SOUTHSUBURBANCHICAGOCHAPTER
Teen President Jared Rouse
Teen JournalistHistorian Jackson Alsberry
2023-2024TEENEXECUTIVEBOARD
Teen Vice President Ella Kazembe
Teen Foundation Chair Emma Leak
Teen Public Relations Chair Cheyenne Smith
Teen Recording Secretary Almeda Wallace
Teen Corresponding Secretary Melody Graham
Teen Treasurer Gregory Mitchell
Teen Parliamentarian Morgan Kimmons
Teen Leadership Conference Chair Khyla Wilson-Hill
Teen Sergeant-at-Arms Ronnie Gordon
Teen Legislative Chair Kaylyn Wilson-Hill
Teen Community Service Chair Braelyn Hall
Regional Teen President Carlos Dillard, Jr.
2023-2024TEENADVISORS
Lead Teen Advisor, Salwa Rahim-Dillard
Co-Teen Advisor, Cassaundra Rouse
Teen Advisor, Linah Alsberry
JUNE
{Leadership Development, Legislative, Social, Community Service}
FromJune15-18,2023, weattendedtheMid-WesternRegionTeenLeadership Conference(TLC).The69thAnnualTLCwasheldatTheOhioStateUniversityin Columbus,OHundertheconferencetheme,“Reunion:CelebratingOur Connection.”With28ofourTeensattending,weproudlyparticipatedinthe StepOffcompetition,Skitcompetition,Apparelcompetition,ArtShowcase, Blanketcompetition(2ndplacewinner),andTimeCapsulecompetition(1st placewinner),wherewewerescoredonourabilitytoconceptualizethe conferencetheme.Wealsoplaced2ndfortheCommunityImpactAward,2nd forFoundationGiving,and3rdforFoundationGivingPerCapita
OurBlackbrillianceisBlackexcellence
TLCisalwaysafunexperiencebut whatitmadeitspecialformethis yearwasbeingadelegate.Although someofthevotescanlastlong,sitting atthefrontandrepresentingyour chapterinfrontoftheregionisan amazingexperience.
~TEEN PRESIDENT JARED ROUSE
JUNE
OurBlackbrillianceiscompetitive
JUNE
DuringTLCwealsodemonstratedindividualleadershipabilities.RTFCCarlos Dillard,Jr.ranforRegionalTeenPresidentandwassuccessfulinhiselection. ThiscampaignandelectionmadeRTPCarlosfeelconfidentandmotivatedto continuemakingadifferenceintheworld.Hewasabletoshowhisleadership andpublicspeakingskills.Aftertheelectionhewasecstaticandblessedthathis Mid-Westernpeersvotedforhimtobetheirnextteenleader.Additionally, KaylynWilson-HillcompletedherdutiesasamemberoftheRegionalTeen NominatingCommittee.Sherepresentedourchapterwellandwewereso proudofher!
OurBlackbrillianceisinclusive
JackandJillhasbeensoinstrumentalinmy leadershipskills.Runningforthisroleand winninghastrulychangedmylife.It’staught methepowerofcommunicationandgivenme opportunitiesI’veonlydreamedof.Thiswasthe highlightofmysenioryear.Ican’twaittotake theseskillswithmetoDelawareState!
~REGIONALTEENPRESIDENT
CARLOSDILLARD,JR.
JULY
{Leadership
Development, Social, Recreational}
After resting from TLC, we got together for aTeenWorkdayandPoolParty activity that combined social fun, fellowship, exercise, teamwork, collaboration, and brainstorming for our 2023-2024 program year. We meticulously thought about our previous activities and provided insightful feedback to our Teen Advisors. We shared suggestions for powerful programs that we felt would be impactful to us, the chapter, and the community. We learned about our activity budgets and how that affects our programming decisions. All attendees participated eagerly in the pool games and activities, filling the day with joy, laughter, and a strong sense of camaraderie.
OurBlackbrillianceisachievingavision
“Ilovedhowwewereableto collaborateandthinkofnew activitiesforthenewprogramyear! Wewerealsoabletohavefunwith oneanotherinthepool”
~TEENCORRESPONDING SECRETARYMELODYGRAHAM
SEPTEMBER
{Cultural, Leadership Development, Social, Recreational}
September24,2023,weparticipatedinJackandJillDay:APinkandBlueFamily PoloAffair,which wasatwo-parteventwithapre-eventzoomsessionentitled “ConversationwithKareemRosser.”Mr.RosserisachampionshipAfrican AmericanPoloplayerandauthorfromPhiladelphia.Hediscussedhislifeasa poloplayer,growingupwithlimitedresources,therulesofpolo,hisnewbook, andthesignificanceofexposingthesporttomorechildrenofcolor.Themain eventwasattendingthepolomatchatOakBrookPoloClubwherefamilies enjoyedsocialtimebyplayinggames,watchingthepolomatch,andenjoyinga divotstomponthefield.TheactivityforGroup6teenswasaphotoscavenger hunttocollectandhighlightmemoriesoftheirdayandspeakingduringthe CaroleRobertsontributeceremony.
OurBlackbrillianceisenriching
Eventhoughpolohasbeendominatedby whiteplayersandviewedasawhite sport,blackpeoplecanstillexcelin anythingtheytry.Theriseofblackpolo playersisnotjustasymbolicvictory,but alsoareflectionofthechanging demographicsandsocialdynamicsinthe sport.
~TEENAUSTINLEVY
SEPTEMBER
OurBlackbrillianceisleadingwhilehavingfun
ExecutiveBoardtrainingandretreat Executive Board Meeting, Parliamentary Training, and Retreat
AttheSeptemberExecutiveBoard Meeting,theExecutiveBoardreceived ParliamentarytrainingfromAssociate MomandAttorneyEileenLetts. AfterwardstheExecutiveBoardhada retreatatAccelerateSpeedwaytoenjoy bondingtimewhilegokartracing!
“Thiswasagreatbondingexperience, beingnewtotheteengroupandthe newexecutiveboardIhadagreattime.
~TEEN CHEYENNESMITH
SEPTEMBER
From September 22-25, 2023, Regional Teen President Carlos Dillard, Jr., Teen Legislative Chair Kaylyn Wilson-Hill, and Teen Leadership Conference Chair, Khyla Wilson-Hill attended the Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Onthe HillLegislativeSummit in Washington, D.C. This event brought more than 600 African American teen advocates from 33 states to the nation’s capital to learn about the legislative process, advocate for significant issues related to youth and the Black community and meet with their state legislators. Every teen was ecstatic when we were surprised by Vice President Kamala Harris!
OurBlackbrillianceisadvocating
Thistripwaslifechanging.Ihadtheopportunityto seeVPKamalaHarris,meetBenCrumpandI personallyhada1:1meetingwitharepresentativein CongressmanJonathanL.Jackson'sofficeinthe LongworthHouseOfficeBuilding.Afterthistrip,I knewwhatwasmeantforme.Ichangedmymajor topoliticalscience.Iwanttostayinpolitics.Iwant tomakeadifference.Iwanttoteachothersthe powerofadvocacy.AllthankstoJackandJill.Iam forevergrateful!
~REGIONALTEENPRESIDENT CARLOSDILLARD,JR.
On The Hill Legislative Summit
OCTOBER
Illinois/
Tri-State Area Workday
WehadfiveteensattendtheIL/Tri-StateAreaWorkdayClusterattheend ofOctober2023.RegionalTeenPresidentCarlosDillard,Jrgavegreetings toover600attendeesandhostedtwoteenpartieswithhisRegionalTeen Boardovertheweekend.Weparticipatedinacommunityserviceactivity packingsnackbagsfortheBoys&GirlsClubofElgin.TeenGregory Mitchellparticipatedinhisfirstoratoricalcompetitionandplaced3rd, whichqualifiedhimtocompeteintheoratoricalcompetitionatTLC2024.
OurBlackbrillianceisinspiring
Beingtogethertoformopinionsand argumentscaptivatesourown understandings,continuingtodevelopinto ourowncompetitions,ourowndebates,our ownactivities,andourownspeeches.Black Brilliance:TheOriginalChangeAgentsisus andtheamazingthingsthatwedoevery day.
OCTOBER NOVEMBER
{STEAM, Social, Recreational}
OnOctober21,2023,wetraveledtoSixFlagsGreatAmericaforFrightFest,which wasanawesomedayoffun,excitementandbonding.Duringthebusridewe receivedinformationonthehistoryofHalloweenaswellasAfricanAmericanroller coasterdesignersandthewaysphysicsfunctionsintheoperationofrollercoasters.
{Cultural, Social, Financial Literacy}
AttheendofNovember2023wewentonaChicagoBroadwayexcursiontosee“The Wiz.”Wehadapre-showdiscussionthatincludedtheshow’sthemesandmessages andenjoyedadinnertogetherafterwards.Wewereencouragedtothinkaboutthe impactoftheperformingartsasaneconomicengineandinvestmentopportunity.
OurBlackbrillianceisdiverse
GoingtoseeTheWizwasextremely engaging,especiallywithmyfellowJack &JillTeens!Gettingtoexperiencea musicalsoimportanttotheculturewhile gettingtoexplorethedifferentartistic elementsinvolvedinthisshowwasa trulyprofoundopportunity.
~TEENFOUNDATIONCHAIR EMMALEAK
DECEMBER
OurBlackbrillianceisenergizing
{Recreational, Social, Cultural, Community Service}
OnDecember16,2023,ourteensattended the2ndAnnualHolidayGrand SlamofGivinghostedbytheILNorthandSouthCOEsatXSTennisCenterin Chicago.TheeventwassponsoredbytheUSTAandXSTennisCenterand featuredtennislessons,aKwanzaaFamilyLounge,snacks,specialguest speakers,andtwoimpactfulcommunityserviceprojects.
{Leadership Development, Social}
AttheendoftheyearwehadaholidayTeenKickbackthatwasamemorable andmotivatingwaytobringustogetherduringtheholidayseasonwhile helpingusfocusonourpersonalgrowthandaspirationsfortheupcomingyear. Ouractivitiesandgamespromotedteambuilding,creativity,andgoal-setting.
“IenjoyedthisactivitybecauseIwas stillnewtotheteengroupandgotto knowandmeetmorepeople.
~
TEEN ANTHONYHARRIS
JANUARY
OurBlackbrillianceisservingothers
{Community Service, Leadership Development, Legislative}
OnJanuary15,2024,wejoinedourchapter-wideevent“BringingtheDream toLife-MLKDayofService.”Duringthisactivity,wepartneredwiththeBoy ScoutsofAmerica,GirlScoutsofAmerica,ThankGodIt'sNatural,andthe VillageofFlossmoortopackover300toiletryblessingbagstodonatetothe BoysandGirlsClubofFordHeights.Wealsoengagedinalegislativepanel thatincludedguestspeakersU.S.CongresswomanDr.RobinKelly,USSenator MikeSimmons,JusticeCynthiaY.Cobbs,ArisSingleton,CEOofThankGodIt's Natural,Dr.KristenN.Kenan,MD,MPH,AntuanWilson,FounderofArch AngelServices,andTiffanyUpshaw,MA,M.Ed.,DeanofStudentsatBloom AlternativeHighSchool.
TheMLKeventwaseducationaland inspiring.Wewereabletotalk aboutourfutureendeavorstomake usfeelmoreconfidentinourchoices. Wealsohadtheopportunityto creategoodiebagsofhairproducts togivetothehomeless.
~TEENKHYLAWILSON-HILL
FEBRUARY
OurBlackbrillianceisinnovative
{Leadership
Development, Financial Literacy, Social}
OnFebruary4,2024,weengagedinamemorableandimpactfulex “SharkTank”leadershipdevelopmentandfinancialliteracyactivity,which taughtusvaluableskillsthatcanbenefitusinthefuture.Itwasledby investmentbankerErinLykeandteensbrokeintogroupstodevelopinnovative businessplansandpresentthemtoapanelseekingfundsforinvestment.Each groupidentifiedaproblemstatement,solution,targetmarket,marketing strategy,andfinancials,andcreatedpresentationmaterials.Thiswasan excellentwaytonurtureourentrepreneurialspiritandinspiredustothink outsidetheboxwhilealsoworkingonourpublicspeakingskills.Thewinner receivedfundingtocreateanLLCfortheirbusiness.
Thisactivitywasveryfunand engaging.Wegottopresentourown businessideasin-frontofsharkslike theactualtvshow.Thisactivitygave usmanyideasandcreativityon buildingonideasandcreatingour veryownbusinesses.
~
TEENJEMANIBONAPARTE
FEBRUARY
TheDoubleGoodfundraiserwasa greatwaytoraisemoney,allow friendsandfamilytosupportour chapter,andengageinfriendly competition.Andwhodoesn’tlike greatpopcorn!
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
FromFebruary5-9,2024weparticipatedintheMWRDouble GoodPopcornfundraiserandsetupDoubleGoodPop-Upstores toraisemoneyforSTEMandreadingliteracyresourcesfor disadvantagedchildren.Wesoldover$50,000worthofpopcorn, whichwasthehighestwehaveeversoldasachapter!$25,000of thatwillgotowardsscholarshipsandcommunityservice.
OurBlackbrillianceisphilanthropic
~TEENLYNNEANGORIMA
MARCH
{Legislative, Community Service, Social, Recreational}
On March 2, 2024, we partnered with the League of Women Voters of Homewood-Flossmoor and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women for our That’sHowWeRollSkatetothePolls Teen Voter Registration Drive. Tinley Park Roller Rink provided music, skates, and energy for us and other community teens to enjoy while voicing and exercising our power to vote. As of Jan. 1, Illinois allows 16 year-olds to pre-register to vote in future elections. When they are 18, they will be able to exercise their civic duty. Teens 16 and older who joined the event brought their driver’s license and other IDs to register to vote. Elected officials such as Monica Gordon, 5th District Cook County Commissioner, joined the party to show support.
OurBlackbrilliancewillnotbesilent
Thisactivityincorporatedroller skatingwhileallowingteenagersto registertovote.Italsohelpedteens learnhowimportantitistovoteand learnwhytheirvoicematters.
MARCH
{Health, STEAM, Leadership Development, Financial Literacy}
OnMarch9,2024attheHomewoodLibrary,wehadtheopportunitytolearn CPRandFirstAidfromacommunityinstructor.CPRwastaughtusingagroup approachrequiringustoeffectivelycommunicatewithoneanotherandlisten toinstructionsfromtheteamleaderwhenassistingsomeoneindistress.This activityalsohelpeduskeepsafetyinmindbyappreciatingrisks.Wealso learnedthatbeingCPRtrainedcanbethebestchancetosavethelifeofa grandparent,friendorevencommunitymembers.
OurBlackbrilliancecansavelives
AftercompletingCPRtraining,I gainedasenseofconfidenceand readinesstorespondtomedical emergencies.TheskillsIacquired duringtheactivityinstilledinmethe abilitytoeffectivelyassistsomeonein need.
~TEENRANDALLDOWNING
APRIL
OurBlackbrillianceiscollaborative
{Leadership Development, Legislative, Financial Literacy}
On April 20, 2024, we participated in a panel discussion with local black female elected officials forSmallTownTalks. Panelists included: Arlene M. “Sugar” Al-Amin, Rich Township Clerk, Sheila Chalmers-Currin, Mayor of Matteson, Nichole Patton, Cook County 15th Subcircuit Judge, Debbie Meyers-Martin, Illinois State Representative, Kari K. Steele, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and Michelle Hoereth, District 233 Board of Education Member. We engaged in important discussions regarding current issues that affect our towns and asked the elected officials questions about their jobs and their journeys. Afterwards, JacPac dad Fredric Mitchell led an Earth Day discussion about the importance of sustainability and how composting and using a rain barrel can help our communities with conservation efforts. We then made mini rain barrels to take home and use for collecting water.
Ilearnedabouthowtobetterserve mycommunitybyengagingwith localelectedofficials.Ialsoenjoyed learninghowtobeenvironmentally consciousaboutwaterand conservation.
~TEEN NOAHHOERETH
MAY
OurBlackbrillianceapsiresforhighereducation
{Cultural, Social, Recreational, Financial Literacy}
OnMay4,2024,weparticipatedinourchapter-wideBlackFamilyDayJJSSCC .Ourdaybeganwithaminicollegefairwherewetaught eachotheraboutHBCUs.WewereresponsibleforcreatinganHBCUposter andprovidingimportantfactsaboutthecollege/university.Thentheteens attendedasessionon“UnderstandingtheFinancialJourneytoCollege.” We learnedthestepsweneedtotakeateachageleveltobereadytosavefor college.Wealsoplayed“HBCUbingo”andlearnedmoreaboutfunfacts relatedtohistoricalblackcollegesanduniversities.Theeventincludeda presentationfromalocalhighschoolband,aflagfootballgame,anda tailgatingexperience.
IhadanenjoyabletimeattheHBCU themedBlackFamilyDayasitallowedme tospendtimewithsomeofmypeersthat attended.Ialsoenjoyedplayingflag footballandwatchingtheperformanceof theband.Theeventwasagreatwayforme tofindoutmoreaboutblackcollegesand whattheydoduringthetailgate.
~TEEN JACKSONALSBERRY
OurBlackbrilliancegivesback
InMarchof2024webeganworkingwithBGCcorporateleadershiptobuildthe firstTechnologyInnovationStudio(TIS)attheFordHeightsClub.Wedesigned, painted,furnished,boughtalltheequipment,andpaidfortheelectricalwiring ofTIS.Weinvestedmorethan$30,000fromDoubleGoodsalesanddonations andinvested150+hoursplanningandlaunchingTIS.Ourpurchasesincluded fourdesktopswithgaminganddualmonitors;threelaptops;a3DPrinterwitha year'sworthofsupplies;twocontrollerheadsets;twoXboxElitewireless controllers;twoCricutMaker®3+Machines;roomdécorandmore!TheTISwas revealedonMay19,2024.Wearecommittedtomakingamightyimpactonthe kidsattheBoysandGirlsClubofFordHeights!
Ilikedpaintingandbeginningto createatechnologyroomfortheBoys andGirlsClubbecauseitgaveus teenstheopportunitytodoagood causeforthecommunityandalso havefun.
-TEENCHEYENNESMITH
Boys and Girls Club of Ford Heights Technology Innovation Studio
Greetings, Mighty Mid-Western Region!
Thank you for taking the time to explore our time capsule and the beautiful memories it holds. Each moment captured within reflects our journey of growth as leaders, our dedicated service to the community, and the meaningful connections we forged along the way. We are grateful for the opportunity to share these cherished experiences with you, and we hope they inspire continued commitment to leadership, community service, and family.
Warmest regards,
Jack & Jill South Suburban Chicago Chapter Teens
TEENROSTER
Jackson Alsberry
Jemani Bonaparte
Evan Bradford
Stephen Brown
Sydney Davis
Savannah Davis
Carlos Dillard, Jr.
Randall Downing
Michael Ellzey
Julia Franklin
Monae Glenn
Ronnie Gordon
Melody Graham
Braelyn Hall
Mason Halliman
Anthony Harris, Jr.
David Hayes
Noah Hoereth
Liori Jordan
Terrin Joubert
Ella Kazembe
Morgan Kimmons
Emma Leak
Nathan Legardy
Austin Levy
Colin Lewis
Morgann Lyttle
Maecyn Lyttle
Jaiden McCullough
Jayvyn McKee
Gregory Mitchell
Lynnea Ngorima
Sydney Patton
Myles Patton
Jared Rouse
Cheyenne Smith
Almeda Wallace
Khyla Wilson-Hill
Kaylyn Wilson-Hill
Myles Wright