ICDHR MLK Dinner 2016 Program book

Welcome to the 48th Annual

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance and Unity Dinner

Saturday, April 30, 2016 Chicago Hilton and Towers Hotel 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

“Bridging the Divide�

Featuring Walt Whitman and The Soul Children of Chicago Dinner Sponsor: Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations Reverend Clyde H. Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer

“Bridging the Divide�

48th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance and Unity Dinner welcome to the

Sponsored by the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations Reverend Clyde H. Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Mistress of Ceremonies Michelle Relerford, Anchor NBC 5 Chicago

* Honorary Dinner Chairs Emma Asanti, Vice President, NBC 5 Chicago *Reverend Corey Brooks, Sr. Pastor, New Beginnings Church of Chicago

*Dana Burgess, President, ISI Charities Foundation *Rev/Dr, George Daniels, Senior Pastor First Baptist Congregational Church

*John Burgess, Managing Director, International Services, Inc.

*Jessica Jankowiak, New Business Manager, Heil and Heil Insurance Agency

(representing Robert Landers)

Stephen Jankowiak, husband of Jessica Jankowiak

* Tom Owens, Chairman, Owens Foundation Southwest Airlines

Welcome On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations (ICDHR), I would like to welcome each of you to this 48th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance and Unity Dinner. For those of you who have attended this event over the years, you will note several changes. First, this dinner, normally held in January of each year, has been changed to the month of April. We have done so in obedience to the wishes of Dr. King who wanted to be remember, not by his birthday or number of honors, but his messages of justice, equality, peace, unity and the need for us to love one another. Unfortunately, ICDHR, like many organizations, has been slow to make the change. We are not suggesting that his birthday not be honored. After nearly fifty years, it has been decided to focus on his teachings.. The month of April is also the anniversary of his untimely death and the month he delivered one of his most famous speeches entitled “I Have Been to the Mountain Top” It was in April that Dr. King issued his unconditional Call for universal peace and love, and initiated planning for the Poor People’s Campaign.

The second change made in holding this event is in the name. Given the divide drifting across our nation, the word “Unity” has replaced the word “Celebration”. Therefore, we come together tonight to commemorate the death of Dr. King, remember the importance of his messages of justice, equality, unity, peace and the need to promote love and caring among our people. .We also come together to honor two great leaders . Dr. King felt strongly that true leaders are those who help others to become great and in doing so, they become great. Tonight, we honor Geoffrey A. Bryce, Founder and Managing Member of Bryce Downey & Lenkov, and Robert Landers, Owner of the Heil and Heil Insurance Agency.

We come together on this occasion, not as black or white or any other label that has created division and turmoil among those who occupy this planet. There is only one race. We are “Homosapiens”, each containing Melanin. Homosapiens with less Melanin, have lighter skin. The more Melanin causes the skin to be darker, compounded by the Sun and travel routes of those who once occupied the earth, sometimes creating variations in physical feature, We come together tonight as one body, seeking to elevate the power of truth, unity, justice, equality; and in the process, informed by one of our nation’s enlightened leaders, Lori Lightfoot, President of the Chicago Police Department.

Thank you for coming Reverend Clyde H. Brooks, Chairman and CEO for the ICDHR Board of Directors “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright day break of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional truth and unconditional love will have the final word”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Head Table welcome to the

48th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance and Unity Dinner Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sponsored by the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations Reverend Clyde H. Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

*Gregory Anderson, Chief of Police, City of Oak Forest, Illinois ???? Anderson, wife of Chief Anderson Reverend Clyde H. Brooks, Chairman and CEO, Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations *John Burgess, Managing Director, International Services, Inc. *Dana Burgess, President, International Services Charity *Geoffrey Bryce, Managing Member, Bryce Downey and Lenkov Sharon Bryce, wife of Attorney Geoffrey Bryce *Jessica Jankowiak, New Business Manager, Hail and Hail Insurance Agency Stephen Jankowick, husband of Jessica Jankowiak Lori Lightfoot, President, Chicago Police Board Matt Manning, Vice President, Michelle Relerford, Anchor, NBC 5 Chicago

A man can’t ride your back unless it’s bent.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Program Call to Order

Mistress of Ceremonies, Michelle Relerford, Anchor, NBC 5 Chicago

Invocation

The Reverend George Daniels, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Congregational Church

National Anthem

Led by Soul Children of Chicago, Walt Whitman, Founder and Director

Introduction of Head Table Welcome Greeting Dinner Commentary

John R. Burgess, Managing Director, International Services, Inc.

Music

Soul Children of Chicago, Walt Whitman, Founder & Director

Presentation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Honors

By The Reverend Clyde H. Brooks, Chairman and CEO, Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations

Presented to: The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Corporate Leadership Honor Robert E. Landers, Owner Heil and Heil Insurance Agency The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Honor Attorney Geoffrey A. Bryce, Managing Member, Bryce Downey and Lenkov LLC

(Continued Next Page)

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Program

(Continued)

Speaker

Lori Lightfoot, President Chicago Police Board

Closing Comments

The Reverend Clyde H. Brooks

Benediction in Song

Soul Children of Chicago, Walt Whitman, Director

Thank you for Coming

ICDHR FACILITATES MEETINGS BETWEEN URBAN AND SUBURBAN POLICE CHIEFS Given the rapid urbanization of the suburbs of Chicago and the on-going population shift between the City of Chicago and the suburbs, the ICDHR has initiated a number of meeting between and among law enforcement across geographical areas. The first such gathering was held March 13, 2016. More than twenty suburban law enforcement jurisdictions attended. First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante was the luncheon speaker.

The goal is to reactive quarterly meetings between and among these law enforcement groups. The purpose of the gatherings is to promote community policing across geographical areas. We want to encourage political departments who say they are engaged in community policing to re-evaluate what that means. To the ICDHR, it means getting out of the squad car and becoming a vital part of the community and its workings. It means getting to know community leaders and participating in community events where “comfort ability� is elevate.

The community must respond to these overtures in a warm and receptive way. This is what is needed to promote trust. If mutual trust is to occur, there must be a desire on part of both the police and community. Too often, we only look at the police. There remains much that the community must do to demonstrate that it also seeks to trust the police. The major problem is to cooperate together to reduce crime, which unfortunately, brings to two in conflict because of a lack of trust. In this regard, the ICDHR is beginning to look as the role of classism rather than only racism in promoting the police to community divide.

ICDHR Past King Dinner Speakers Year Speaker 1973 Richard Hatcher 1974 Jesse Jackson 1975 Julian Bond 1976 Maynard Jackson 1977 Mohammed Ali

John Conyers 1978 Walter Fauntroy 1979 Perren Mitchell 1980 Mickey Leleand 1981 Rev. Arthur Langford 1982 Benjamin Hooks 1983 Joseph lowery 1984 Ronald Reagan via satellite 1985 Willie Brown 1986 Rev. Leon Sullivan 1987 Dr. Alvin Pousaint 1988 Cecil Partee 1989 Rev. Jesse Jackson 1990 Tony Brown 1991 Rev. Jesse Jackson 1992 Andrew Young 1993 Roland Burris 1994 Maynard Jackson 1995 Emmanuel Cleaver 1996 Susan Taylor 1997 Willie Brown 1998 Togo West 1999 Martin Luther King III

2000 Danny Glover 2001 Tony Brown

2002 Marc Morial 2003 Mary Mitchell 2004 Kweisi Mfume 2005 Dusty Baker

Lovie Smith

Ozzie Guillen 2006 John Bryant 2007 Dr. B. Joseph White 2008 John Bryant 2009 John Burgess 2010 Ken Williams (Honoree) 2011 David D. Hiller 2012 Dr. Michael J. Hogan 2013

Candi Castleberry-Singleton

2014

Karen Atwood

Title/Organization First Black Mayor for Gary President, Operation PUSH First Black to run for U.S. President, and now Chair of the NAACP Mayor of Atlanta U.S. Heavyweight Boxing Champion U.S. Congressman Washington, D.C. Congressional Delegate U.S. Congressman U.S. Congressman Atlanta Councilman Executive Director, NAACP President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference President, USA Speaker of the House California General Assembly President, Organization of Industrial Center Physician and Consultant to the Crosby Show Treasurer, City of Chicago President, Rainbow Coalition Television Personality President, Rainbow Coalition Ambassador to the United Nations Illinois State Comptroller Former Mayor of Atlanta, GA Mayor, Kansas City, Missouri President, Essence Magazine Mayor, San Francisco Secretary of the Array President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and son of Martin Luther King Jr. Actor and Community Activist Television Personality and Radio Show Host, and President of Tony Brown Production Mayor, New Orleans Columnist and Member, Editorial Board, Chicago Sun-Times President, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Manager, Chicago Cubs Head Coach, Chicago Bears Manager, Chicago White Sox Founder, Chairman & CEO, Operation HOPE President, University of Illinois Founder, Chairman, Operation HOPE Managing Director, International Profit Associates Senior Vice President and General Manager, Chicago White Sox President and CEO, The McCormick Foundation President, University of Illinois Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, University of Pittsburg Medical Center President, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

2015 Attorney Manuel Cuevas-Trisan

Vice President, Labor Employment Law, Privacy & Data Security and Head of Litigation for Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Acknowledgements The theme for this 48th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner is “Bridging the Divide”, a title designed to call attention to the growing disconnect between and among our people. Too often, this divide sits on foundations of sexism, racism and militarism, three “ism” addressed by Dr. King, dividing the people who occupy this planet. This divide has been addressed by President Obama as well as the Pope, during his recent visit to the United States.

The ICDHR, as an advocate of diversity appreciation and inclusion, believes the elevated divide among our people has hinder true diversity acceptance. The greatest evidence of this “setback” rests with the rhetoric coming from nearly all corners of American life. The anti-Gay, anti-Hispanic, antiwomen, anti-Black, anti-Peace movements appear to be supported by far too many Americans. The reason often cited for this disconnect is “people are angry”. It appears that the power of anger has replaced the power of reason. The slaughter of blacks by blacks, the killing of unarmed young Black and Hispanic men by the police, the plight of the elderly poor, the indifference exhibited by religious and educational institutions and the silence of “good folks” , promotes this divide. To be untouched by this divide one would need to live in the mountains without access to newspapers or media outlets. Therefore, the ICDHR has elected to address three of these divides and has elected to address its limited resources to the divides between police and selected communities of color, the digital and STEM divides and the divide that exists between and among selected communities. Thanks to funds received from the Motorola Solutions Foundation and led by a member of the ICDHR Board of Directors, Police Chief Greg Anderson, ICDHR will begin conducting workshops for young men to teach them how to interface with the police when confronted on the streets. Many of our young men would be alive today had they better understood the role of the police. Given increased urbanization of suburban communities and population shifts, ICDHR is moving to bring urban and suburban police departments together to promote community policing. This month is the kick-off of a series of non-blaming community meetings designed to bring the discussion of race out of the closet. ICDHR’s speakers forum will devote major attention to speaking before groups, urging more openness about what has been designated as “racial issues”.

The ICDHR is seeking volunteers to join in these initiatives. Interest persons should contact ICDH e-mail (info@icdhr.com).

Special Acknowledgements Emcee Michelle Relerford Speaker Lori Lightfoot Honorees Congratulations Others Hare Photography Service

Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

48th ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR SPEAKER & HONOREES

Lori Lightfoot, President Chicago Police Board Speaker

Geoffrey A. Bryce, Managing Member Bryce Downey and Lenkov LLC Honoree

Robert Landers, Owner Heil and Heil Insurance Agency Honoree

Michelle Relerford, Anchor NBC 5 Chicago Our Mistress of Ceremonies

48th ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR SPEAKER & HONOREES Lori Lightfoot, President Chicago Police Board Speaker Given the “divide” that exists in nearly every facet of American life, it is times like these that we call upon great leaders to act in the best interest of the people. Our speaker has responded to the call. As President of the Chicago Police Board, an independent civilian body that oversees certain activities of the Chicago Police Department, acts upon allegations of misconduct by members of the police department and, nominates candidates for the position of Superintendent of the police department and adopts rules and regulations for the governance of the police department. Given alleged charges of police misconduct, she and the board are seeking to restore trust brought about by charges of police abuse and what has been referred to as a “Code of Silence” within the police department. President Lightfoot is also a partner at Mayer Brown LLP. As a trial attorney, investigator and crisis manager, she has extensive experience in civil and criminal litigation involving federal and state criminal violations, including mail and wire fraud, tax prosecutions, perjury and obstruction of justice. . She has also served as Chief of Staff and General Counselor for Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications and served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Charles Levin of the Michigan Supreme Court. While she has headed a number of criminal cases, she is known best from her involvement in the Christian Eilman case, in which a bipolar woman pleaded for help while in police custody. President Lightfoot is married and has a five year old daughter.

Geoffrey A. Bryce, Managing Member Bryce Downey and Lenkov LLC Honoree Our honoree is the Founding Managing Member of Bryce Downey and Lenkov law firm with offices in Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta and Schereville, Indiana and has licensed attorneys throughout the nation. The firm represents small, mid-sized and Fortune 500 companies in all types of disputes. They are trial bar certified by the federal court and have been named Leading Lawyers, AV Preeminent and were selected to Super Lawyers and Risings Stars list. Attorney Bryce and his firm were selected from a list of eleven finalist for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Honor. Attorney Joseph Eichberger, a distinguish member of the firm, serves ICDHR as legal counsel and a member of the Board of Directors. Because of the firm’s legal expertise, the ICDHR has been able to save thousands of dollars.

Under the leadership, the firm not only contributes to the on-going growth of the ICDHR continues to be a leader in chairitable causes. These include providing pro bono services to Special Olympics, breast cancer research, the Greater Chicago Food Depository and legal services to not-for-profit groups, without charge.

Attorney Bryce and his law firm is being honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Honor, a title advocated

by Dr. King for those who have accomplished much but uses their success to help others. Dr. King believes that a leader given the title of Drum Major signifies that he is a model to follow, always out-front, setting the pace for others to follow. Dr. King once penned the following : “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at time of challenge and controversy. Like many civil rights and agents of change, the ICDHR has found itself involved in controversy, and on that occasion, Attorney Bryce was the first to say: “I will help you”. A Drum Major gives much , expecting nothing in return. Sometimes society struggles with what to call great leaders, persons who make a difference in the lives up others. When Dr. King faced that question, he responded by simply saying, “Just say that I was a Drum Major for Justice. Say that I tried to help somebody. Don’t talk about me, don’t talk about my titles and awards, just say that I tried to help someone in need of help” These words apply to our honoree, he and his firm gives much, expecting nothing in return. Attorney Bryce, you are indeed a Drum Major for others to follow. Having worked with Dr. King, I am sure that he would be pleased with presenting this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Honor to Attorney Geoffrey A. Bryce and the Bryce Downey and Lenkov law firm in his name.

(Continued Next Page)

Michelle Relerford, Anchor NBC 5 Chicago

Our Mistress of Ceremonies Michelle was born in Chicago and graduated from Whitney Young High School. Subsequently, she enter the University of Connecticut and later, the University of Connecticut. While attending the University of Illinois, she served as an intern at NBC 5 Chicago. Upon graduation, she worked as a television reporter in South Bend, Indiana and Cleveland, Ohio. Michelle has served as a news analyst and reporter for WHDH television, a NBC affiliate in Boston where she was nominated for an Emmy for sports news. In 2011, she returned to Chicago as a reporter and anchor for NBC 5Chicago.

Robert Landers, Owner Heil and Heil Insurance Agency

Honoree Our honor, Robert Landers, received his Bachelor of Science and Masters Degrees from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. After several years with Deloitte, Hoskins and Sells, he joined the Heil and Heil Insurance Agency as its Chief Financial Officer and moved quickly to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, member of the Board of Directors and Corporate Treasurer. In 2007, he purchased the company which has become one of the nation’s leading insurance and real estate companies. Tonight, we honored him for his extraordinary corporate leadership, using his amazing talents to assist not-for-profit organizations like ICDHR. Our honoree is a humble and quiet man. He gives and gives not expecting anything in return. In the words of the renown writer Elizabeth Baker, “He gives without remembering what he gave, taking little in return. Because of his support to the ICDHR scholarship program, Victor Scotti entered and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Julius Mitchell has now graduated from Yale, Superior Barnes graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Kina Collins graduated from St. John’s and Angela Weng is now at Northwestern University and the list goes on.

Our honoree is a respected corporate leaders and serves as a model for other business leaders. His word is his bond. His opinions are adopted. To recognize Bob Landers is to recognize his employees and family. On behalf of the ICHDR Board of Directors, we salute our honoree Bob Landers and the Heil and Heil Family. We are honored to present to him, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Excellence in Leadership Honor. Having worked with the late Dr. King, I can assure you that he would be pleased with this honor, presented in his name to Robert Landers.

Building a Better Business

The dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shall never die, if it lives in our hearts.

John, Tyler and Tonia Burgess 224.676.7228

•

1250 Barclay Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

ISI Salutes the ICDHR for Carrying forward the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More than any other person, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired the United States to live up to the ideals of our founding documents that “all men are created equal.”

John, Tyler and Tonia Burgess, and all the employees of ISI, salute the work of the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations for carrying forward the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At a time when our nation faces difficult public policy choices, the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. still ring true today: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

John, Tyler & Tonia Burgess and all the Employees of ISI

Congratulations to the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations on their 48 th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance & Celebration Dinner

First Baptist Congregational Church 1613 West Washington Boulevard Chicago, IL 60612 Phone: 312 243-8047 * Fax: 312 243-9789 Email: office@fbcc-chicago.net Web: www.fbcc-chicago.net

Reverend George W. Daniels Senior Pastor

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Thank you to

Reverend Clyde Brooks and

Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations

for all your years of service to the citizens of Illinois

WE INNOVATE TO MOBILIZE AND CONNECT PEOPLE IN THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER

MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE ILLINOIS COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS 2016 DR. KING DINNER motorolasolutions.com MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2016 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bridging the Divide

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ICDHR SEEKS TO BRING THE DISCUSSION OF RACISM “OUT OF THE CLOSET”

The Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations (ICDHR) remains deeply concerned with the growing classism, sexism and racism drifting across our nation. Fueled by political and social forces, this growth continues to move diversity appreciation and diversity inclusion, back to the pre-Dr. King period.

Under the theme “Bridging the Divide”, the ICDHR has launched a series of “non-blaming” conferences” for the sole purpose of encouraging citizens to speak out, one way or the other and without fear of being labeled on the subject. Blameless is a key word since there is enough blame to go around. We believe that economic, political and a lack of understanding are key reasons for the divide across race, gender and culture lines. It is also believed that some of what is referred to is really classism that must also be addressed. As Dr. King expressed so often, if reasonable folks would really get to know each other, commonalities rather than differences will be realized. The first conference was held, in partnership with the Sisters of the Living Word, on April 14, 2016. Six more of these conferences will be held across the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Interested persons should send an e-mail to cbrooks@icdhr.org.

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Supporters of the

48th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance and Celebration Dinner S u pp o r t e r s Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Company Barrio Foundation Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Charter One/RBS Citizens AC Bank Chicago Bears Chicago White Sox Commonwealth Edison Attorney Joseph Eichberger First Congregational Baptist Church

Hayes Mechanical Heil and Heil Insurance Agency International Services, Inc. Jones Lang LaSalle Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. Mercer McDonald’s Motorola Solutions, Inc. NBC 5 Chicago

Owens Foundation Shefsky and Froelich Charitable Foundation Southwest Airlines SPAR Group, Inc. The CARA Program University of Illinois Walgreens Western Illinois University

YOUTH AND THE LAW INITIATIVE Across the nation, young African-American males are being beaten and killed by police unnecessarily for the failure to obey an officer when confronted on the streets. In most instances, many of these young men may be alive today if only they had followed the instructions of the police officer. This is not to excuse the actions of the police officer or shooting a young man for simply eating skittles while walking home. Regardless of the actions of these young men, there really was no reason to take a life.

Too many of these young men come from an environment where a friend or relative has had a negative experience with law enforcement and therefore, are bitter towards the police. As a result, they feel it is their right and duty to exist commands of an police officer, most of whom are simply doing his/her job.

Under a partial grant provided by the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the ICDHR is providing training to young African American males as to how to interact with the police when confronted on the streets. A part of this orientation emphasizes conduct and dress. In other words, if you “act and/or dress like a thug, you profile yourself ”. The goal is to reach a minimum of ten thousand youth between the ages of 12-22.

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.