Hosted by Platinum Public Strategies, the annual Black Girl Magic! High Tea, took place on Saturday, March 7th, in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. With this year’s theme being, “An Equal World is an Enabled World,” they honored African American women and the work that they have done to advance the state of Illinois.
Attendees were encouraged to come dressed in their most elegant all-white attire and received crowns upon entering the venue. The crowns, used to celebrate the queen in them, were used as a way to introduce, acknowledge, and celebrate one another. Throughout the event, guests were treated to a live band, photo booth, passed hors d’oeuvres, curated cocktails, champagne, and of course, tea.
Honorees for 2020 included:
- Felicia Davis, President & CEO, Chicago Foundation for Women
- Erickajoy Daniels, SVP & Chief Diversity Inclusion Officer, Aurora Healthcare Inc.
- Kim Du Buclet, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
- Kim Foxx, State’s Attorney, Cook County
- Helene Gayle, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Community Trust
- Sonya Harper, State Representative, IL House of Representatives
- Nicole Hayes, President & CEO, Pier 31
- Janice Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools
- Dr. Donna S. Leak, Superintendent of CCSO 168, Vice-Chair State Board of Education
- Angel Perez, Director of External Affairs, Comed
- Charise Williams, Director of External Affairs, Chicago Federation of Labor
- Andrea Zopp, President & CEO World Business of Chicago
As each of the honorees were presented, they received individual introductions by Platinum Public Strategies founder, Kimberly McCullough-Starks, in addition to bouquets, before sitting down for a round table discussion where they were asked: “How do you believe you are connected to each of the six categories in the role that you are in today?” and How can we women in the room help and support you in the role that you’re in right now?”
Honorees expressed their gratitude and emphasized the importance of voting, filling out the Census, and education. Cook County State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx, said, “This isn’t about Kim Foxx running for office again, this about the women who came before us. I look at it as a relay race. A race that was started long ago by people like Harriett, Sojourner, Ida, Shirley. All of those who couldn’t imagine the greatness that they see here for the conditions they were in, but they knew that it was their responsibility to take it as far as they could go.” She then said, “It is our responsibility to get our bodies ready to put our hands out to grab that baton and move as far as we can. Not for ourselves, but for the people that come behind us.”
The event concluded with past and present honorees, and host committee members gathering for group photos, followed by dancing, networking, and laughter amongst each of the ladies in the room.
For more information on Platinum Public Strategies, please visit www.platinumpublicstrategies.com.
-Racquel Coral, Contributing Writer
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