“The First Lady” of Salem
Baptist Church, Jamell (Mrs. James T.) Meeks, is chair of Sunday’s campaign
during which some 40 churches in Chicagoland are hosting free health screenings
in an effort to tip the scales in favor of African Americans living healthier
lives. The Walgreens-sponsored First Ladies Health Day, named for a group of
ambassadors who are also the wives of Chicago ministers, will offer a
convenient opportunity for community members to get free, on-site screenings
for various illnesses that are disproportionately high in African American
communities.
Screenings will include
HIV/AIDS, blood pressure, hepatitis C, depression, glucose, cholesterol and
information on migraines and other illnesses. Health experts from Walgreens pharmacies, Ill. Dept. of
Public Health, Chicago Dept.. of Public Health, AIDS Foundation of Chicago,
Black Nurses Ass’n and American Diabetes Ass’n will perform the tests. In
addition, Chicago Firefighters will be on-hand at several churches to
demonstrate CPR. John Gremer, Walgreens’ director of community affairs
initiated the program in 2008 when nearly 200 ministers’ wives met with medical
experts to discuss the high rate of HIV/AIDS among African Americans. The First
Ladies Campaign expanded in 2010 to include the health day and several
additional illnesses. Visit www.firstladieshealth.com for more on the First
Ladies Health Day.
Legacy Legend – Publishing
executive, Linda Johnson Rice, president and chief executive officer of Johnson
Publishing Co. (Ebony and Jet magazines), picks up the distinguished Chicago
Legacy Award during Columbia College Chicago’s Open Doors Gala 2011 at CCC’s
Media Production Center, 16th and State Streets, on Nov. 5. The coveted award
honors those “who have made a significant impact in the Chicago community and
helped open doors for future generations.” Contributions will provide
scholarships for Chicago Public Schools grads to attend Columbia. Gala
co-chairs: Richard P. Kiphart, Sylvia Neil and Pamela Kendall Rijos.
Soul Stage – Two highly
popular multi-Grammy nominated entertainers, Common, the Hip-Hop rapper, artist
and actor, and Richard Smallwood, the gospel music phenom, take centerstage at
Friday’s “Trinity Presents!,” a celebration of 50 years of worship and arts.
The concert, touted as “music to stir your soul,” will be staged at the
6,000-plus seat University of Illinois/Chicago Forum, located at Roosevelt Rd.
and Halsted St. It will also feature Trinity United Church of Christ’s Choral
Ensemble, Sanctuary Choir, Men’s and Women’s Choruses, along with the Dance,
Mime, Drill and Drama Ministries. (Common, a lifelong TUCC member, often raps at
special worship services.) Doors open at 7 p.m. and the event also includes a
VIP Reception with photo ops with the guest artists. “Fifty Years of Trinity:
History & Highlights” begins the evening’s celebration followed by the
musical program at 8 p.m. Buy advance tickets at the church, 400 W. 95th St.,
in the Akiba Bookstore. Rev. Otis Moss III is TUCC senior pastor. Call (773)
962-5650 for more information.
B’Day Bonus – The place to
be on Oct. 7 from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. is the 22nd annual Birthday Celebration of
Carter Russell (of Universal Music fame), at the popular nite-spot, Transit,
1431 W. Lake St. The yearly $50 per ticket fundraiser supports Clara’s House, a
West Englewood shelter and resource center for battered and homeless women and
children founded by Clara Kirk, its president. Libations for the first hour are
sponsored by Southern Wines & Spirits and Moet and Chandon; Shady Brady is
guest DJ and the entire evening is in memory of Carter’s “brother,” John
“Johnny Boy” Alongi. Wanna know more and/or to reserve tickets, call (312)
567-1123.
Happy B’Day – to Monique
Caradine, Phillip Jackson, Rev. Otis Moss III, Wanda Norris, FreDrena Brown,
Charles Boyce, Temple Hemphill, Sandra Gresham-Rawls, Yvette Moore Jewel
Montgomery, James Williams, Marc Fambro, Jennifer Schultz, Kwame Steve Cobb,
Deb Davis, Yvonne Randle, Julienne Malveaux, Antonia Daymond, Valinda D. Jones,
Gardella Weathersby, Derek Barber, David Miller, Byron Hooks, Tammi Barlow,
Vanessa Smith and Jan Camps Coleman.
Newsy Names – Soulful
vocalist Terisa Griffin performs “all the way live” on Oct. 15 during “A Black
& White Gala,” a benefit dinner dance and concert at and for Metropolitan
Apostolic Community Church, 4100 S. King Drive, pastored by Rev. Leon D. Finney
Jr. It all begins at 5 p.m. with
dinner, followed by the concert and dancing at 6:30 p.m. Buy tickets by calling
Cecilia Peeler, (773) 313-9146... Best wishes to Beverly Reed-Scott on her new
enterprise, Momma Earth Times, and Sustainable Treasures for mind, body, home
and garden. Her work with the Chicago Defender Charities has made a huge
difference in the lives of many youngsters and she’ll be missed and not easily
forgotten ... Rev. Theola Jones comes “home” to Sixth Grace Presbyterian
Church, 600 E. 35th St., to deliver the message at its Women’s Day worship
service on Sunday, 11 a.m. A Reception in Register Hall will follow ...
Dollars for Scholars –
Level Playing Field has created the Wallace “Gator” Bradley Scholarship for
Taylor Business Institute students, the first of several to honor various
Chicago leaders. Bradley, a socio-political activist and former gang member,
transformed his life when given a second chance by Cook County Commissioner
Jerry Butler who hired him as an aide in the 1990s. For over 20 years, Bradley
has dedicated his life to shaping and redefining African American communities
through countless programs and initiatives, so says Lonnie Jenkins. LPF
president
Founded in 2002, LPF has
awarded over $750,000 in scholarships to 300-plus TBI students who have gone on
to pursue both higher education and successful careers, achieving a level of
accomplishment that wouldn’t have been possible without financial assistance.
The Bradley Scholarships support at-risk youth living in communities challenged
with high unemployment, staggering rates of incarceration and numerous negative
influences. “Innovative alternative education opportunities, scholarship
support, training, and job placement programs are needed to address these
issues,” said Janice Parker, president of TBI, which is located 318 W. Adams.
Visit www.tbiil.edu, www.lpf-chicago.org or contact KT Communications, (312)
543-5505.
Copyright 2011 Chicago
Defender
