Judge George Bridges, Sr. - cdn.initial-website.com · youth. As Judge George Bridges, the 2018 Most Influential African American said in his acceptance speech, we (as a people) need

MARCH 2018First Edition

Volume 22 Issue 3

Free

The Heart & Soulof Chicago TM

Celebrating22 Years of Service to the Community

JudgeGeorge

Bridges, Sr.Named

Most InfluentialAfrican American

Of Lake County

Judge George

Bridges, Sr.Named

Most InfluentialAfrican American

Of Lake County

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Page 2 Chicago People’s Voice March 2018

Chicago Peoples Voice PO Box 1038 • Waukegan, Illinois 60079

ChicagoPeoplesVoice.comLake County, Illinois EditionE-mail: [email protected]

Chicago Peoples Voice The Heart & Soul of Chicago tm

he late Whitney Houston wrote andsung a song called “One Moment In

Time” it was one of her greatest hits. echorus is as follows:

I want one moment in timeWhen I'm more than I thought

I could beWhen all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to meGive me one moment in timeWhen I'm racing with destiny

en in that one moment of timeI will feel

I will feel eternity.

Each of us will have that one momentin time. Whitney had several moments intime when her achievements bolstered herinto legendary status where she will remainthroughout eternity.

e Most Influential African Ameri-cans of Lake County Awards was foundedon several premises. e first premise wasto showcase the achievements of AfricanAmericans for your youth, giving themsomething and some one’s to look up to.

ere are too many negative images outthere. We need positive role models whocan help to shape the perceptions of ouryouth. As Judge George Bridges, the2018 Most Influential African Americansaid in his acceptance speech, we (as apeople) need to do something about thepipeline of our young people going tojail. No one can do it alone, we all haveto play a part. Presenting programs likethis is a part, and I do mean part, of thesolution. ere needs to be other parts tothis great puzzle, which are not in exis-tence. We, as a people, have to identifyand if necessary invent them.

e second reason that we present theMost Influential African Americans of

Lake County Awards is to congratulateand recognize those folks who aredoing great things in the community.Usually people who contribute to soci-ety, do so without great herald. Help-ing others, providing leadership,exhibiting integrity, and having a hu-

manitarian spirit is often work and effortthat is gone unseen and in many ways is athankless proposition. But giving, caring,leading, and action taking is what makesour society humane and keeps up moti-vated to succeed. e folks who do so,from time to time, need a little pat on theback. Occasionally, someone needs to say,“Job well done!”, and “ank you for allthat you do”.

Everyone needs that one moment intime, when others recognize their achieve-ments. We all need that one moment intime that in front of the whole-world,someone says,”ank you and job welldone!”.

As an organization, we decided to stepup to the plate and be the one. In thewords of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “If Ican help somebody as I pass along, If I cancheer somebody with a word or song, If Ican show somebody that he is travelingwrong, then my living will not be in vain.”

The Reason Why We Sing

The E.Reed Report

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March 2018 Chicago People’s Voice Page 3

2018 Most Influential African Americans of Lake County Awards

2018 Most Influential African Americans of Lake County Award Winners 1st row from left to right are:Deidria Collins, Vanzetta May Bridgemon, Dr. Julia LaVerne Hailey, Dr.Constance Collins, Evangelist Olivia Mitchell, Honorable Judge George Bridges, DeVon Nelson, Sameia Charity, Shawn Johnson, 1st Lady Michelle Obleton,2nd row fromleft to right are:Tammy Moore, Carl Evans, Richard Doe, David B. Osborne Sr., Charles L. Jones, David A. Northern Sr., Dr. David Weatherspoon, Joshua Davis, Elroy Reed,Javonte Taylor, James Harris, William (Bill) McKinney, Sedrik Newbern, and Dr. Winfred Obleton.

he Chicago Peoples Voice presented theMost Influential African Americans of

Lake County Awards on February, 25th at theWedgewood Banquet Center in Wadsworth, Illi-nois. Judge George Bridges, Sr. was named the2018 Most Influential African American of LakeCounty along with about 20 other phenomenal in-dividuals who were recognized among the Most In-fluential in various categories.

About 300 people attended the black tie affairincluding regionally elected officials like U.S. Con-gressman Brad Schneider, Zion Mayor Al Hill,North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Jr., StateRepresentative Sheri Jesiel, and State RepresentativeRita Mayfield. Lieutenant Governor hopeful Ju-lianne Stratton was also in attendance and madecomments. Allstate Executive, Sedrik Newbern wasthe keynote speaker. e event was sponsored by

Consumers Credit Union, Diamond ResidentialMortgage, and the Community Action PartnershipFoundation of Northern, Illinois.

e City of Zion’s Commissioner and formerNBA Player William (Bill) McKinney received theVision Award. Dr. Winfred and Michelle Obletonas a couple also received the Vision Award. DavidOsborne, Sr. – Director of the Herman Center ofthe Zion Park District was presented with the Life-time Achievement Award. Humanitarian Awardswere presented to North Shore Community ServiceLeague and Deidria Collins. e Arts and Enter-tainment Award was presented to DeVon Nelson.

Community Service Awards were presented toSameia Charity – Elite Striders, Richard Doe – Bax-ter, International, and Carl Evans – Alderman, Cityof North Chicago. e Civic Leadership Awardwas presented to J. Tara omas, President, theNAACP. e Religious Leadership Award was pre-

sented to Evangelist Olivia Mitchell. Entrepreneur-ial Awards went to Vanzetta May Bridgemon andShawn Johnson both independent business owners.e Educational Leadership Awards were presentedto Julia LaVerne Hailey-Adams, and Dr. DavidWeatherspoon.

e Business Leadership was presented toCharles L. Jones. e Youth Leadership Awardswent to Javonte Taylor, and Joshua Davis. eLeadership Award went to James Harris.

e Vision Awards were presented to NBA Starand Executive - William McKinney, and to Dr.Winfred and Mrs. Michelle Obleton, Churchplanters and community leaders. Musical enter-tainment was provided by Lenear Harris.

See individual profiles throughout this special edi-tion of the Chicago Peoples Voice Newspaper.

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Judge, Lawyer, Educator, and a Servant. George Bridges was born and raised inthe city of Chicago. He received a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors from National-Louis University, and his Law Degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Being the Great-Great Grandson of a slave, undoubtedly gave him the will anddetermination to work tirelessly to destroy the obstacles created by racism in his life.In 1973, he applied to become a police officer with the City Of North Chicago butwas denied acceptance because he was Black. is first face-to-face encounter withracial injustice would provoke him and direct his future professional life. Believinghe had, in fact, met all qualifications to become a police officer, he refused just to sitback and accept the rejection. With the assistance of the NAACP, he sued the Cityof North Chicago and won. In the landmark decision of his case, the City was re-quired to hire Bridges and five other African-American police officers immediately.His lawsuit would ultimately have a tremendous impact on the future hiring ofAfrican-Americans within the police department.

George Bridges would later join the Waukegan Police Department as a patrolman.He was subsequently promoted through every rank within the police department,ultimately becoming the first African-American Chief of Police for the City ofWaukegan. During his tenure as Chief of Police, he implemented a number of hiringand promotional changes that increased minority representation throughout the po-lice department. Along the way, he continued to persevere and challenge himself,wherein he was able to obtain a Law Degree. After earning his Law Degree, Bridgesstayed on with the police department until finally going into the practice of law. In

1990 he joined the Lake County State's Attorney's Office as a prosecutor, handlingfelony cases and in 1993; Bridges was asked to return to the City of Waukeganwherein he was again appointed Chief of Police.

Continuing with his many firsts, in 1995, George Bridges was appointed an As-sociate Judge on the 19th Judicial Circuit Court. He was the first African-Americanto hold the position in Lake County, Illinois. In 2006, the Justices of the IllinoisSupreme Court appointed Judge George Bridges to the position of Circuit CourtJudge, again the first African-American Circuit Judge in Lake County. In 2014, JudgeBridges was elected a Circuit Court Judge. During his 21 years on the bench, he wasthe Presiding Judge of the Felony Division, the Supervising Judge of the Juvenile Di-vision, where he handled numerous civil and criminal cases.

Judge Bridges has dedicated his entire career to public service. He has been anAdjunct Instructor for more than 20 years at both Columbia College and the Collegeof Lake County. He has mentored and been an inspiration to a number of LakeCounty African-American Lawyers over the years. Judge Bridges is a Life Memberof the NAACP, a member of the urgood Marshall Legal Society, and numerousother legal organizations, boards, committees, and task forces. Over his lengthy andesteemed career, Judge George Bridges has been the recipient of numerous awardsand honors in recognition for his work in the community and the legal profession.Lastly, and most importantly, Judge George Bridges is a loving husband, father,grandfather, and a proud child of God.

Rev. Eugene Roberson, Tammy Moore, Elroy Reed, Judge George Bridges, Sr. – The Most Influential African American of Lake County,and David Northern, Sr.

.....more about Judge George Bridges, Sr.


William M. McKinney III, is the recipient of the 2018 Most InfluentialAfrican Americans of Lake County Vision Award.

William is the Commissioner of Building, Property & Zoning for theCity of Zion, Illinois. His is a former Zion school board member, but bestknown for his 39 years in the NBA in a variety of capacities, 7 years as aplayer, and 32 years as an NBA Executive. He was the first African Amer-ican executive to be hired by the Chicago Bulls.

McKinney happily lives in Zion with his new puppy Murphy!

David B. Osborne Sr. is the recipient ofthe 2018 Most Influential African Ameri-cans of Lake County Life Time AchievementAward.

David B. Osborne Sr. is the Director ofthe Zion Hermon Park Center, a facility ofthe Zion Park District in Zion, Illinois.David has more than 28 years of experience with the Zion Park District.

David started working for the Zion ParkDistrict part-time in January 1992. Prior tohis employment at the Zion Park District,

David proudly served ten years of activeduty in the United States Air Force and fiveyears in the Air Force reserves, accumulatingthe rank of E-6 Tech Sergeant.

He is the proud single father of 3 won-derful children.

David earned his Bachelor’s Degree inBusiness Management from the Universityof Maryland, and he also has an Associate’sDegree in Arts and Recreation.

Tammy Moore, Elroy Reed, Mayor Al Hill, William McKinney, and David Northern, Sr.

William M. McKinney IIIVision Award

David Osborne Sr.Lifetime

Achievement Award


Have you ever been so deter-mined to do something oneminute and then talked yourselfout of it the next? For example, Iwant to lose weight and gethealthy…why bother obesityruns in my family? If your an-swer is yes, you my friend areyour own stumbling block andit’s time to get out of your ownway!

Just do it!

Yes, Nike coined this phrase, butit doesn’t just apply to shoes andsports. What vision has Godgiven you that you’ve been sittingon and afraid to take the nextsteps because you’re afraid of fail-ure? I’ve heard many people saywhat would you do If you knewyou would not fail? Well, Do itanyway. If you fail, you willlearn something from it and bebetter for it! Go get your bless-ing!

Know your gifts!

I’m reading T. D. Jakes bookSoar and in it he mentions yourGod given gifts have been theresince birth! ink about whatyou liked to do as a child andthat will tell you a lot about whatyou were born to do as an adult.If you pursue your passions, youwill find your purpose!

Tap into your Resources!

Many of us miss out because wedon’t tap into the resources avail-able to us. Look at your innercircle, friends or associations.Everyone should have somethingto contribute. If not, you’re inthe wrong circle. Iron SharpensIron! Don’t be embarrassed to askfor help from an expert too!

Change your mindset fromCan’t do to Can do!

If you want to go to the nextlevel (become debt free, start abusiness, get fit or healthy or be-come a homeowner). You willneed to change some things! Ittakes 21 days to change and oldhabit, don’t give up so easy, keeppushing until you reach yourgoals! Yes, you can do it, just putyour mind to it!

Tammy Moore is Division Presidentat Diamond Residential Mortgage,A motivational speaker and Creditand Financial Coach. In her sparetime, she is the Budget ConsciousFashionista, where she teaches Style$ense: How style your outfits on abudget without breaking the bank!

Tammy Moore

Get out of your own

Way!

Tammy’sTidbits


LOCKHART-WHITE REPORTMarch 2018

The

A communique of the Community Action Partnership of Lake County

hirty percent of children havebeen poor at some point intheir childhood. Being pooras a child, even for only ashort time, can have conse-

quences reaching far into adulthood.e instability that accompaniespoverty puts stress on parents, spillingover to children. is can manifest it-self in long-effects lasting ways. In theface of these obstacles, what circum-stances help poor children succeed (orat least don’t hold them back) and whatstacks the deck against them? Beforeconsidering the circumstances, let’s firstexamine the scale of the problem.Poverty affects many more childrenthan annual statistics record. Whileroughly one in five children currentlylives in poverty, nearly twice as many(39 percent) have been poor at somepoint in their childhood. Black chil-dren fare much worse: fully three-quarters are poor during childhood,compared to 30 percent of white chil-dren.

Children who have been poor for atleast one year before they turn 18 areless likely to reach important adultmilestones, such as graduating fromhigh school, than children who havenever been poor (78 percent vs. 93 per-cent). ey’re also more likely to havea child as a teenager or be involvedwith the criminal justice system, whichcan affect their job prospects and abil-ity to finish school. Children who arepersistently poor-poor for at least halftheir childhood are 13 percent lesslikely to complete high school and 37percent less likely to be consistentlyemployed as young adults than chil-dren who experience poverty for feweryears. Among children who have ex-perienced poverty, those whose parentshave completed high school are 11 per-cent more likely to do the same. Chil-dren whose parents have more than a

h i g hschool ed-u c a t i o nare 30p e r c e n tm o r elikely tocompletehigh schooland almostfive timesmore likely to complete college thanthose whose parents did not graduatehigh school. Moving homes frequentlycan be disruptive for children particu-larly if they move for negative reasons,such as evictions or a family’s need forlower rent. Among children who haveexperienced poverty, children whomove three or more times for negativereasons 15 percent are less likely tocomplete high school and 68 percentlikely to complete a four year collegedegree than those who never move.

Knowing this, what can be done toimprove children’s chances of success?For one, education and training pro-grams for low-educated parents, bun-dled with work supports such as childcare subsidies or Childcare Care Schol-arship Donations for working families.Addressing the needs of the parentsand the children is an important stepfor reinforcing families and helpingchildren to succeed. Even short periodsof childhood poverty can be accompa-nied by uncertainty, stress, and unmetneeds with long-term consequences.Taking steps to provide stability forparents and children will help improvethe outcomes of the next generation.Community Action Partnership , “Helping People, Changing Lives” GetInter-active today with the Commu-nity Action movement, moving fami-lies to self-sufficiency. Focusing onEarly Childhood Education andHomeless Veterans Housing.

Mary Lockhart-White

Executive Director

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What Effects the futuresuccess of poor children.


Dr. Winfred Obleton andMrs. Michelle Obleton are therecipients of e 2018 Most In-fluential African Americans ofLake County Vision Award as acouple.

Dr. Obleton is the senior pas-tor at Waukegan CommunityChurch (WCC) and serves as theAfrican American Coordinatorfor Converge Mid-America. Inthis role he leads the develop-ment and implementation ofcomprehensive strategies forAfrican American churches,church planters, and leadersthrough the Converge Mid-America networks in Illinois,Michigan, St Louis, and Indiana.He is an instructor with TrinityInternational.

Dr. Obleton holds a Bachelorof Arts Degree (B.A.) in Chris-tian Education from WilliamTyndale College, a Master ofeology (.M.) and a Doctorof Ministry Degree (D.Min)from Dallas eological Semi-nary.

Michelle Obleton is the Exec-utive Director of Ministries atWCC and is the Assistant Direc-tor of Lions Math and ScienceChristian Academy. She is anoted speaker, educator, teacherand writer.

e couple has been marriedfor 41 years. ey reside inWaukegan, IL and have twoadult children Shelby and Andreaand one grandson, Jelani Oble-ton.

Dr. Winfred & Michelle Obleton Vision Award

New and Exciting Things are Happening at Lions Math & Science

Christian Academy• DCFS License now includes infants and toddlers• Student expansion includes six-week old though 6th grade• Now offering Spanish as part of the curriculum

• Introducing the extracurricular activity of Praise Dancing• The strong legacy of a quality STEM school with a

Christian focus continues, now in our 18th Year.Founded by the award winning scientist and

humanitarian, Dr. Gloria Jean Swopes.

For more details, or enrollment call or come by1011 Porter Street Waukegan, IL 60085

847-360-1054Visit online at www.lionsacademy.org

First Day of School is Monday, August 28, 2017Fall Registration is Now Open

We Like It Here!!!

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a great experiencefor your child.


Sameia Charity is the recipient of the 2018Most Influential African Americans of LakeCounty Community Service Award.

Sameia is the Director of the Elite StridersPositive Youth Organization “Drill Team &Drum Corp” which was established in 2014. Sheis an educator for Ombudsman alternative schoolin Waukegan, Illinois.

She created the Elite Striders, a positive youthorganization that promotes leadership, integrity,education, and other positive values. e organi-zation uses performing arts as a prevention/inter-vention to decrease negative and risky behaviors

among the youth in the program.Sameia has attended Columbia College of

Missouri, graduating with an Associates of Sci-ence in Human Services and a Bachelors of Artsin Human Services. Sameia is also a graduate ofLiberty University with a Masters of Arts inHuman Services.

Sameia parents are Sanford and Cathy Charity,Sameia was born in Evanston, Illinois, and shehas four children Demetrice, Trynity, Serenity,and Charity.

Sameia Charity Community Service Award

Deidra Collins is the recipient of the2018 Most Influential African Americans ofLake County Humanitarian Award.

Deidra is a native of Zion, and is the solefounder of Women Enuff, Inc, a non-profitorganization originally geared toward assist-ing teen mothers and women in need ofbasic necessities and programming. Pro-gramming is based upon the specific need of

the community and includes, but is not lim-ited to educational and life programs,teaching on subjects such as career prepara-tion, etiquette, pregnancy prevention, do-mestic violence awareness, college readinessand teen mentoring, to name a few.

Deidra’s organization Women Enuff, Inchas now been in existence for 9 years.

Deidria Collins Humanitarian Award

Devon Nelson is the recipient of the2018 Most Influential African Ameri-cans of Lake County Arts and Enter-tainment Award.

DeVon is a journalist and author.She has three books; e Bitter andSweet Around Me, Bitter Can Taste OhSo Sweet, and Gotta Find My WayBack. She received a nomination forOutstanding Achievement in Literaturein 2017 from the African AmericanArts Alliance of Chicago.

DeVon has worked in advertising,public relations and several years as a re-porter for the News-Sun in Waukeganand correspondent for the ChicagoTribune.

DeVon is writing her fourth novel,set for publication in the spring of2018. When not writing DeVon helpsothers become authors, sharing herknowledge of book publishing and pro-motion. She has 1 son Brian.

DeVon Nelson - Arts and Entertainment Award


Vanzetta May Bridgemon is the recipient ofthe 2018 Most Influential African Americansof Lake County Entrepreneurial Award.

Vanzetta is the owner of erapeutic Touchin Waukegan Illinois, a 100% natural place,where she provides an array of professional andcomforting therapies to promote stress reduc-tion, peace of mind and improvements inhealth. She is a licensed nurse with over 20

years experience. She attended the Universityof Chicago, School of Nursing as well as anumber of other institutions.

Vanzetta is a member of the First BaptistChurch in North Chicago, IL., where she is adeaconess, she is married to Charles Bridge-mon, and they have five girls, Candance, Alicia,Charzetta, Julander, and Latonya and 15grandchildren.

Vanzetta May Bridgemon Entrepreneurial Award

Carl Evans is the recipient of the 2018 Most In-fluential African Americans of Lake County Com-munity Service Award.

Carl is the third ward alderman for the City ofNorth Chicago. He is the chairperson of the PublicWorks Committee. Evans was a significant catalystfor the city’s award-winning neighborhood revital-ization program bringing vacant and abandonedbuildings into productive use, and won two Ameri-

can Public Works Association awards.Carl holds an Associates Degree from Robert

Morris College. Carl is also a veteran, having servedin the United States Army. He serves as Vice Chair-man of the Deacons Board, Finance Secretary andVice Chairman of the Finance Committee at Mt.Zion Baptist Church in Waukegan,

Evans is the proud father of daughter, Abriale,and is the proud grandfather to grandson, Cameron.

Carl Evans Community Service Award

Shawn Johnson is the recipient of the 2018 MostInfluential African Americans of Lake County Entre-preneurial Award

Shawn is the CEO, Founder and Educator of ImageBeauty Institute, the first and only State of Illinois De-partment of Regulations Nail Technology School inWaukegan. Image Beauty Institute opened in Decem-ber 2014. Image Beauty Institute has graduated over20 students who have successfully passed the State ofIllinois State Board Exam to become professionally Li-

censed Nail Technicians. Five graduates have openedup beautiful salons around the Lake County area.

Shawn holds Licenses as an Instructor, in Cosme-tologist, and Nail Technician. She is currently workingon implementation of a program to help reduce recidi-vism for women that lack employable job skills, whileteaching nail technology as a vocational skill.

She is a mother of four children Stephanie, Stephen,TraMane and Mark, and she has 3 nana babies,Kennedi, Aubrey and Karlee.

Shawn JohnsonEntrepreneurial Award


Sales Manager WantedThe Soaring Eagle Publishing Company is looking for a full-time Sales Manager. This

person should be internet savvy. The position requirements include management of twonewspaper websites, Facebook accounts, and day-to-day sales administration for multiplepublications. The job requirements include new business prospecting, in-house sales andcustomer service.

The successful candidate must have good interpersonal skills, computer literate, andhave experience with Photo Shop, Illustrator, QuarkExpress, and Microsoft Office Suite prod-ucts. Salary is $35,000 per year with annual raises and bonuses.

For immediate consideration, please forward your resume [email protected].

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Waukegan, Beach Park, Wadsworth, North Chicago & Gurnee

David Weatherspoon is the recipient of the 2018 MostInfluential African Americans of Lake County EducationLeadership Award.

Dr. Weatherspoon is the Director of Student Servicesand Campus Operations at the College of Lake CountyLakeshore Campus in Waukegan IL. He was hired as thefirst male administrator at the Lakeshore Campus.

During Dr. Weatherspoon’s tenure at the college he hasserved on numerous committees targeting outreach initia-

tives for African-American and Latino Students, he hasserved on the Board of the Waukegan Chamber of Busi-nesses Association, He is also the immediate past Basileus(President) of Lake County’s Rho Tau Chapter of OmegaPsi Phi Fraternity Inc.

David recently received his Doctorate in Philosophy ofHigher Education Administration from Illinois State Uni-versity in Bloomington Illinois. He also holds a Master’s De-gree Economics.

Dr. David Weatherspoon Education Leadership Award

J. Tara omas is the recipient of the 2018 MostInfluential African Americans of Lake County CivicLeadership Award.

Tara is the president of the NAACP Lake Countybranch, a former North Chicago teacher, and one ofthe former vice principal of Daisy’s Resource OptionalCenter.

Tara graduated from Wayne State University witha Bachelors’ in History and Language Arts. Sheholds a MAT (Master in Teaching Administration)

from Trinity International University, and a MasterCertification in Automobile Dealership Operationfrom Harvard University A.D.O.T. She is currentlyworking on a Doctoral Degree and Superintendent’sEndorsement at DePaul University.

Tara, a native of Detroit, MI, is pursuing her life-long dream of opening an urban all-girl (North ShoreCollege Prep), and an all-boy college preparatoryschool (Great Lakes College Prep). She is married andhas two sons.

J. Tara Thomas Civic Leadership Award


James Harris is the recipient of the 2018 Most Influ-ential African Americans of Lake County LeadershipAward.

James has been a Real Estate broker and Life Insur-ance agent for 16 years. He served in the U.S. Army in1976 and was trained as an Airborne Helicopter Repair-man. In the early 90’s he relocated to the Lake Countyarea and attends Christian Faith Fellowship Church inZion.

James greatest accomplishments are that of being a

mentor to grade school kids, partnering with Kid’s HopeUSA and his church. He also has supervised hundredsof 12 to14-year-old youth in a Summer Work Programfor over 15 years at his church.

James and wife Alicia founded the Not-For-Profit or-ganization called “Generational Hope Center, Inc.”,which focuses on empowering young children and pro-moting self-sufficiency. James has been married to Aliciafor 20 years and they have 3 children and 3 grandchil-dren.

James Harris Leadership Award

Evangelist Olivia Mitchell is the recipient ofthe 2018 Most Influential African Americans ofLake County Religious Leadership Award.

Evangelist Olivia is licensed and ordained bythe Deliverance Evangelistic Association ofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania and by Rhema Chris-tian Center of Columbus, Ohio. EvangelistOlivia has reached thousands through minister-ing in churches, television, radio and throughministry in national conferences such as theChristian Believers United (CBU), Women of the

Word Conferences conducted throughout theUnited States, God’s Will Conferences and sev-eral Church of God in Christ annual conferences.

Olivia has also ministered in major corpora-tions and college campuses including, Christforthe-Nations, Eastern Illinois University andOhio State University.

Evangelist Olivia is married to Essex Mitchell.ey have three adult children; Melissa, David,Steven and one grandchild Genevieve Elle.

Evangelist Olivia MitchellReligious Leadership Award

Richard Doe is the recipient of the 2018 Most InfluentialAfrican Americans of Lake County Community ServiceAward.

Rick, a hardware engineer within the health care industry,has had the privilege of supporting various education organi-zations including Junior Achievement (JA) and Project Leadthe Way (PLTW).

Rick has co-led his organizations efforts to raise awarenessin STEM fields and to provide opportunities for students toapply and test their understanding of STEM topics. e pri-mary focus of his efforts has been to teach the students essen-

tial engineering principles such as design, modeling, and test-ing. Students are also exposed to various types of lab environ-ments. Rick strongly believes the more the student knows, themore the student grows. e intent behind supporting stu-dents has been to encourage “the power of knowledge” today,so that in turn they become forces of change tomorrow.

Rick was born and raised in South Carolina, his heart forserving the community is inspired by his late grandmother Vir-ginia Carroll. rough her example, she instilled in him thepassion for serving.

Richard DoeCommunity Service Award


Dr. Julia LaVerne Hailey isthe recipient of the 2018 MostInfluential African Americansof Lake County EducationAward.

Dr. Hailey has been em-ployed by Chicago PublicSchools since 1995. She was amember of the old Westing-house Career Academy from1995 – 2007. Dr. Hailey spenttwelve years of active duty mil-itary service (U.S. Army) andeight years in the Army Re-serves. She has received manyawards.

Dr. Hailey’s additionalcommunity activities includetutoring for ACT/SAT, read-ing comprehension, readingassessment, and Waukegan

Township/Lake County Tutorvia Christian Valley MBC. Amember of Christian ValleyMissionary Baptist Church ofNorth Chicago, has serves as a.Sunday School Teacher (AdultClass). Dr. Hailey holds aBachelors’ Degree in EnglishLanguage and Literature, fromSavannah State College, aMasters’ Degree fromConcordia, and a Doc-torate in EducationalLeadership from ArgosyUniversity.

Born and reared inSavannah, Dr. Haileyenjoys spending timewith family she hasthree adult children andsix grandchildren.

Dr. Julia LaVerne Hailey Education Award

Regional Office of EducationRoycealee J. WoodRegional Superintendent of Schools

800 Lancer Lane Suite E-128Grayslake, Illinois 60030-2656Phone 847-543-7833 Direct Line 847-543-7491Fax 847-543-7832E-mail [email protected]

847-665-0595


Charles L. Jones is the recipient of the 2018 Most Influential African Amer-icans of Lake County Business Leadership Award.

Charles is a Human Resources Executive for Mondelez International for 25years (formally Kraft Foods), headquartered in Deerfield, IL. ,. He is currentlythe highest ranking African American in Mondelez International Human Re-sources Function. He served six years as a US Army Officer, 1st Cavalry Divisionin Germany, Iraq and Ft. Hood, TX. He reached the rank of Captain and is adecorated Gulf War Veteran.

Charles is also the CEO and Co-Founder of C&B HR Consulting LLC.e family owned company was established in 2013 to provide human resourcesstrategies and solutions to non-profits and veteran owned businesses. Some ofwhich includes the YWCA in Gurnee, IL; Pride & Hope Family Services inVarnado, LA; and Millennial Corporation in Washington, DC.

Charles is the Immediate Past President of the Lake County Chapter of PhiBeta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and a Charter Member of their Sigma Beta Club.He is a member of Prince Hall Masons, Shriners, Veterans of Foreign Wars,American Legion, National Black MBA Association, Society of Human Re-sources Management and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Mr. Jones has servedon several boards to include the University of Illinois – Lake County Extension,

March of Dimes – Lake County, Oak Grove School Education Foundation,INROADS of Chicago, 100 Black Men of Madison and YMCA of Madison.

Charles earned a BS in Finance from Jackson State University and a MBAfrom Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

Charles is a native of Mississippi. He is married, and has two daughters.

Charles L. JonesBusiness Leadership Award


Michelle Obleton

Soaring on Broken

W I N G SCalling All

Super Heroes

ecently, I had the privilege of going to the movies to watchthe Black Panther. Before I arrived I received a super heromask by a friend to wear while attending. To my surprise

many people came dressed in black as super heroes. It was somuch fun. is 2018 American Superhero film based on the mar-vel comic characters in just three days blew the socks off theatreswith a 201.8 million box office sales. It is estimated that this willbe the number one movie in 2018. e Black Panther, played byChadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Lupita Nyong’o toname a few captured my heart and transported me to the nationof Wakanda where “warriors” fought for the protection of theirpeople, nation and for their rightful place on earth.

What struck me most was how many super heroes have beenelevated to their greatness after losing a father. T’Challa, returnshome after the death of his father to the isolated technologicallyadvanced African nation to succeed the throne and take his right-ful place as king. Clark Kent rises to the man of Steel known as“Superman” after losing his father. Peter Parker’s father died andhe was raised by an uncle who also died and thus he became “Spi-der Man”. Bruce Wayne became “Batman” after the death of hisfather. Even in the Disney film Lion King which does not portraya comic character, yet the theme is the same. Mufusa dies andSimba must rise up and take his rightful place as King. e mis-sion of each hero seems to be the same; to defeat the foes thatthreaten the safety of the people in the city, jungle and the world.

When I think of the death of a significant father, I can’t helpbut think of the death of Jesus Christ. He was put to death bythose who wanted to silence his loving authority and spiritual lead-ership shown to all mankind. e difference with Jesus and thecomic characters is that Jesus did not stay dead. He rose from thedead with all power and authority. I guess we could say He wasmore than a marvel comic character He was the real deal, a truesupernatural hero and He still is. is same resurrection powerthat raised Jesus from the dead has been transferred to those thatbelong to Him as His sons and daughters.

Did you know that your heavenly father is a super hero? Didyou know that makes you a super hero too? We have an “otherworldly strength” to fight the battles that are hurled at us each day.We are warriors of the faith and don’t forget it. So there is a callgoing out to all children of the greatest champion of the world.e enemy seeks to render you defeated, but you must make astand, take up your position and be a superhero.

Michelle Obleton

R


Soulful SundaysBible Study / Sunday School

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Hour of Power Worship

From 10:30 am - Noon

Meeting at Hampton Inn550 Grand Avenue, Gurnee

PO Box 1802Gurnee, IL 60031

847-770-5157Find us on Facebook

[email protected]

North ShoreFAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH

Rev. Rosemarie Green, Senior Pastor


North Shore Community Service League Members

Carol Stewart, Brigitta Dunning, Vicki Estes- Brown, Candice Quinn, Jeanette Keyes, and Shelia Ivory.

North Shore Community Service League - Humanitarian Award

e North Shore Community Service League, as a group, are the recipients of the 2018Most Influential African Americans of Lake County Humanitarian Award. e organizationhas been in existence since 1957 and is the oldest and most long standing African Americanorganization in Lake County and the first to offer scholarships to African Americans studentsin the community. e League sponsors an annual Cotillion where young ladies are mentoredand introduced to society.


Mt. Zion Missionary BaptistChurch of Waukegan

409 Wainlow Avenue• Waukegan, IL 60085

847-244-5503Sunday:

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.Sunday Evening Service 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday:Mid-week Worship Study 7:00 p.m.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man beborn again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. -John 3:3

Pastor: Rev. Arthur J. Gass Sr.

Church ScheduleChristian Education 10:00 a.m.Sunday Morning Worship 11:30 a.m.4th Sunday, Women's Ministry 11:30 A.m.

Tuesday Fast & Prayer 7:00 p.m. • Thurs.Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Phone • 1-847-689-1955 : Fax: 1-847-689-2917

Living Waters Apostolic Pentecostal Church

2001 Seymour AvenueNorth Chicago, Illinois 60064-0559

YCM - Youth Leadership Award

Youth Change Makers is a youthbased community and school organi-zation started by Javonte Taylor andJoshua Davis. As a group, they werepresented the Youth LeadershipAward.

ese students at Zion CentralMiddle School founded the organiza-tion as a strategy to “be the change”that they perceived needed to happenin the community and in school.

Two eighth graders at the ZionCentral Middle School, Javonte Taylorand Joshua Davis, formed an organiza-tion to make a difference in the com-munity. Known as the “Youth ChangeMakers”, the organization was estab-lished to engage youth in making adifference in Lake County.

According to Javonte Taylor, heand his friends saw the poverty andnegative things that permeated theminds of today’s youth.

“So, we decided to take action,”says Taylor. “ We wanted to get moreyouth involved. Our involvement will

be based on positive impacts towardsour community of Lake County andworldwide.”

Some of those students who are ac-tive in the organization are JenniferLopez, Nicholas Palamentes, D. Fos-ter, T. Foster, and Trinity Wallace.

With action in mind, the group chal-lenged themselves and worked with thecommunity to collect over 200 cases ofwater for the Hurricane Maria victimsin Puerto Rico. e students collectedfood and gave out anksgiving Bas-kets, to deserving families. ey madehot chocolate and candy canes, and at-tached to the canes an inspirationalquote for the teachers at Central MiddleSchool. Additionally, they work withFeed my Starving Children, in Liber-tyville, where they collect and pack foodto send out to Haiti and other countrieswere there was a need.

Youth Change Makers were spon-sored at the Most Influential AfricanAmericans of Lake County Awards byConsumers Credit Union.

Dr. Constance Collins, Javonte Taylor, Joshua Davis, and David Northern, Sr.


Documents

Judge George Bridges, Sr. - cdn.initial-website.com · youth. As Judge George Bridges, the 2018 Most Influential African American said in his acceptance speech, we (as a people) need