Chicago Woman Wins Miss America's Choice Voting And Raises Over $50K

Happy December,

Let the countdown to 2023 begin!

I want to say THANK YOU for subscribing to Chicago Southsider and joining us on this journey to share the parts of Chicago's South Side that don't always get attention in mainstream media.

Before we move into 2023, it's time to reflect on 2022 and celebrate our wins. No win is too small. Write down everything you accomplished this year to get you in the mood to enjoy more wins in 2023.

Here's what we've done here at Chicago Southsider:

1. Launched ChicagoSouthsider.com in November 2022

2. Shared our newsletter content with over 6,000 subscribers

3. Provided over 100 scholarship and grant opportunities through Scholarship Saturdays

4. Completed first journalism fellowship focused on affordable housing in Chicago

5. Transitioned our newsletter to Beehiiv

6. Highlighted the history of Chicago's South Side on Facebook Live

7. Reported LIVE from the Go Getter's Conference and Savvy Chicks in Real Estate Conference

8. Chicago Southsider's work was picked up by Yahoo Finance and Black Enterprise

9. Took a tour of Bronzeville with my 81-year-old great Aunt 

10. Covered Chicago's victories in the Miss USA and Miss America pageants

What are your goals for 2023? Plan ahead and make every moment count. Be intentional about what you want to do and where you want to go. We've compiled some events and recent news to help you create your game plan.

If you enjoy this Chicago Southsider newsletter, it would mean the world to us if you let us know what you like most about Chicago Southsider and what you want to see more of. Send us an email at [email protected].

Plan Ahead

The Nutcracker. This will take place at Joffrey Ballet Chicago from December 3 - December 27, 2022.

Chicago Auto Show. The 2023 Chicago Auto Show will take place at the McCormick Place from February 11-20th.

Chicago Black Restaurant Week. The 2023 Chicago Black Restaurant Week will take place from February 12-26, 2023.

Here's what we have in store for today's newsletter.

• Beauty: Monica Nia Jones wins America's Choice Voting at Miss America Pageant.

• Business: Top scholarships for accounting students

• Brunch: Chicago-inspired holiday recipes you can try at home.

Now, let's dive into all things Business, Beauty, and Brunch for the week.

Beauty

This week, Monica Nia Jones competed in the 2023 Miss America pageant in Connecticut. She won America's Choice Voting and landed a spot as a Top 11 finalist. Check out Monica's journey to Miss America here.

Monica is the first African American Miss Illinois crowned since 2002. Erika Harold, Miss Illinois 2002, went on to become Miss America.

Miss Chicago pageant. If you've ever dreamed of becoming Miss America, you can apply to participate in the Miss Chicago competition taking place on January 7, 2023 at the Irish American Heritage Center, Chicago.

Miss Illinois USA pageant. The 2023 Miss Illinois and Miss Illinois Teen USA pageant will take place from May 26-28, 2023 at the Braden Auditorium of Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.

Business

Accounting Scholarships. If you or someone you know plans to pursue a degree in accounting, here are some scholarships to help you fund your education. Don't forget to grab your copy of "Debt-Free Before Graduation" available on Amazon. I received a dual degree in Accounting & Finance from a private university, stayed on campus all 4 years, and traveled around the world while graduating debt-free. My book, Debt-Free Before Graduation, shows how a girl from the South Side of Chicago used scholarships, internships, and fellowships to graduate debt-free and gain access to unlimited career opportunities.

Business News. On December 2, 2022, Keller Williams ONEChicago announced that four of Chicago's influential REALTORS are teaming up to invest in and open a new KW office location on the South Side. Learn more and meet the investors on Chicago Southsider.  

Pass the Real Estate Exam in 30 Days. If you want to start 2023 off with a new certification, consider becoming a licensed real estate agent in your state. It's not as hard as it sounds if you know how to study and what you need to know. It can take a year to pass your exam or you can pass it within 30 days. I took the real estate exam in Illinois a few years ago to learn what it takes. I enrolled in a course at the beginning of October and passed the exam by November 1. Learn how you can pass your exam in less than 30 days. Tune in to the Real Estate Latte podcast and get new episodes in 2023. Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Brunch 

Love Chicago Deep Dish pizza? We've put together a list of Top Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Recipes for Vegans During the Holidays.

If you want to visit some Top Black-owned Vegan restaurants on Chicago's South Side, check out our list created by readers on the South Side of Chicago.

Debt-Free Before Graduation Challenge

1. Take a picture with the Debt-Free Before Graduation book (available on Amazon). Why? You want to create a vision of what you seek to accomplish. Look at the picture as often as you can and do what it takes to achieve your goal.

2. Send your picture to [email protected] and tag me on Instagram @charlenerhinehart. Use the hashtag #debtfreebeforegraduation. You have to make the vision so real that it has no choice but to become your reality.

3. Write a book review on Amazon after you purchase Debt-Free Before Graduation and read it. It's a quick read with six-figure tips!

4. The challenge will take place from November 12th - December 27, 2023. Winners will receive a Business, Beauty, or Brunch Gift Card and be selected during a Facebook LIVE in December and announced in an upcoming newsletter.

If you win a scholarship, let us know so that we can share in our next Chicago Southsider newsletter. We would love to congratulate you and share the news! Email us at [email protected].

Don't forget to follow the latest updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Get in Touch

Questions? Shoot us an email at [email protected].

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