William M. Beavers, Cook County Commissioner, D-4th District, and AT&T, are among several honorees and corporations that will receive recognition and high praise when the Chicago Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce celebrates 77 years of service to the minor
William M. Beavers, Cook County Commissioner, D-4th District, and AT&T, are among several honorees and corporations that will receive recognition and high praise when the Chicago Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce celebrates 77 years of service to the minority and women-owned business communities on Friday at its annual “Evening with Friends Gala” at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel. Additional honorees include Robert Blackwell Sr., CEO of Blackwell Consulting; Kimbrel Stephens, of Armor Medical Supply; Eric Dobyne, regional director, U.S. Dept. of Commerce; Dr. Aaron Hamb, chief medical officer, Provident Hospital; Rhonda Stivers, CEO, Education Resource Group; Ernest Brown, president, Brown & Momen Inc.; Ron Lofton, president of Black McDonalds Owners/Operators; AT&T; and Wal-Mart. Headed by Carnice Carey, executive director, and founded in 1933, CCC was organized to promote the development of a broader economic base through the creation and strengthening of new businesses and the expansion of under-utilized business enterprises. The interracial partnership of corporate and small firms, community organizations, institutions and leaders works in strategic alliance with others throughout Chicagoland and Illinois. CCC operates programs that help small businesses to prosper, that help major corporations reach broader markets and quality suppliers and that encourage everyone to work towards building greater wealth. Terisa Griffin, multi-talented vocalist, will provide entertainment for the evening of recognition and revelry. Call (312) 499-0611 or visit www.cosmococ.org. Congrats to – Wheeler G. Coleman, vice president and chief technology officer at Health Care Service Corp., on his election to the board of directors of Northern Illinois Univ.’s Alumni Ass’n, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the growth and development of NIU and to serving as a communication link between alumni and the university. Coleman, with degrees from NIU and Notre Dame, brings more than 25 years of experience and leadership to his new role where he manages more than 100 employees in four states. Coleman serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Black Ensemble Theatre and was named Chicago United’s “Leader of Color in 2007” and a “Fellow of Leadership in Greater Chicago” in 2006. Sweet Jazz & Gospel – Spend “Sweetest Day” afternoon, noon to 4 p.m., with your fave “sweetie” listening to jazz and gospel during a Scholarship Luncheon at Norm Bolden’s Room 43, 1041 E. 43rd St., hosted by the Chicago Chapter of The Drifters, Inc.. Rendering entertainment for Saturday’s fundraiser: Drifter sisters, Tammy McCann-Simpkins (jazz) and Sheryl Sawyer McGill (gospel). Pick up tickets from members, Debbie Rountree, president, Sylvia Ragland, Aleater Webster, Linnie A. Sims, Jacqueline Craig, Mabel Waters, Cynthia Wilson Lance, Loistene Rountree, Verbie Jones-Smith, Mallorie Garner, Jacqueline Akins, Shirley Roberts, Pamela Thomas-Hall, Evelyn Nabors and “Teesee.” Or call (312) 925-6511. Besides good food and good music, something extra: a cash raffle! Sure hope to see you there! Oops! My Bad! – By error, I omitted my pal, Dr. Vanessa Moore Atkins, principal of Parker Jr. High School in south suburban Flossmoor, when listing recipients of the 2010 Echoes of Excellence awards to be given by the Joliet Area South Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. An Oct. 30 luncheon at the Holiday Inn in Matteson will honor and celebrate outstanding African American women in the area who have exemplified “excellence in their chosen career and for their rich contributions to the community.” Other honorees: Shahari Moore, Lynn Richardson, Toyia M. Peters, Dr. Helen Burleson, Cheryl L. Woodson, Rev. Alise Barrymore and this columnist. For $55 tickets or more info, contact Roslyn N. Matthews, chair, (708) 802-1213. Valarie Sims-Rucker is chapter prez. Newsy Names – It’s official! Regina Taylor, resident artistic associate of the Goodman Theater, is making Chicago her home. On Tuesday, Goodman chairman, Patricia Cox, along with Peter and Linda Bynoe, Les Coney, Joan Clifford, Brett Hart, Rod Sierra, Rebecca Ford Terry and Neal Zucker hosted a welcoming event for her at the Arts Club of Chicago where she shared insights on her exciting and emotional upcoming trilogy, The Trinity River Plays. It’s a World-Premiere production of three interlinked plays that will make its Chicago debut at the Goodman in January … Prophetess and evangelist Dr. Ingrid E. Bridges will guest speak on Sunday, 4 p.m., when Greater St. Titus Church Of God In Christ, 649 E. 63rd St., celebrates the 18th year of leadership of Bishop and Mrs. Carl Bogus (First Lady Dorothy) … Rev. Michelle Hughes, interim senior pastor of the Congregational Church of Park Manor, UCC, is preparing for Saturday’s free concert of the Fisk University Choir, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., in the church sanctuary, 70th and King Dr. Originally known as the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the group of nationally and internationally acclaimed young men and women students and vocal artists sing and travel worldwide. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Christopher A. Duke, a 1991 Fisk grad and an adjunct professor of music … Dr. Donald Hugh Smith will be the guest speaker when the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies of Northeastern Illinois University, 700 E. Oakwood Boulevard, calls home all alumni, former faculty, university administration, current and former members of the NEIU Board of Trustees and friends to the Inaugural CCICS Alumni Mixer on October 20, 7 p.m., preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m. The evening’s theme is “Come Back Home to Your Educational Roots.” Call (773) 268-7500. It’s Classic! %uFFFD– A long-time fave award-winning on-air radio personality and indeed an authority on contemporary music – none other than Richard Steele! %uFFFD%uFFFD– returns once again to host%uFFFD the 2010-2011 Classical Tapestry subscription series, which kicks-off Oct. 29, 8 p.m.. with van Zweden/ Brueggergosman, J. L. Adams/Mahler/ Shostakovich and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Center, Michigan Avenue and Adams Street. The series continues on Jan. 30, 3 p.m., with Anthony McGill, Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax; and March 25 with “An Evening of Jazz with Branford Marsalis and Terence Blanchard.” The three concerts (prices per seat range from $75 – $165) include exclusive pre- and post-concert receptions, free food and beverages with fellow music lovers, post-concert meet-and-greets with featured guest artists. Steele and his co-host, Jim Fahey, Symphony Center Presents’ director of programming, provide an insightful exploration of the music being played that evening, complete with a Q&A session where you can ask anything you have ever wanted to know about the music, the artists and more. The concerts%uFFFD celebrate the musical talent of today’s leading African American artists through the three unique and diverse concert experiences. For more info and to order a three-concert subscription, call Patron Services at (312) 294-3000. Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender
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