying Abroad in Yemen
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...
Being an International Student in the United States
The views and opinions expressed on the website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of...