2021 MLK Virtual Event Program Book

WAUKEGAN TOWNSHIP PARK PLACE

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Virtual Dreamers’ Event

American Heroes in the Struggle Toward Justice, Health and W holeness

Waukegan Township Supervisor Patricia Jones Trustees: Percy L. Johnson | Nathaniel Hewitt | Opal Rice | Sylvestre Castellanos | Clerk: Rose M. Staben | Assessor: Mark Strkcklin | Highway Commissioner: Arthur Craigen Park Place Senior Citizen’s Service Committee: Chair-Nelson “Whit” Whitaker | Vice Chair-Wayne Bowen | Secretary-Sandra Eaker | Members: Gloria Carr | Jeanette Keyes | Katie Strawder | Honorary Member-Larry Eaker | Park Place Director-Cheri Pierson-White

On Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10am, Waukegan Township Park Place hosted a virtual celebration in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Over the past 18 years, we’ve sought to keep Dr. King’s life and legacy alive by paying tribute to those individuals in the community for their outstanding service in faith, business, and public life. This year’s theme, “American Heroes

in the Struggle Toward Justice, Health and Wholeness,” allowed us to honor our front-line, essential workers during these unprecedented times.

Because of you, the virtual program was a success! We hope you’ve had an opportunity to enjoy the annual Dreamers’ event, and on behalf of

Waukegan Township Park Place, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your commitment to making this event outstanding. Due to COVID-19 concerns, it was the vision of the planning committee to present an informative, entertaining Dreamers’ event in a safe and comfortable environment, and we hope each of you were enlightened and inspired to continue the

legacy and dream of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Your generous contributions, whether financial or in service, help make our vision for the community a reality. As we continue to present events and programs that encourage and uplift local residents, know that partnerships with our sponsors are vital to the success of this organization. You are highly valued and truly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Patricia Jones Patricia Jones, M. Ed. Waukegan Township Supervisor

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scott Jewitt - Northern Illinois Food Depository Maribeth Roberti - Owner/Founder of Roberti Community House

Mary Jouppi - NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness Local School Districts Representatives: Waukegan CSU District #60 North Chicago School District Superintendent #187 - Dr. John Price Mark Pfister, Executive Director - Lake County Health Department Norman Stephens, CEO - Vista Hospital Eric Garcia, Outreach Director, Oak Street Clinic Dr. Williams Woods - The Woods Women’s Group Dr. Carmen Woods Hollowell - The Woods Women’s Group George Bridges, Jr., Chief, Waukegan Fire Department Midshipman Sydney Barber, US Naval Academy

Pace Bus Company - Melinda Metzger, General Manager / Chief Operating Officer Tracey Ames, One Hope Day Care Center Director Pastor Eugene Roberson, Ministers Alliance President Minister Angelo Kyle, North Shore Ministers Alliance Celeste Caples, First Lady, Jesus name Apostolic Church Geraldine Herron Roberson, First Lady, First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church

Pre-Program Activities Sponsorship Acknowledgements ***Celebration of Drum Majors***

Northern Illinois Food Depository

Roberti Community House National Alliance on Mental Illness Dr. John Price Vista Health Systems Dr. Carmen Woods-Hollowell Dr. William Woods Dr. Reginald Spears One Hope United North Shore Baptist Ministers’ Alliance Pace Bus Company Illinois Fire Chiefs’ Association Celeste Caples Geraldine Herron Roberson Pastor Eugene Roberson Virtual Ad Book Presentation PLATINUM SPONSORSHIPS Expressions of Gratitude

Nelson “Whit” Whitaker, Chair - Senior Citizen’s Services Committee Video Excerpt: What is Your Life’s Blueprint?

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Naomi Burke

Sponsorship Acknowledgements

WELCOME TO THE 19TH ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DREAMERS’ EVENT “I Have A Dream” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Video Excerpt) God Bless America (Irving Berlin) Shelby Obleton Welcome Waukegan Township Supervisor Patricia Jones Video Presentation Ambassador Andrew Young Invocation Rabbi Ari Margolis - Congregation Or Shalom, Vernon Hills, IL

Lift Ev’ry Voice (James Weldon Johnson) Gloria Wilson Dedication to the Dream Congressman Brad Schneider Pursuing the Dream Midshipman Sydney Barber, US Naval Academy SOCIAL JUSTICE VIDEO PRESENTATION Naomi Burke Dare to Dream - Spoken Word Joshua Brown Prayer of Power Azfar Uddin, Imam - Islamic Foundation North

Belief In the Dream Congresswoman Lauren Underwood Millennial Perspective: Social Justice Isabelle Jordan, Activist Salutation in Song Lake County Ambassadors for Christ Worship Team Justice and the Dream Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul DIAMOND SPONSOR - WINTRUST BANK Enhancing Our Communities Senator Adriane Johnson

DIAMOND SPONSOR - COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY Uplifting Our Communities Rep. Rita Mayfield, 60th District VIDEO SALUTE TO OUR AMERICAN HEROES Naomi Burke The Pandemic and Our Communities Dr. Ngozi Ezike, IL Department of Public Health

Health and Wholeness Dr. Carmen Woods-Hollowell

Salutation in Song Min. Tranelle Duffie & Family The Blessing in the Dream Pastor Anthony Morgan, Christian Valley MBC, North Chicago, IL

The Impossible Dream (Joe Darion & Mitch Leigh) Soloist - Dr. Sandra Leconte Social Justice: Impact on Latino Community Dulce Ortiz, Executive Director - Mano A Mano

Why Black Lives Matter: Social In-Just-US Andrew Gasden, Community Activist Video Presentation: Educational Stand on Injustice Dr. John Price, Superintendent, District 187 The Blessing in the Dream Father Xamie Reyes, Little Flower Parish, St. Anastasia & St. Dismas Churches, Waukegan Special Finale

Diamond Sponsors Waukegan Community Bank

College of Lake County, IL

Platinum Sponsor North Point Casino

Gold Sponsors Judge Reginald C. Mathews, 19th Judicial Circuit Court First Midwest Bank

Silver Sponsors Waukegan Township Supervisor Patricia Jones The National Association of University Women North Shore (IL) Branch Opal Rice, Waukegan Township Trustee Pace Bus Company Waukegan Community School District #60 Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc.

Silver Sponsors Continued Waukegan Park District Attorney Kathryn VandenBerk Harbor Lites Links Inc. Mark Stricklin, Waukegan Township Assessor Anton L. Mathews for Waukegan Park Board Bonnie Berger-Neel and Jim Neel & Warren Township Democrats Congressman Brad Schneider for Congress City of North Chicago

Bronze Sponsors North Chicago School District #187 Ray Vukovich Consulting Rose Staben, Waukegan Township Clerk

Waukegan Housing Authority Martin & Niven Walker Community Action Partners of Lake County Cornerstone Educational Foundation Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson

Marcia Stanton 10th Congressional Dems & Lake County Dems NAMI of Illinois (Lake County)

Words on Wheels brings books and activities to infants and toddlers.

We’ve made a difference in or community!

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

MLK