The
ever-popular Grammy Award-winning Patti LaBelle joins Steve Harvey, radio personality,
comedian and New York Times bestselling author, in headlining the Chicago Urban
League’s 50th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner on Nov. 12 at the Hilton Chicago
Hotel. Harvey hosts the black tie gala which features an all-star performance
by the one and only legendary LaBelle.
The gala
theme is Honoring Our Past, Empowering Our Future, and co-chairs are Mellody
Hobson, president, Ariel Investments; James J. O’Connor Jr., managing director,
Chicago, MVC Capital; Anne Pramaggiore, president, ComEd; and Frederick H.
Waddell, president and CEO, Northern Trust. Since its inception in 1961, GFD
has been “a highly anticipated gathering of diverse leaders committed to the
success of Chicago’s African American communities as an integral part of the success
of the city as a whole.”
This
year’s gala is expected to attract a sellout crowd of more than 1,500 Urban
League supporters.
“The
Golden Fellowship Dinner helps the Chicago Urban League meet critical needs and
transform thousands of lives through our advocacy, collaborations and
programs,” said Andrea L. Zopp, Urban League president and CEO. “Since its
founding, the dinner has been a great gathering of people who believe in and
support our work to promote educational, economic and social empowerment.
The
annual affair begins with a Gold Carpet Reception at 6 p.m. in the Continental
Ballroom followed by Patti’s live performance during the dinner and gala which
takes place between 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. in the International Ballroom. The
black-tie evening concludes with an after party in the Continental Ballroom
from 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Legacy sponsors are Ariel Investments, ComEd, Ernst
& Young, Loop Capital and Northern Trust. Tickets at $650 and sponsorship
opportunities are available by calling (773) 285-5800 or by visiting
www.thechicagourbanleague.org.
Awards
Gala – Don Thompson, president and chief operating officer of McDonald’s Corp.,
will be honored by Chicago State University Foundation as an “Education
Advocate” during Thursday’s 17th Annual Friends of CSU Awards Gala at the Hyatt
Regency Chicago. This event raises funds to support scholarships that benefit
CSU students. Thompson was selected for this prestigious honor because of his
long time support of education and mentorship.
McDonald’s
has been noted globally as one of the best companies for excellence in
leadership under Thompson’s direction as well as that of the corporation’s CEO,
Jim Skinner. Salvador Mendoza, vice president of Global Diversity &
Inclusion in the Global Hyatt Corp., is this year’s honorary gala chair, and
Kim McCullough, director of external affairs at AT&T Illinois, is planning
committee chair. Dr. Wayne D. Watson is CSU president .
The Gala,
which will also highlight the achievements of CSU students, will feature a
performance by noted singer-songwriter Terisa Griffin. Corporate sponsors:
Ariel Capital, AT&T, ComEd, Hyatt Corp., McDonald’s Corp. and Seaway
Bank. For more info and/or to
purchase tickets, visit www.csu.edu/foundation.
Milestones
– Happy b’day to Dr. Robert Jordan, Ald. Sandi Jackson, Denise Gresham Knox,
Ronald Childs, Brenda Butler, Wanda Wright, Capt. Bill Pinckney, Faune Evans,
Jeneba Koroma, Mike House, Macbeth Harris, Dorian Sylvain, Damon Smith, Malrie
Sonier, Yvonne Orr, Bill Williams and to good buddy Janet Conner who celebrates
this Wednesday at her place, the Marmon Grand, 2230 S. King Dr., with The
Chicago Rat Pack ... And wedding anniversary wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Julius
Harris (Sharon) and Mr. and Mrs. Jesus Rivera (Evelyn) who are celebrating
their 55th year of marriage! ... Condolences to Jacqueline Craig, Metropolitan
Cluster and Chicago Drifter sister, on the loss of her beloved hubby, James, retired police sergeant, whose
services are Thursday at Cage Chapel, 77th and Jeffery. Visitation at 3 p.m.
followed by the memorial service at 4 p.m. The Craigs, long-time residents of
the Beverly community, owned Target Detective Agency. Our sympathy also to
their daughter, Carole ... And condolences to Olivia (Mrs. Johnny) Keyes on the
loss of her son, Victor Thompson, a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, whose
funeral is Friday, 11 a.m., at Leak Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove. A
repast will be held after the burial at the Keyes’ home, 6701 S. Crandon.
Movin’
On! – Frank Clark, 66, retires as CEO of Commonwealth Edison Co. in 2012 after
ComEd parent Exelon Corp. acquires Baltimore-based Constellation Energy Group
Inc., according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Clark is a giant on the civic
front, serving on several boards. The Chicago business giant who began his
ComEd career in 1966 in the electric utility’s mailroom and went on to became
it’s first African American CEO in 2005, is in line to receive $1.7 million in
cash upon retirement, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
