Hats off to a couple of senior citizen giants in our community — Dr. Timuel Black and Rev. Willie Taplin Barrow – who’ll be honored and recognized for their immeasurable, countless contributions!
Hats off to a couple of senior citizen giants in our community — Dr. Timuel Black and Rev. Willie Taplin Barrow – who’ll be honored and recognized for their immeasurable, countless contributions!
A fave historian and my former co-worker (at City Colleges of Chicago/Olive-Harvey), Dr. Black will be awarded the prestigious Benton Medal for Distinguished Public Service at the 511th Convocation of the University of Chicago on June 9. Black becomes the very first African American to receive this special honor. Created by the University Trustees in 1967 to honor Sen. William Benton on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as chair and publisher of Encyclopedia Britannica, the medal “honors the most extraordinary service to the field of education and to the University.” This field includes “not only teachers but also everyone who contributes in a systematic way to shaping minds and disseminating knowledge.”
The beloved and legendary Rev. Barrow (a.k.a. “The Little Warrior”) will receive the coveted “Spirit of Black Wall Street Award”” on May 31 at a Fundraising Reception commemorating the 91st anniversary of the historic Original Black Wall Street of Tulsa, Okla. The event will be staged at the new offices of The Black Wall Street Chicago, 4655 S. King Dr., suite 203. The Black Economic Movement of the original Black Wall Street of Tulsa Oklahoma: 35 city blocks and over 600 Black-owned owned and operated businesses were burned down and destroyed along with 3,000 lives lost. What’s needed now: a National Black Economic Revival with today’s trillion dollar Black community consumer spending power. Rev. Willie’s grassroots work started as field director and consumer education coordinator of Operation Breadbasket, former aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and community training and organizing. Donations: $19.21 honors Year 1921; VIP, $91 honors Year 91. RSVP: (773) 392-0165.
Special Event – State Sen. Mattie Hunter will be honored for her “longtime advocacy of quality health care” at Jackson Park Hospital’s 33rd Gala Dinner-Dance at The Four Seasons Hotel on June 9. “Night on the Town” will also cite Dr. Hee H. Kim, “Physician of the Year,” and Michael J. Kelly, “Employe of the Year.” The popular dance band, Gentlemen of Leisure, will be featured along with a silent auction and special gifts. Proceeds fund the newly renovated OB/Maternity Unit and a School-Based Health Center set to open this fall. Call (773) 947-7525.
Anniversary Aura! – The Chicago Chapter of The Carrousels Inc. celebrates “Year 35” on Sunday at “Elegance in the Afternoon,” a gala luncheon ball at The Crystal Light where they’ll induct several new members: Janelle Caldwell-West, Alma Dodd, Jacqueline Coy Gist, Covette J. Hamilton, Barbara Henley, Patricia Washington Holloway, Cherlye Moore, Monica A. Thomas (mostly Carrousel daughters!). Chicago’s proud 35-year charter members: Dolores Robinson Caldwell, Leandres Christopher, Ann Dixon, Vivian Durham, Joyce Gavin-Exum, Ollie McLemore, Mildred Porter and “Teesee.” Alice M. Davis is local prez; Mae Carr, nat’l veep!
Newsy Names – Tracey Alston, CEO, Danielle Ashley Communications, is gearing up for the annual “First Ladies Luncheon” on June 16 at the Ritz Carlton … The Black Chicago History Forum presents the original story of hair, “Annie Turnbo Malone & Poro College,” a free open-to-the-public lecture by independent researcher Linda Jones on Saturday, 2 p.m., at Chicago’s oldest Black church, Quinn Chapel AME Church, 2401 S. Wabash … Historical scholar Dr. Christopher Robert Reed has received the Superior Achievement Award from Illinois State Historical Society for the publication, The Rise of Chicago’s Black Metropolis 1920-1929 … Phylicia Rashad directs Immediate Family by Paul Oakley Stovall at Goodman, June 2-Aug. 5, in the Owen Theatre. In the Bryant family’s Hyde Park home, keeping a secret is next to impossible. When the entire clan comes together for the first time in years, family secrets are exposed in a hilarious, emotional family reunion. “Modern Family” meets “Soul Food” as these siblings try to bridge their differences with a little help from God, card games and their Immediate Family. Special $39 preview ticket; call (312) 443-3800.
Congrats to Yvette Moyo Gillard, whose Real Women Cook: Building Healthy Communities with Recipes That Stir the Soul (a manual for living a healthful life) is now available at only $15. Order at RealWomenCookbook.com. Yvette’s a founder of Real Men Cook Charities Inc. and local brand manager of Real Men Cook, America’s annual Fathers’ Day family celebration. Co-author: Sharon Leslie Morgan, former owner and chef at Bojangles Soulfood Restaurant in Paris, France … Sympathy to St. Sabina’s Fr. Michael Pfleger on the homegoing of his son, Beronti, whose funeral will be held in Orlando, Fla. where he was living; burial in Chicago. Please keep Fr. Pfleger in your prayers … Also get well cheer to Pauline (Mrs. James D.) Montgomery, who is on the mend from recent spinal surgery … Nadine Abraham Thompson, founder/CEO of Sole Purpose (“beauty from within”), and Shelby Thomas, owner of My Secret Place
Spa, will be available Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Catalyst Ranch, 656 W. Randolph, in the Jitterbug Room (suite 4E), for free consultant training and product demos. Hostess: Peggy Riggins. RSVP: Jill Washington, (312) 576-7543 … Happy b’day to Roxanne Stevenson, Fr. Michael Pfleger, Gwen Osborne, Anthony Alexander, Theresa Robinson, Joi Johnson, Sylvester Whitfield, Kathy Kline, Allene Brown, Janice Bell-Ball.
Whazup! Whazup! – Attn: Job Seekers! Nat’l Ass’n of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) presents its 2012 Free Career Conference — over 1,500 jobs available! — Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Palmer House Hilton, 3rd fl. Register online @ www.HACEonline.org … Delivering Excellent Care for Mother & Baby celebrates the grand opening of Phase One of the New Delivery & Recovery Suites at Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center on May 30, 10:30 a.m., at 7531 S. Stony. Light refreshments, a tour and free parking. RSVP: (773) 947-7525 … Dr. Derek Robinson, Fred Carter and other members of Xavier Univ. (New Orleans) Alumni Ass’n of Chicago host the 16th Annual Scholarship Brunch Cruise on Lake Michigan June 10. Mystic Blue sails at noon from the Navy Pier dock. Tickets are $75; $85 if bought on the day of the event. Proceeds fund scholarships for Chicago area students at XU. Call Kimberly Henry at (708) 829-4888 or e-mail xuaaofchicago@gmail.com.
Reunion Union – 1982 graduates of Kenwood Academy High School come together July 20-22 for their 30th year reunion weekend at Ramada Inn/Hyde Park: Friday Social, 4315 S. Cottage Grove, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday Dinner-Dance, Ramada Inn/Hyde Park, 7 p.m.-midnight; Sunday Worship Service, 11 a.m.; Tour, noon; Picnic, 1-8 p.m., 5015 S. Blackstone – all for only $85 per person. Check ASAP with reunion committee members: Olla McFern (312) 852-6277, or Donna (Banks) Allen (773) 729-4351.
Graduation Smiles – Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III (center), senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, with his wife, “First Lady” Monica, and his dad, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr., following Chicago Theological Seminary’s annual Commencement Ceremony held at Apostolic Church of God. The younger Dr. Moss received his Doctor of Divinity Degree from CTS, an affiliated seminary of the United Church of Christ. Trinity’s Combined Mass Choirs provided music for the ceremony. (Photo by Theresa Fambro Hooks)
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