Foundation Fundraiser–Dr. Terry Mason, Commissioner of the Chicago Dept. of Public Health, emcees “Gala 2008: Partners in Healthcare,” a fundraiser for Provident Foundation on April 26 at the Hyatt McCormick Hotel. Honorees: two husband-
Foundation Fundraiser–Dr. Terry Mason, Commissioner of the Chicago Dept. of Public Health, emcees “Gala 2008: Partners in Healthcare,” a fundraiser for Provident Foundation on April 26 at the Hyatt McCormick Hotel. Honorees: two husband-wife teams, Dr. Yele Akande, chair/CEO, University of Health Sciences at Antigua School of Medicine (U.S. Office), San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Dr. Deborah Robinson- Akande of Gentle Dental Services; James E. Patrick of Smart Medical Technology, Inc.; Sandra D. Patrick, R.N., of Darien Home HealthCare Inc.; and Dr. Wayne Watson, Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago.
Woman’s Worth–In observance of Women’s History Month, Jamel Meeks, beloved “first lady” of Salem Baptist Church, and Maureen Forte, popular radio host (N’ the Know with Moe on WCFJAM), educator and community advocate, receive high honors at Grace Today Magazine’s second annual Awards Dinner “in celebration of the achievements of women.” Also to be saluted on March 29 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago are Michelle Williams, former singer with Destiny’s Child; Barbara-Wright Pryor, classical soloist, educator and music critic; and Cheryl E. Woodson, M.D., of Woodson Medical Center, and author of To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience, A Doctor’s Advice on Finding Hope, Help and Health. Shawntrice Smith is editor of "Grace Today," a national women’s lifestyle magazine written from a spiritual perspective. For tickets, call (708) 339-9301. Partial proceeds will benefit an organization that works with teen girls.
The Guys Have It–Walter Mosley, most widely known as author of the series of best-selling mysteries featuring Easy Rawlins, a Black detective living in the Watts neighborhood of L.A., comes our way to co-host a Democracy Initiative fundraiser with Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti, Rev. Dr. Leon D. Finney Jr. and Atty. James D. Montgomery on Thursday, 7 p.m., at Third World Press, 7822 S. Dobson. D.I. is a non-partisan organization that encourages Americans to become civically involved outside of the two-party system. Admission is free, but contributions will be appreciated. To RSVP and/or make a donation, call (773) 651-0700.
Home Expo–If you’re a first-time home buyer, interested in real estate investing, or if you need to sell a home and don’t know what to do or where to begin, carve out some time on Saturday between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to obtain valuable info on the current real estate market. Hosted by D’Estee Inc. and the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the free 2008 Homeownership Expo at 4525 S. King Dr., is spearheaded by the chapter’s Economic Development Committee, chaired by Carron Woods, the sorority’s Midwest Region Homeownership Initiative coordinator, and Sheila Wilkinson- Sanders. Real estate experts will conduct workshops on home buying and selling, and vendors will focus on financing, credit repair and the foreclosure crisis.
Milestones–So sorry to hear of the passing of a long-time pal, Donald C. Williams Sr. (we all called him “Duck”), retired U.S. Postal employee, whose funeral was at St. Mark United Methodist Church. Condolences to his wife of 55 years, Connie; daughter, Tracey Dion; and son, Donald Courtney (Ruth). We remember Connie and Duck celebrating their golden anniversary cruising the high seas with a large contingent of kinfolk and friendfolk.
Also, our sincere sympathy to photographer Cherisse Linder on the loss of her beloved mom, Bernice, who was a valuable assistant to Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th). She is also survived by a son, James, and a sister, Isabel Ware. Services were at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church.
Belated 40th anniversary wishes to Agis and Irby Fields Bray, a pair of retired South Shore teachers who now enjoy the luxury of world travel, and Agis’ spry mom, Clara Bray, celebrated her 96th birthday with her doting family at a lovely champagne dinner at The Parrot Cage Restaurant where the wait staff serenaded her.
Newsy Names–Media sis, Emilie McKendall, co-host of “The G. Garvin Show” Saturdays on WVON 1690AM, is inviting us to join her for “Shoe Diva Shopping on State St,” March 27, 5-8 p.m., in Macy’s 4th floor Women’s Shoes. Enjoy music, light edibles and special offers. Partial proceeds will help underprivileged girls get prom shoes.
Peggy Montes is all smiles as she looks forward to the much anticipated Grand Opening of her long-awaited Bronzeville Children’s Museum, 9301 S. Stony Island, toward the end of May. The museum has been temporarily housed in Evergreen Plaza.
Book Look–Award-winning historian, Lerone Bennett Jr., author of 10 books, including the classic study of African-American history, Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America and Forced into Glory: Abraham Lincoln’s White Dream, discusses and signs books on Thursday, 6-8 p.m., at eta Square, 7558 S. South Chicago. In Before the Mayflower, a seminal study, Bennett examines the Black experience in America starting from its origins in West Africa up to the present day. He received the American Book Award for Forced Into Glory, which challenges the notion of Abraham Lincoln as the “Great Emancipator.” Bennett, executive editor emeritus of "Ebony" magazine, won the Patron Saints Award of the Society of Midland Authors for his biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., What Manner of Man. Bennett’s books, poems and short stories have been translated into French, German, Japanese, Swedish, Arabic and Russian. His books will be available for sale and autographing. For more, call (773)752-3955 or visit www.etacreativearts.org.
Dance Delight–The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, paced by the brilliant Judith Jamison, artistic director, makes its annual spring sojourn to Chicago, April 16-20, at the Auditorium Theatre. One of the most highly acclaimed international ambassadors of American culture and dance, AAADT will perform a richly eclectic repertoire featuring the talents of a wide array of choreographers, including European Maurice Bejart’s innovative reworking of Fokaine’s traditional Firebird. Contact Ticketmaster, (312) 902-1500 or ticketmaster. com.
Music Mode–Our town’s New Millennium/New Music Series at the Chicago Cultural Center continues Tuesday, 7 p.m., with Andy Milne & Theory, a quintet that blends contemporary funk, groove and hip hop into jazz. Milne, the Canadian-born pianist and composer, is said to be one of the most important and respected young voices in jazz today. Awarded the “Chamber Music America New Works Commission” in 2006 and voted “Rising Star Keyboardist” by "Down Beat Magazine" in 2004, the band combines the talents of Milne, the leader, with percussive poet John Moon, saxophonist Loren Stillman, bassist Chris Tordini and drummer Kenny Grohowski – all collectively helping to re-draw and extend the boundaries of jazz.
Whazup! Whazup! – Visit the Field Museum through July 6 for The George Washington Carver Exhibit: An Extraordinary Man with a Mighty Vision. Discover the scientist and humanitarian whose ground-breaking work creating products from plants continues to influence our lives today. Call (312) 922-9410 or log on www.fieldmuseum. org.
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