A quartet of noted
individuals receive special awards for “outstanding contributions to society,
the city and the world through their careers and civic engagement” during
DuSable Museum’s annual fundraising gala, “A Night of 100 Stars,” on April 2 at
the museum. The lavish and spectacular formal evening of cocktails, hors
d’oeuvres, lavish buffet supper and world-class entertainment will recognize Tim King,
founding president and CEO of Urban Prep Academies; Chaz
Hammel-Smith Ebert (Mrs. Roger), executive producer of Ebert
Presents At the Movies and wife of Sun-Times
film critic; Tom Joyner, host of syndicated radio’s Tom Joyner
Morning Show; and Jeremy Winters,
Simeon Career Academy junior who receives the “Rising Star” award for
establishing the Simeon After-School Arts Group and being selected by Mayor-Elect Rahm
Emanuel to be a student advisor.
Serving as chairs of
the $300 per person gala which will also celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary
are Sandra
Rand, of the Rand Family Foundation, and Nicole
Johnson-Seals, of Fifth Third Bank. Proceeds benefit
the museum’s educational programs and the 2011-2012 exhibit schedule. Non-stop
entertainment by JoJo Murray and the Top Flight Band playing
“The Blues;” Latin & Caribbean Rhythms by CRDT Conjunto; The Chicago Divas
(Julia
Huff, Yvonne Gage, Margaret Mariama and The Larry Hanks
Trio); The Fabulous Kings, Steppin’ with The High Performance Band and
Everybody is a Star, Karaoke with That Girl Entertainment. Providing the buffet
supper and cocktails: Catering by Davis, C’est Si Bon, Doctors Orders Catering,
Fanfares by Faye Catering, Lenore’s Kitchen, melon Express, P’s Event Catering
and Starz Custom Catering.
Wanna know more? Call
(773) 947-0600 or www.dusablemuseum.org
Lunch Time –
Media sis Darlene Hill, FOX Chicago’s Peabody Award-winning
reporter, is among honorees at Chicago State Univ.’s Scholarship Luncheon,
“Essence of an Angel: Creating Opportunities for Angel Scholars,” on April 3 in
the Emil & Patricia Jones Convocation Center. Other honorees include Monique
Brinkman-Smith, vice president and managing director,
Northern Trust Co.; Carolyn Clift, senior vice
president and first diversity officer, Health Care Service Corp.; Neffer A. Kerr,
CSU student trustee; and Angelita Perez, ComEd’s managing
director of external affairs.
Proceeds from the
U.S. Cellular-sponsored fundraiser will provide scholarships to CSU students
who are single moms and who will also be recognized for their accomplishments
and contributions to CSU’s community. Special feature: works by renowned artist
Samuel
Akainyah.
Blues Brunch – The ladies of the
Lake Shore Chapter of The Links Inc. bring blues to the South Loop when they host “An Afternoon of Nothing
but the Blues” on April 3, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., at the Marmon Grand to raise funds to
continue their community service projects which are primarily focused on
Chicago’s West side. The Sunday brunch, expected to attract over 400 guests and
emceed by Art Norman, retired NBC journalist, will feature
entertainment by three-time Grammy nominee Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues Band
beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The Lake Shore Links
chapter, whose membership totals over 40 professional and civic-minded women
who are dedicated to the advancement of youth, families and communities across
the globe, has developed a myriad of service programs that provide educational
scholarships to needy West side students, exposure to the arts for low-income
West side young folk, assistance to homeless women and educational and
recreational opportunities for children in Africa.
Vicki Hill Brooks
is chapter president; Linda Smith and Rita Wilson are chair and co-chair for this year’s fundraiser. Others on the committee: Tawa Jogunosimi, De Lois Mix, Karen Comer, Carrie Lapsky Davis, Joan Boston, Gale Foster Farley, Carol Sagers, Kimberly Chase-Harding, Lauren Williams Gore, Sondra Few, Ruby Smith, Randilyn Gilliam, Jala Anderson-McKee, Michelle Anderson, Donna Simpson Leak, Gwendolyn West and Barbara Pinder.
Puttin’
on the Hits – WGCI-FM’s Tony Sculfield returns as emcee with his trademark spicy hilarity and
insightful comments during Friday’s oh-so popular “Puttin’ on the Hits,” South
Central Committee Services’ 26th yearly lip sync dinner show fundraiser at the
Sabre Room in southwest suburban Hickory Hills. The $65 per person “after-five”
attire and “for adults only!” event gets underway as doors open at 6 p.m.,
followed by dinner at 7 p.m., showtime at 8 p.m. and dancing ‘til 2 a.m., says Felicia
Y. Blasingame, Ph.D.,
SSCS’s president and CEO, who adds that all of the acts are performed by the
agency’s board members, staff and volunteers and the evening is guaranteed to
be fun and fabulous.
Joseph
Caldwell, of
TailoRite Professional Clothing and Repair Co., is chair of the agency’s board
of directors. SCCS is one of Chicago’s largest and oldest not-for-profit
agencies, providing a vast array of human service programs and services from
five different locations for children, youth, adults and senior citizens. To
reserve tickets, call (773) 483- 0900, ext. 231.
Newsy Names –
Happy b’day to Cliff Kelley, Cong. Jesse Jackson Jr., President Toni
Preckwinkle, Dan Jiggetts, Rhonda Jones-Gillespie, Brian Samuels, Frank Brim, D.C.
Crenshaw, Hugh Brandon, Maria Plummer Hillery, Thomas Peeples, Benton Cook III,
Sylvia Ewing, Roxanne Brown, Mark Allen, Ywain Fields, Beverly Norman, Jai
Michael McMillan, Roman Warren, Ayana Haarum, Angie Powell, Dennis Page and Pamela
Gleghorn.
Joan C. Porter,
president of the Alfreda Wells Duster Civic Club, invites
us to the group’s Program & Reception at CNDA Headquarters, 6736 S.
Jeffrey, on Sunday, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., celebrating 50 years of civic service and
the club’s history from Chicago and around the world. The group is an affiliate
of Chicago & Northern District Ass’n of Club Women, Girls and Boys Inc. and
the State and National Ass’ns of Colored Women’s Clubs Inc. During the program,
several community women will receive the coveted Joan C. Bertrand
Powerful Ordinary Women Award. To RSVP or for more info, call Jessica Houston,
(773) 844-0293 ...
Hats off to former
Chicagoan, Rev. Theresa Dear, who was elected Region 3
Representative to the Board of Directors of the NAACP during its 102nd Annual
Meeting in New York City. Rev. Dear is president of
DuPage County NAACP and serves as pastoral support minister at DuPage AME
Church ... Cong. Danny Davis, D-7th, wants all of us to know
that Congressional Black Caucus Scholarships are available from a number of
sources. Check the website, www.cbcfinc.org.
Whazup! Whazup! – Hyde Park
Jazz Society hosts its annual
“Black & White Night” on Saturday, 7:30 p.m., at Room 43 with the John Burnett
Orchestra in “A Tribute to Pianist Ken Chaney“ ... Also
on Saturday, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s Xi Mu Zeta Chapter and The Pearl
Foundation host Essence of Zeta Finer Womanhood Awards Luncheon, Hats Off to the
Pearls of the Community, at Crystal Light Banquets, 8400 S.
Cicero, in suburban Burbank. Donation: $50.
Copyright 2011
Chicago Defender
