Award-winning actor Isaiah Washington IV, a veteran of
several Spike Lee films who is best known for originating the role of gifted
cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Preston Burke on the ABC medical drama, Grey’s
Anatomy from 2005-2007, comes here as DuSable Museum, 57th and Cottage Grove,
continues the celebration of its 50th anniversary with the 37th Annual Arts
& Crafts Festival on Saturday
and Sunday sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and themed “Back to Our Roots.”
Washington culminates the free two-day fest with a special
Sunday appearance to sign copies of his latest book, A Man From Another Land:
How Finding My Roots Changed My Life. His portrayal of Dr. Burke earned him two
NAACP Image Awards “for outstanding actor in a drama series,” as well as a
Screen Actors Guild Award. For his portrayal of Dr. Burke, Washington was
honored by TV Guide as one of “TV’s Sexiest Men” in June 2006, and was named
one of “TV’s Sexiest Doctors” in June 2008 on TV Guide’s television channel.
Prior to the TV Guide honor, Washington was named as one of People Magazine’s
“50 Beautiful People” in May 2006. Original works of arts will be centerstage
as the DuSable Festival returns to being a showcase for local artists with a
juried exhibit of fine arts and unique crafted works. Begun in 1974, it
features works of art which relate to African American themes, identity, history
and culture. Scheduled entertainment includes Kindred the Family Soul, Najwa
Dance Corps, Billy Branch and Sons of Blues, Ugochi & ASE, Julia Huff &
Co., New Generation Fancy Drill Team and Marva Childress & Line Dancing;
also Kid Flicks and more.
Additionally, a family reunion atmosphere will permeate
the festival as DuSable Museum partners with AfricanAncesstry.com to host We
Are Africa, a 2011 road tour and grassroots journey to celebrate our
historical, cultural and genetic connections to Africa. While TV networks such
as PBS, NBC and BET have incorporated DNA in the quest for ancestry and have
raised awareness, the average person believes they must be of celebrity status
to find their genetic roots. The goal of the road tour is to erase that
perception by educating, empowering and informing. Also on tap: educational
seminars, book signings, films, family activities and delicious affordable
outdoor ethnic dining provided by several restaurants. Call (773) 947-0600 or
log on www.dusablemuseum.org for more info. Remember, it’s free admission!
Newsy Names – Dr. Gloria Latimore Peace, host-director-
producer of OMNI-U Presents The H3O/Art of Life Show, is celebrating her 17th
year of television programming, broadcasting over CAN-TV (Ch. 19) on Fridays at
8:30 p.m. (repeats Sundays at 3:30 p.m.) ... Happy b’day to Rev. Dr. Leon D.
Finney Jr., Sandi Lynn, Dr. Mavis Staples, Carole Brown, Jim Rose, Betty
Magness, Iman Johnson, Stephanie McEwen Samuels, Victor Powell, Jetta Bates,
Sam Greenlee, Finis Henderson, TaQuoya Kennedy, Maynell Thomas, Cheryl Hudson,
Bill Hampton, Megan Brown, Crystal Brown Black, Gwen Rowan, Gerri Patterson,
“Cousin Amelia” Conrad Bishop, Francesca Williams-Harper, Kai El’ Zabar,
“Cousin Larry” Mohn, Rolanda Watts and Vanessa Holmes ... Happy belated 47th
anniversary wishes to Alex and Mary Robinson and 54th anniversary cheer to
Minor and Ollie Allen.
Hats Off – to Leviticus Bradley, son of activist Wallace
“Gator” Bradley and Terri Marsh-Bradley, who graduated from Whistler Elementary
School in the Maple Park/Morgan Park community as valedictorian of his class.
He will attend King College Preparatory High School. Young Bradley received the
Maple Park Overall Exemplary Student Award, the Outstanding Academic Achievement
Award from the 34th Ward’s Ald. Carrie M. Austin, the Lemuell Austin
Foundation’s Academic Achievement Award for Excellence in Education, the 18th
District Writing Contest’s Creative Publication Poetry Award and the Young
Authors Competition Award.
Sympathy – to the family of Baba Hannibal Afrik (Harold E.
Charles), activist and retired nationally acclaimed award-winning educator (30
years at Farragut High School, eight years at Northeastern Ill. U.). He won the
coveted Star Award from the National Science Teachers Ass’n in 1975, among
others, and co-founder of Shule Ya Watoto School for Children, an independent
community institution on Chicago’s West Side. An acclaimed biologist, Afrik
performed scientific research in biochemistry for several years.
Arrangements: Friday, visitation, 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Carter
Funeral Home, 2100 E. 75th St.; African Memorial Service, 7 p.m., Malcolm X
College, 1900 W. Van Buren; Saturday, wake, 10 a.m., Woodlawn AME Church, 6456
S. Evans, funeral, 11 a.m., burial, Burr Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers,
please make donations to CYA online at www.cyavillage.com or by check payable
to CYA, P.O. Box 54894, Atlanta, GA 30308. Other correspondence can be mailed
to P.O. Box 54894, Chicago, IL 60654.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
