Andre M.
Grant, prominent criminal defense attorney, addresses the monthly Man-Boy
Breakfast at Simeon Career Academy, 8147 S. Vincennes, on Saturday sponsored by
Concerned Christian Men. The event, which begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 1:15
p.m. with supervised athletic competition in basketball, flag football and
more, spotlights outstanding professional African American men from the
business, education, political, legal, sports, media and religious communities.
Welcome at the Saturday morning tradition are men, 18 years and over (with a $5
donation) and young men, ages 6-17 (free admission).
Among
speakers over CCM’s 16-year history: Barack Obama (when he was senator), Lovie
Smith, Dempsey Travis, Cong. Danny Davis, Harry Porterfield, Cong. Bobby Rush,
Russ Ewing, Art Norman, Frank Clark, Sen. Emil Jones, Vernon Jarrett, Judge
John Steele, Coach Jimmy Collins, Jim Reynolds, Dr. Terry Mason, Monroe
Anderson, Larry Hawkins, Jim Rose, Cirilo McSween, Justice R. Eugene Pincham,
Jim Compton, Thomas N. Todd, Daryl Grisham, Don Jackson, Tom Burrell, Bob Dale,
Rev. Otis Moss III, Rev./Sen. James Meeks, Tim Black, Lyle Logan, Jacoby
Dickens, Col. Eugene Scott, Lerone Bennett, Roland Burris, Lou Ransom, Roland
Martin, Jim Montgomery, Sen. Kwame Raoul, Charles Thomas, Don Thompson, Cliff
Kelley, Dr. Conrad Worrill, Michael Scott, Dr. Wayne Watson, Phillip Jackson,
Jonathan Jackson, Dr. Warrick Carter, Chuck Bowen, Kofi Moyo, John Stroger, Jim
Tilmon, Derrick Blakley, Ryan Baker, Cortez Trotter, Rufus Williams and Dr.
Damon T. Arnold.
To volunteer to speak
and/or to RSVP for Saturday’s
event,
contact George Glenn, CCM founder, (773) 675-5992; visit the website,
www.concernedchristianmen.org; or e-mail stgdg@yahoo.com.
Book Look –
Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace, written by Aaron Cohen, DownBeat mag’s
associate editor, will be launched Sunday, 2 p.m., in the Chicago Cultural
Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater, 78 E. Washington St., by the Chicago Dept. of
Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Office of Tourism and
Culture. Cohen will give introductory remarks and sign copies of his book,
which will be for sale. Chicago gospel royalty, including The Gay Family and
Inez Andrews of The Caravans, will perform. (Franklin covered the Gay Family’s
1950 recording of God Will Take Care Of You on the Amazing Grace album as well
as the Andrews version of Mary, Don’t You Weep, also on Amazing Grace.) The
performances will be followed by a Q&A. Free admission.
Cohen’s tome includes
new interview archival research and musical analysis that describe the creation
and impact of Franklin’s biggest-selling album. In January 1972. She sang at
New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles for two days for the
historic recording of Amazing Grace. She had become a worldwide star since her
debut five years earlier, and for the first time was publicly embracing her
religious roots. The double album became a multi-million seller – the
best-selling gospel album of all time!
Newsy Names –Tom
Finch and his Chicago-based video display company head to Washington D.C. this
week to set up the Jumbotron screens and other production tools for the King
Memorial Foundation dedication on Sunday. Over 60,000 spectators are expected
on the National Mall. A pioneer in the industry and founding president of his
company, Finch has produced national events for more than 25 years, including
both Million Man Marches and President Obama’s Inauguration. The King Memorial
event will be highlighted by a Pres. Obama speech (Finch will provide the big
picture and staging for it and for Aretha Franklin, Bebe Winans and produce
audio of remarks by other national figures – and much more! ... Acting coach
Harold Dennis conducts free Actors’ Boot Camp Monologue Workshops on Oct. 28,
3:30 p.m., at UNA Global Wake-Up Festival of Film, Literature & Creative
Arts at Columbia College Chicago’s Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash. All are
welcome to sit in; acts with prepared monologues are encouraged to participate.
Call (312) 945-2251 ...
The Rat Pack
honors three of their own, Greg Hinton, LaRue Martin and Atty. Larry Rogers, on
Wednesday “after work” at their weekly headquarters, the Marmon Grand, 2230 S.
Michigan. And the Rat Pack’s Annual Reunion Party is Oct. 26, also at the
Marmon Grand ... “Fash Bash,” the 25th (silver) anniversary of Bates Designs,
2031 S. Indiana (that’s Barbara Bates, y’know!), is on the celebratory calendar
for Nov. 6. Keep watching this space for the location! ... Hebru Brantley,
29-year-old artist who’s been putting his aesthetic mark on Chicago for some
years, opens his biggest local exhibit to date, Yesterday’s Losers, at the Zhou
B. Art Center, 2150 S. Canalport, on Friday, 6 p.m. His is an exploration into
the lives of youth in contemporary society. Influenced by such visual artists
as Romare Bearden, Keith Haring, Basquiat and Black Folk Art. Brantley’s work
references and merges Afro-Futurism, leaning heavily on iconic pop culture. His
talent has been exhibited in Atlanta, Seattle, New York and L.A. Visit
HebruBrantley.com ... Happy b’day (belated!) to award-winning
architect/interior design guru Gloria Cooke, who hosts Autumn Harvest Creative
Collage this weekend in her sprawling Lake Meadows penthouse studio/workshop;
and to Ouida DeSett Pullin Jones, Earl Calloway, Lazel Harris, Ova Carter,
Denise Cureton, Doris Powell and Ernest Thompson.
Stage Right! –
Christine Dickerson Houston, award-winning playwright, author and creator of
the popular 80s TV series, “227,” has signed with Coffee, Tea and Me
Productions Inc. to adapt the screenplay, Lemon Tea: The Emancipation of
Liberty, for the stage. Michael Kevin Ross (WilMax Films) will film the stage
production. Written by Marcia L. Sinclair, the screenplay has received much
acclaim for its funny, sometimes sad, but heartwarming family story whose
message transcends age, race and gender. It’s won numerous awards including a
semifinalist placement in the prestigious Nicholl screenwriting competition,
winner in the Women in Film, CineStory and the 2008 Illinois International film
festival screenwriting competition. Visit www.lemonteathemovie.ning.com or
contact Nina Sinclair-Burns, (708) 539-7130 or OnyxJava@aol.com.
Swirl, Sip & Savor –
Mount Carmel Mothers Club Wine Tasting is Thursday, 7 p.m., at the high
school’s Convocation Center, 6410 S. Dante. Included: 18 wines from Ninety Plus
Cellars and Stoller Wine & Spirits along with hors d’oeuvres, sparkling
conversation and lots of fun! Order on site or online. Advance tickets, $15;
$20 at the door. Contact Sue Anderson (773) 233-0146 (akmild@aol.com) or Mary
Deering (708) 346-9606 (marydeering@comcast.net).
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
