Judge Diane M. Shelley will “take her seat” as the
2011-2012 chair of the Illinois Judicial Council on July 16 at its 29th
Installation & Awards Ceremony at historic Parkway Ballroom, preceded by a
courtyard cocktail reception in Gallery Blanc with Samuel “Savoir Faire”
Williams, jazz violinist. Besides the installation and awards program emceed by
Diann Burns, former CBS 2 news anchor, the $100 per person evening, themed
Recalling Our Past: Taking Responsibility for the Future will include dinner and dancing. Other
2011-2012 officers to be installed: Judges Carol M. Howard, chair-elect;
Dominique Ross and Marilyn Johnson, secretaries; and William Jackson and
Thaddeus L. Wilson, treasurers; IJC’s 2011-2012 executive committee members:
Judges Arnette Hubbard, William Hooks, Ted Sherrod, Carl Walker and Leonard
Murray, ex-offficio.
Back on Jan, 13, 1982, a small group of African American
judges met at the Community Insurance Co., to discuss problems common to Black
judges. Called by Judge Charles J. Durham, the meeting led to the formation of
the Illinois Judicial Council. On Oct. 12, 1983, the group held its first
banquet at the Soul Queen Restaurant, installed Justice Kenneth Wilson as
chair, Judge Durham as chair-elect, Judge Everette A. Braden as secretary and
Judge Blanche M. Manning as treasurer. The small gathering was attended mostly
by members, families and a few guests. On Oct. 18, 1988, the IJC was
incorporated by Judges Russell R. DeBow, Marion Garnett, Glenn T. Johnson,
William E. Peterson, Albert S. Porter, Lucia T. Thomas, Durham, Braden and
Justice Wilson. Judges Sophia H. Hall, James L. Harris, William Sylvester
White, DeBow, Peterson and Justice Wilson formed the first board of directors
to enhance the image of the judiciary and to improve the quality of life in the
community through educational enlightenment as to the manner in which the legal
process serves the community. IJC has awarded thousands of dollars in law
school scholarships to minority and needy students and annually participates
with the Circuit Court of Cook County in Law Day. Also, IJC conducts a high
school essay project.
For several years, IJC partnered with the Chicago Housing
Authority to provide residents with a library, camp scholarships, assistance in
securing summer jobs for youth and Christmas parties with food baskets and toys
for the needy. IJC members work with community groups, such as the Cook County
Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers’ Association, Illinois State Bar
Association, Illinois Judges Association, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Chicago Bar
Association, and numerous churches and civic groups presenting educational
programs regarding the court system.
IJC Foundation is the charitable arm of IJC, which has
grown to an organization of over 100 members. While it is primarily composed of
African American judges and judicial officers of the state, it has grown to
include judges and judicial officials representing a myriad of ethnicities as
well as judges who serve on the federal bench. IJC is proud of all of its
members, but two of its members have distinguished themselves: Illinois Supreme
Court Justice Charles E. Freeman, and the current Chief Judge of the Circuit
Court of Cook County Timothy C. Evans, so say Judge Leonard Murray, IJC chair,
and Judge Cheryl D. Ingram, chair of the installation and awards ceremony.
Art Showing – Andre and Frances Guichard, of Gallery
Guichard fame, present a special exhibit, Dak Art 2: I Am My Brother’s Keeper,
which opens Friday, 6 p.m., at the gallery, 3521 S. King Drive and continues
through July 31. (A collectors’ preview is Thursday, 5 p.m.) The exhibit
features a collection of over 50 contemporary works of art by artists they met
during their trip to Senegal in west Africa several weeks ago. For other gallery
programs, call (773) 373-8000.
Congrats – to Grammy-winning Mavis Staples, the legendary
R&B-soul-gospel vocalist and this scribe’s special sistah-friend and a
fav-o-rite neighbor. Mavis was awarded a prestigious honorary doctorate degree
from Berklee College of Music during its 2011 Commencement Ceremony at Boston
University. Conferring the degree was Berklee’s President Roger H. Brown, who
also presented honorary degrees to Michael McDonald, rock, pop and R&B
singer; Cuban musicians, Chucho Valdes and his dad, Bebo Valdes; and jazz
legend Kenny Garrett. Over 900 grads from 58 countries participated in the
ceremony – Berklee’s largest graduating class to date!
Newsy Names – Friends of Cook County’s board president,
Toni Preckwinkle, host “An Evening at The Chicago Cultural Center” in her honor
on Tuesday beginning with a sponsor reception and a general reception. On the
fundraising committee: William Lowry, Pat Ryan, Frank Clark, Larry Huggins,
Paul King, Louis Carr, Philip Corboy Jr., James McHugh, Lester McKeever, Larry
Rogers (Sr. and Jr.) Tony Smith, Norm Bobins, Barbara Bowles, Donald Stewart
and David Mosena, among others. Suggested donations: $50,000 – $500. RSVP:
Marion Batey, (773) 288-0000 or rrcmarion@yahoo.com ... Happy b’day to Min. Darryl
Walker, Joe Soto, Aaron Gaines, Jacques Eady, Barbara Bates, Janet
Wright-Moore, Belinda McFolling, Patricia Dabner, Minnard Skiles, Donna
Hammond, Sylvia P. Flanagan, Jesse White, Shayna Bracha Farber, Amaniyea Payne,
Kevin McIlvaine, Iman Jefferson, Suz Griffith, Glenn Reedus, Wilfred Bentley,
Sasha Daltonn, Donna Allen, Praydup Wanda, Bridget Taylor, Carol Hughes and
Cliff Ruffin.
Awards Dinner – Some 40 young men from Simeon Career
Academy will be celebrated by Concerned Christian Men, led by George Glenn,
founder and executive director, and Carlton L. Guthrie, board chair, at its
fifth annual John Everett Awards Dinner on Saturday at Apostolic Church of God,
for winning scholarships in a yearlong competition with over 700 of their peers
to the Thompkins-Stimley-Beachpoint Summer Camp in Allegan, Mich. Other awards
are for the Stock Market Challenge, top grades, improvement of grades and the
outstanding school and adult volunteers. Dinner speaker: Sid E. Taylor, CEO of
SET Enterprises and founder of Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund.
The awardees, saluted “for choosing to transform rather
than conform to the realities of the Englewood and Gresham communities,” earned
their way to the camp by participating in after school programs, attending
monthly Man-Boy Breakfasts, signing on for Excursions (weekly trips to area
museums, universities and sports events), earning orange belts in karate,
writing flash essays and giving speeches.
Arts & Crafts – Kindred the Family Soul, the R&B,
soul and neo-soul duo made up of married duo, Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon,
head a line-up of top entertainment for DuSable Museum’s 37th Annual Arts &
Crafts Festival, July 9-10, noon-8 p.m., at the museum. Theme of the free fest
is “Back to Our Roots.” Known for such popular tender-hearted hits as Far Away,
Stars, Where Would I Be (The Question) and Arrival, Kindred will be centerstage
on day two at 7 p.m. Also to perform: Najwa Dance Corp, Billy Branch & Sons
of Blues, High Performance Band, Julia Huff & Co., New Generation Fancy
Drill Team, and line dancing by Marva Childress. Original works of art will be
featured as the fest returns to being a showcase for local artists with a
juried exhibit of fine and uniquely crafted works. Artists work in traditional,
ethnic and experimental fine arts and crafts that embody African American
themes of identify, history and culture. Also: check out Kids Flicks.
The fest is partly funded by Africanancestry.com,
Alphawood Foundation, Chicago Park District, Kraft Foods, Ill. Arts Council,
Ill. Tool Works, Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation Inc., The John D. and
Catherine T. McArthur Foundation, WVON-AM radio and United Airlines. Call (773)
947-0600 or visit www.dusablemuseum.org.
Alumni Lunch – If you’re a 1961 graduate of Hirsch High
School, you are expected at your Golden (50th) Year Luncheon Celebration on
July 9, noon–4 p.m., at the Oak Lawn Hilton Hotel. Per person reservations at
$60 include a class gift to the school. Class members and/or friends can get
more info by sending an e-mail to hirschhuskiesco61@gmail.com or leaving a
message (with your name and contact info) on the Huskies’61 Facebook page.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
