Teesee’s Town

A most impressive roster of Chicago’s “movers and shakers” have banned together to host a salute to a couple of women in educational who are at the top of their game – Cheryl Hyman, chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago,

  A most impressive roster of Chicago’s “movers and shakers” have banned together to host a salute to a couple of women in educational who are at the top of their game – Cheryl Hyman, chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago, and Mary B. Richardson-Lowry, president of the Chicago Board of Education. The evening of recognition and revelry, themed Moving Education Forward for Our Children, is set for Friday, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., at the Parkway Ballroom.

      And among the nearly 50 members of the cocktail reception’s host committee: John W. Rogers Jr., Melody Spann-Cooper, Cliff Kelley, Cong. Danny K. Davis, Margaret Garner, Dr. Wayne Watson, Bishop Arthur M. Brazier, the Rand brothers (Everett and Tim), Larry Huggins, Hermene Hartman, Rev. Clay Evans, Fr. Michael Pfleger, Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, Michael Scott Jr., Rev. Sen. James Meeks, Carole Brown, James Bell, Rev. Dr. Leon Finney, Cliff Rome, Rev. Jeanette Wilson, Jim Reynolds, Cecil Butler, Langdon Neal, Dr. Conrad Worrill, Bill Garth, McGhee Williams Osse, Lewis Myers, Jonathan Jackson, Sharon Gist Gilliam, Terry Peterson, Demetrius Carney,  Bishop Cody Marshall, et al.

    Dance Diva – Iconic arts supporter and philanthropist Sandra Rand helped jump start Muntu Dance Theatre’s Summer Concert & Gala with a private soiree in her lovely Kenwood home which netted nearly $50,000 for the renowned African dance company. Cultural Bridges: The Primus Project is scheduled for July 17, at the Harris Theater. Millie Cruzat, Cheryl Blackwell Bryson, Barbara R. Bowles, Michelle Collins and others joined gala co-chairs Rand and Angela Pace-Moody. Amina Dickerson is honorary chair.  Call (773) 241.6086.

    Benefit Bash –  Langdon Neal and Jeanette Sublett together with Jennifer Aubrey and Jonathan Harries are co-chairs of Facing History and Ourselves’ annual benefit dinner, Celebrating 20 Years in Chicago, on May 5 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The $500 per person major fundraiser kicks off with a 5:30 p.m. reception followed by dinner and the program. Making this year’s benefit even more exciting is the special appearance by Dave Eggers, a finalist for the 2006 National Book Critics Award and winner of France’s Prix Medici for What Is the What. Eggers will speak about what individuals can do to make a difference, how the power of an individual’s story transcends and what he has done to make a difference in our world.

   FH&O began by training 30 teachers in five schools on how to engage students in subjects no one else wanted to talk about: the origins and terror of anti-Semitism; of racism, prejudice and bigotry; and the importance of history in making moral choices in their own lives. Today those 30 are nearly 2,600 Chicago-area educators who have participated in professional development programs.  The network reaches almost 260,000 middle and high school students annually in over 675 public, private and parochial schools, almost half Chicago Public Schools. Previous benefit speakers have included Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, then-Sen. Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Terrence Roberts and Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine. Wanna know more? Call (312) 726-4500 or visit www.facinghistory.

    Silver Celebration – After a four-year hiatus, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s signature spring gala, Not Just Song and Dance, returns as one of the city’s most exciting events with a special performance by the iconic music group, The Bangles. (Remember Walk Like an Egyptian?) AFC revives the black-tie affair on May 1 at the Hilton Chicago to commemorate 25 years as a driving force in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, dine on a delectable four-course dinner, have a chance to bid on extravagant packages during a silent auction and dance the night away, all while raising funds for AFC.    Marking its 25th anniversary this year, AFC is a leader in the worldwide fight against HIV/AIDS. Founded in 1985, by community activists and physicians, it collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; funds and coordinates prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champions effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy. Tickets are $500 per person. Call (312) 922-2322 or visiti www.aidschicago.org.

      For Openers – Merri Dee was co-host along with Dan T. Cathy, president and COO of Chick-fIl-A, when lots and lots of locals packed the massive Chicago Illuminating Co. for a food and fun-filled premiere event celebrating the expansion of the Atlanta-based chain into the Chicagoland area. Construction has begun on three stand-alone restaurants in Aurora, Orland Park and Wheaton. Chick-fil-A plans to open 20-25 eateries in the Chicago area over the next five years. And glad to hook-up again with Brenda Green, formerly of WGN-TV, at the earlier VIP Reception. She’s now the chain’s publicity and public relations director.

    Newsy Names – Happy b’day to Leah Hope, Tangee Johnson, D. Michelle Flowers and Tina Andrews … And happy 51st anniversary wishes to Ollie and Nelson McLemore … So sorry to hear of the death of a former colleague, Faith Charles Christmas, Defender news reporter and school teacher. Her funeral was last week at Carter Funeral Home … And condolences to the family of Cheryl Ann Milele Nuru Simms, owner of Harvest One Health Food Store in South Shore. She was also a caterer and one of the first African American vendors at Taste of Chicago. Her funeral was Saturday at A.A. Rayner & Sons. Both of these sisters will be missed!

     Fest Fun – Now that “spring has sprung,” let’s look to warmer weather and lakefront music presented by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. The 26th annual Gospel Music Fest is June 5-6 in Millennium Park with the top performer yet to be announced. Already confirmed, however: Dr. Ricky Dillard & The New Generation Chorale (New G) and the “Queen of Gospel Music” Albertina Walker joined by Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews and Delores Washington or as they’re also known, The Caravans … The three-day Chicago Blues Fest begins June 11 in Grant Park, this year celebrating the 100th birthday of Howlin’ Wolf and a Sunday closing with TK Soul. Also, Grammy nominated artists for Chicago Blues: A Living History: Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch and Lurrie Bell.

     On Revue – The Black Panthers: Making Sense of History, a traveling exhibit organized by Aperture Foundation, opened Tuesday at the DuSable Museum during a Members’ Exclusive Viewing & Celebration. Photos by Steven Shames provide an electrifying visual history of the Black Panthers. The images are further illustrated in his book with an essay by Charles E. Jones, preface by Shames and foreword by Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale.

     Honor Time – Quinton de Alexander and Creativity United honor a bevy of women at How Great Thou Art at Trinity United Methodist Church, 99th and Winchester, on May 8. Among ladies cited “for giving freely of their time and services to enrich the lives of others:” Rev. Helen Carry, State Rep. Constance Howard, Emilie McKendall, Bobbie Steele, Jessica Pearson-Cain, Merry Green, Antoinette Wright, Candace Jordan and Carol Dunbar. Entertainment: Earl Calloway and Reginald Torian, vocalists. Call (773) 621-3372. 

Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender. 

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