Martin Luther King III, the eldest son and oldest living child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, comes to town April 3, which marks the eve of his father’s assassination day, to keynote a Gala celebrating the opening of the Dr. K
The Dream Lives On! – Martin Luther King III, the eldest son and oldest living child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, comes to town April 3, which marks the eve of his father’s assassination day, to keynote a Gala celebrating the opening of the Dr. King Legacy Apartments, 1550 S. Hamlin, historically built on the very sight in the North Lawndale community where Dr. King resided briefly some 45 years ago. It was during his Chicago Campaign to highlight the deplorable living conditions and poverty of African Americans in the urban north. It was the only place in the north were Dr. King ever lived.
The night of commemoration at McCormick Hyatt Hotel is being organized by Westside Federation of Chicago, Safeway Companies, Marcy Newberry, Chicago Youth Centers and Lawndale Christian Development Corp. The 45 units of quality, affordable rental housing on a four-acre site were built to honor Dr. King’s work for fair housing and place the legacy of his “dream” into action. Apartment leasing kicked-off on MLK Day (Jan. 17, 2011) with over 300 applications. Community heroes who represent the spirit of Dr. King will also be cited.
Among other celebration spearheads: Kimberlie Jackson, LCDC’s executive director, and Rev. Randall W. Harris Sr., WFC president. In addition to the housing units, there will also be the MLK Fair Housing Museum, a memorial to Dr. King, a campus park in conjunction with the William Penn Elementary School, a job training center and a public library. Co-sponsoring the recognition and revelry event is Citibank, Safeway Companies and Weis Builders. Cliff Kelley emcees.
“I’m delighted to participate in this Gala,” said King. “My father would be very pleased that quality housing is being made available in North Lawndale. This project is a wonderful stepping stone toward fulfilling his dream in Chicago.” Tickets at $125 can be reserved by calling (773) 762-8889.
Art Smart – Have you moved into a new space? Are you considering redecorating? Do you have art under the bed or in a closet and not on the wall? Here’s an event just for you! Diasporal Rhythms, a non-profit group of passionate collectors of contemporary African American art, present the first in an Art Smart Series on Saturday, 2 p.m., at 4037 S. Drexel, featuring Shyvette Williams, artist and interior designer who will lead a fun and educational workshop with smart design tips to optimize space, introduce fine art into your home and banish decorating blahs! She’ll also discuss her art and the art-making process from conception to exhibition.
Tickets at only $25 must be purchased in advance via Pay Pal at www.diasporarhythms.com or call Dan Parker, (773) 288-2209. Refreshments will be served. DR accomplishes its mission of growing the group and expanding appreciation of the visual arts culture and of the contemporary artists who create it by hosting workshops, seminars, tours and special events. Next in the series: Theodore Feaster, Juarez Hawkins and Dalton Brown.
Doctor in the House – Hats off to Greg Hinton, U.S. Cellular‘s chief diversity strategist, a giant supporter of our community and fav-o-rite friend, who has been accepted into the Ph.D. Degree Program at Benedictine University’s Center for Values Driven Leadership. CVDL “offers research, education and outreach opportunities to help business leaders forge new paths to profitability … a gathering place where top executives, entrepreneurs and thought-leaders come together to innovate at the forefront of values-driven business practice.” Way to go, Dr. Hinton! Betcha the Hintons of Hintonville, Miss’ssippi are beaming with pride!
Wednesdays’ Words – Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 600 E. 35th St., pastored by Rev. Patrick L. Daymond, presents its on-going Lenten Series, Wednesdays in the Word: Preparation on the Path, The Parables of Jesus, through April 13 with Rev. Sandawna Ashley (Morgan Park Presbyterian), Rev. Ozzie E. Smith Jr. (Covenant United Church of Christ), Rev. Dernard D. Newell (Logan Street Baptist), Rev. Reggie Weaver (First Presbyterian) and Rev. Yehiel Curry (Shekinah Chapel). Call (312) 225-5300.
Communicatin’ – Chicago-based Burrell Communications (Fay Ferguson and McGhee Williams Osse are co-CEOs; retired Tom Burrell founded the company some 50 yeas ago) has been tapped by Comcast as its “agency of record” for African American consumer marketing advertising. Burrell, a full-service marketing communications company with offices in Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles, will provide advertising and media services to help Comcast reach Black consumers and also support its digital and social media efforts … And public relations maven, Tracey Alston (Danielle Ashley Communications) hosts a weekly radio show, Let’s Be Healthy, Saturdays, 8 a.m., on WLFM/87.7. Also, Tracey says that Walgreens has extended the shelf life of her calendar whose goal is to raise $100,000 for HBCU institutions. The 13-month African American resource guide is titled Journey Through African American History.
Newsy Names – Josephine and Herman Roberts, the millionaire motel magnate “back in the day,” will compete against each other in the Third Annual Charity Gumbo Cook-Off at the formerly named Captain’s Hard Time Dining (now Josephine’s Cooking) on April 29, 1 p.m. For the past two years Josephine has retained the title, “Gumbo Champion,” defeating Bishop Larry Trotter and CNN’s Roland Martin. For tickets, call (773) 487-2900 … Happy b’day to Chef David Blackmon, Dr. Helen Davis Gardner, Gina Hemphill-Strachan, Fred Dunham, Victor Scott, Marlow Colvin, Pepper Miller, Fannie M. Smith, Rev. Donald Register, Aushia Wilkes and Fannie M. Smith.
Motown Mode – Writer, producer, director John Ruffin’s Motown in Chi-Town, on stage each Thursday night through March (and possibly April) at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, is an exciting and colorful musical journey with a host of talented “pretend” Motown super-superstars who are second-best to the real deal: <span style="font-size: 11
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