The Bolingbrook Black History Month Awareness Club is set to mark its 26th annual event on Saturday, February 10th, 2024, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Bolingbrook High School, 365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL.
This free, family-friendly event is a vibrant platform for raising awareness and understanding of Black History. Hosted by the spirited Chicago comedian Bryant BLT Turner, Bolingbrook’s Black History Month Awareness Club aims to make a meaningful impact in spreading awareness and education of Black history within the community. The program highlights will feature an anticipated performance from Black Magician Spellbinder, author, poet, spoken-word artist Anita Riddle, and the Jubilee youth and adult choir. Honor roll students from Valley View District 365U middle schools will be introduced, and scholarships will be awarded to seniors residing in Bolingbrook who have been accepted to college.
This year’s notable Hall of Fame award will be presented to Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and Twelfth Circuit Court Judge Vincent Cornelius. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood serves Illinois’ 14th Congressional District and was first sworn into Congress on January 3, 2019. She is the first woman, person of color, and millennial to represent her community in Congress. Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Vincent Cornelius is an esteemed Circuit Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Will County, IL, Judge Cornelius, and the 140th Illinois State Bar Association President, holds a distinguished service record. He was the first African American to serve as ISBA president. Judge Cornelius has made significant contributions to the legal community, including serving as Illinois Bar Foundation President and Chancellor of the Academy of Illinois Lawyers.
Past Hall of Fame award recipients include retired American baseball left fielder Billy Williams, Congressman Danny Davis, and Rev. Jesse Jackson.
The event, held during Black History Month, is designed for all residents, regardless of race or origin, to build bridges of tolerance and understanding. Sponsors for the event include Valley View District 365U, the Village of Bolingbrook, Fountaindale Public Library, Great Lakes Credit Union, Illinois American Water, Bolingbrook Bank and Trust, and various local businesses.
The celebration is open to the public and features entertainment, children’s activities, complimentary snacks and drinks, and exciting raffle prizes. For more information on The Bolingbrook Black History Month Awareness Club, visit www.bolingbrookblackhistory.com