Shanzeh Ahmad

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Shanzeh Ahmad

When Shermann “Dilla” Thomas was suddenly let go from a job at ComEd in September after 13 years, he was not sure what to do about his future. But a few months later, Thomas, who is widely known as Chicago’s urban historian with his catchphrase “everything dope about America comes from Chicago,” is starting to settle into a new role as the brand ambassador and chief of social media for the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.

1 month ago | thederrick.com | Shanzeh Ahmad

Buying nail polish or ordering frozen meat for delivery can seem pretty routine. But one Chicagoland couple is working to make such products and services more readily available and accessible to America’s growing Muslim population. Iqra Isphahani, 30, and her husband, Ibrahim Ali, 33, own 786 Cosmetics and Boxed Halal. The couple, who live in Barrington, started the businesses after identifying needs within the Muslim community that they wanted to help meet.

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Shanzeh Ahmad

Buying nail polish or ordering frozen meat for delivery can seem pretty routine. But one Chicagoland couple is working to make such products and services more readily available and accessible to America’s growing Muslim population. Iqra Isphahani, 30, and her husband, Ibrahim Ali, 33, own 786 Cosmetics and Boxed Halal. The couple, who live in Barrington, started the businesses after identifying needs within the Muslim community that they wanted to help meet.

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Shanzeh Ahmad

Stefania Marzelia remembers taking her first sip of coffee over 10 years ago at a diner with her paternal grandfather, who she described as a “huge coffee drinker.” She said a weekend at her grandparents’ house meant the constant waft of “around-the-clock caffeine.” That day, her grandfather encouraged the then-teenager to try the local diner’s brew. “I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, but I took a sip and was like, ‘Wow, I really like this,’” Marzelia said.

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Shanzeh Ahmad

Stefania Marzelia remembers taking her first sip of coffee over 10 years ago at a diner with her paternal grandfather, who she described as a “huge coffee drinker.” She said a weekend at her grandparents’ house meant the constant waft of “around-the-clock caffeine.” That day, her grandfather encouraged the then-teenager to try the local diner’s brew. “I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, but I took a sip and was like, ‘Wow, I really like this,’” Marzelia said.