The news is full of bad information about Black men. Every time you turn around there is a new statistic that points out just how bad things are for Black men. You would think that it is all bad news. But it isn’t.
The news is full of bad information about Black men. Every time you turn around, there is a new statistic that points out just how bad things are for Black men. You would think that it is all bad news.
But it isn’t. There is good news about Black men, and next week the Chicago Defender will devote an entire section of the newspaper to that good news. It is our annual Men of Excellence issue, where we salute 50 Black men in Chicago who are defying all of the bad news, who are overcoming all of the desultory statistics. We salute these 50 men, who come from all walks of life, who define excellence in their work and their commitment to their communities.
To be sure, these are not the only 50 excellent men in Chicago. We limited this list to 50, and we’re looking forward to presenting them to you in the Chicago Defender and introducing them to each other during our celebration Jan. 15 at the Hotel Allegro.
Shield Bearer Award: Honorable Bobby Rush Congressman State of Illinois
Rest of awardees:
Ron Allen Chairman, NAAIA Board of Directors National African American Insurance Association
Morris Smith Coca-Cola Company
LaRue Martin Jr. Community Service Manager UPS, Metro Chicago District
Troy A. Mooyoung VP, District Sales Manager Morgan Stanley
Carl W. Latimer President The Coalition for United Community Action
Ken Bedford Photographer WLS-TV
Dr. Paul Freeman Founder and Music Director Chicago Sinfonietta
Dr. Warrick L. Carter President Columbia College
David Day Regional Credit Manager Macy’s East
Dr. Willie Wilson Founder and CEO Willie Wilson Productions
Walter Grady President Seaway Bank
Arthur Reliford Principal Hales Franciscan
Robert Beck CEO/President Israel’s Clean Meat House
William Bonaparte’ Electrical Engineer
Michael Sutton Civil Engineer
John M. Clark, Jr. President/CEO Reggio’s Pizza, Inc.
Gary E. McCullough President/CEO Career Education Corporation
Roger Peden Director of Employer Services Jobs for Youth
Anthony Spivey Principal Corliss High School
Willie Hisey Pierson Agency Multicultural Director MetLife West
Michael Platt President/CEO Risk Management Resources
Eugene Morris President E. Morris Communications, Inc.
Sam Smith Founder Perry Mansion Cultural Center
Joseph Caldwell President Tail-O-Rite Complete Clothing Care, Inc.
Gene Linton Mr. G’s Banquets
Julian Brown Director of Community Relations Nicor Gas
Ken Smikle Publisher Target Market News
Faheem Majeed Executive Director/Curator South Side Community Art Center
Herb Kent Radio Personality WVAZ-FM/102.7
Dr. Paul Jones Mercy Hospital
Lyle Logan Executive Vice President Northern Trust Bank
Michael Fountain Sr. Director Government Relations Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority
Warner Saunders Anchor NBC 5
Bill Williams Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau
Judge William Hooks
Jerry Butler Commissioner 3rd District Cook County
Alvin Boutte, Jr. Managing Director Grigsby & Associates, Inc.
Gyata M.J. Kimmons Director Community Relations 2016 Olympic Committee
Leon I. Walker, Esq. Managing Partner DL3 Realty, L.P.
Byron Garrett CEO National PTA
Wallace “Gator” Bradley Urban Translator/Political Consultant United In Peace, Inc.
Quintin E. Primo III Chairman and CEO Capri Capital Partners
Hansel Whitehurst General Manager Jenkins Construction
Wilbur C. Milhouse, III Milhouse Engineering & Construction
Rodney Wells Technical Operations Manager Comcast Cable
John Kendall, Esq. Calvin Butler Com Ed
Darryl Roberts Filmmaker
Chef Cliff Rome Romes Joy Catering Parkway Ballroom
______ To see the photo gallery from this event, click here.
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