It's Official! Chicago Woman Will Compete at Miss America Pageant Next Week

Happy December! 

Whether you are looking for the best holiday recipes, winding down on work commitments, or filling out scholarship applications, Chicago Southsider wants to make sure you have what you need to make the most of this month. 

Start where you are and determine where you want to go. Here are my top 3 goals: 

• Newsletter Goals. Launch Behind the Board newsletter on Monday, December 12. I'm so excited about this because I've been thinking about this newsletter for months. Behind the Board will help you go behind the scenes of the board of directors and explore what helped them land paid board positions so you can create your own game plan. Subscribe to Behind the Board.

• Apply for a Fellowship. I want to be prepared for everything that has my name on it in 2023 and I'm declaring my victory now. You should do the same. I plan to apply for a fellowship this month and will keep you posted on my progress. While on the hunt for opportunities, I compiled a list of scholarships you can apply for. If you know someone majoring in Accounting, here are some new scholarship opportunities to make the journey easier.

• Speaking Opportunities. This week I checked the box on a paid speaking engagement. I spoke to financial journalists and taught them the basics of financial statements to enhance their reporting process. My goal is to add this opportunity to my speaking portfolio this month and prep for the next training opportunity.

Plan ahead and make every moment count. Be intentional about what you want to do an 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 heads to Connecticut to compete for the title of Miss America.

• Business: Four Black REALTORS will open new Keller Williams ONEChicago Office on South Side.

• 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 of Chicago headed to Connecticut to participate in the Miss America Pageant.

On Friday, the Miss America contestants had the opportunity to ring the opening bell at Nasdaq. 

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

If Monica brings the Miss America crown back to Illinois, she will continue promoting her Social Impact, Music Uniting Souls in Communities throughout the country and serve as a role model to young women of all backgrounds.

You have a chance to help Monica become a finalist at the Miss America pageant by participating in America's Choice Voting. Read more about Monica's story and how you can support her on Chicago Southsider. 

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.

I will start sharing more news on my YouTube channel. Subscribe here to get the latest business, beauty, and brunch updates while I talk about building a stock portfolio that's bigger than your shoe collection. 

Business 

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].

Interested in sponsoring this newsletter? Email us at [email protected]. 

Visit ChicagoSouthsider.com for more content.