Juneteenth Celebration of Black Achievers on June 15 at Governors State
U.S. Rep Robin Kelly and Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers Currin among those to be honored
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(University Park, Ill.) - Juneteenth Celebration of Black Achievers, hosted by Governors State University (GovState) and the Illinois Black Hall of Fame Advisory Council, will embrace an evening of elegance, networking, ethnic cuisine, entertainment, and a showcase of Illinois’ Black Notables on June 15, 2024. The headliners to be inducted into the IBHOF CLASS OF 2024 are U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly, Danny K. Davis, Brigadier General Tomika M. Seaberry and Honorable Judge Vincent F. Cornelius. Past inductees of this most prestigious group include Dr. Timuel D. Black, Mayor Harold Washington (posthumously), and John W. Rogers Jr.
The honorees for Black Women of First Distinction (BWOFD) to be inducted into the Class of 2024, include Mayor Sheila Chalmers -Currin, the First Black Woman Mayor of Matteson, Illinois, and Dr. Georgiana Simpson (Posthumously), the First Black Woman to receive a PhD in German from the University of Chicago in 1921 and the second Black Woman in America to be awarded this honor during the same year.
Past inductees into the Black Women of First Distinction include U.S. Representative Robin Kelly, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, GovState President, Dr. Cheryl Green, former Olympia Fields Mayor, State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin. Additionally, scholarships will be awarded at the event to students in the names of each the IBHOF honorees.
WHO: The Illinois Black Hall of Fame (IBHOF) Advisory Council, an Affiliate of the African American Ladies’ Foundation and Governors State University (GovState).
WHAT: IBHOF CLASS OF 2024 are U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly, Danny K. Davis, Brigadier General Tomika M. Seaberry and Honorable Judge Vincent F. Cornelius. Past inductees of this most prestigious group include Dr. Timuel D. Black, Mayor Harold Washington (posthumously), and John W. Rogers Jr. The honorees for Black Women of First Distinction (BWOFD) to be inducted into the CLASS OF 2024, include Mayor Chalmers Currin, the First Black Woman Mayor of Matteson, Illinois, and Dr. Georgiana Simpson (Posthumously), the First Black Woman to receive a PhD in German from the University of Chicago in 1921 and the second Black Woman in America to be awarded this honor during the same year.
WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 5:00pm.
WHERE: Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy, University Park, IL.
WHY: The federal Juneteenth holiday provides an opportunity for the Black Community to embrace its culture and heritage, said Dr. Ceola Davis Barnes, ('75) IBHOF Conceptual Founder and GovState alumnae. “It will fuel a sense of Black Pride as we uphold the mission of the Illinois Black Hall of Fame (ILBHOF) by, Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Inspiring the Future.”
Dr. Cheryl Green, President of GovState stated: “Illinois has a long and proud legacy of African American leaders, innovators and trailblazers who have created a positive impact and left an indelible mark on communities across the nation. Governors State University congratulates the 2024 Illinois Black Hall of Fame inductees for their powerful contributions.”
For more information on how you may attend this event or donate to the Honorees’ Scholarship fund, please go to www.ibhof.org.
Contact: Richard Boykin, 708-550-4350