Harold Washington a “Giant in the History of Big City Mayors” – 30th Anniversary Tribute Committee kicks-off Month-Long Celebration

 

30th  Anniversary Harold Washington Tribute Committee kicks-off Month-Long Celebration & Campaign to immortalize the Harold Washington Legacy

 

CHICAGO, IL – The charismatic late Mayor Harold Washington is noted for transforming Chicago’s political environment and creating an open all-inclusive government that represents Chicago’s rich diversity.  Citizens, civic, faith, and political leaders are launching an effort to ensure that the memory of Harold Washington’s legacy is not forgotten on April 12, 2013 at the Ramada Lake Shore in Hyde Park where the former mayor announced his candidacy.  The 30^th Anniversary commemoration is being presented under the title: “The Man, the Moment, the Movement.”

The committee will announce a month-long series of events coordinated in collaboration with various community based organizations, academic, and cultural institutions that highlight Harold Washington’s impact and influence culturally, politically, and economically. In addition, a Harold Washington Scholarship Fund will be initiated for students pursing public service careers (see attached Schedule of Events).

This effort to memorialize the emergence of Harold Washington as Chicago’s first African American Mayor in the city’s then 149- year history is led by the Harold Washington Tribute Committee.  The committee represents a diverse group of citizens who believe Harold Washington’s transformative accomplishments and legacy should be recognized, preserved, and perpetuated for future generations. 

Honorary Co-chair, the Honorable Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois and a Harold Washington contemporary said, “Harold Washington will be remembered as a giant in the history of America’s Big-City mayors. Not content to be a trailblazer, he was transformational, profoundly changing the way Chicago governs itself.”

Committee convener, political activist, and Chicago socialite Josie Childs said, “Chicago leads the nation in producing profoundly iconic leadership examples and Harold Washington ranks among the best for breaking racial and gender barriers while advancing progressive urban policies.” 

Childs points to the success of Harold Washington’s campaign in mobilizing unprecedented numbers of non-traditional voters and benchmark administration accomplishments including:

•          Created the Ethics Commission

•          Issued an executive order increasing minority business contracts

•          Opened government with a Freedom of Information executive order

•          Led fight for ward redistricting; more black and Hispanic representation

•          Fought for equal provision of public services; neighborhood street, curb and gutter repair

•          Opened the city’s budget process for public input and participation

•          Encouraged neighborhood festivals and projects

•          Led movement for Illinois’ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Bill

For complete information regarding HWTC activities visit:  www.MayorHaroldWashington.com or call Josie Childs:  773- 643-4828.

Date:   April 12, 2013          Time: 10:00 a.m.

Event: Opening Kick-off Press Conference and Reception

Location:   Ramada Lake Shore Chicago

4900 S Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60615 US

Maps & Directions

Details: The Ramada Inn called then called the “50^th on the Lake” Hotel on November 10, 1982 is where the Honorable Mayor Harold Washington accepted the call from the citizens of Chicago and declared his candidacy to be the first African American Mayor of Chicago. Contact:  Don Rashid: 312-972-6700

Date:  April 12, 2013         Time:  6:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.

Event:   “Commemorative Election Reception”

Location:  The Marmon Grand , 2230 S. Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL 60616

(312) 225-8100 

Details: Harold Washington was elected April 12, 1983. Citizens are invited to attend this commemorative post election event and share their remembrances of the electrifying Harold Washington election and how he continues to inspire individuals to achieve personal and civic greatness.  The general public is invited to join the celebration at no cost.  Donations for the Harold Washington Scholarship Fund will be accepted.  Contact:  Josie Childs:  773-643-4828

Date:  April 16, 2013    Time:  2:30 p .m. – 4:00 p.m.

Event: The Harold Washington Legacy

Location:  Chicago State University, 9501 S King Drive, Chicago, IL 60628

Library Auditorium, 4^th Floor

(773) 995-2000 

 Details: The panel discussion on the legacy of Harold Washington, moderated by CSU  Lionel Kimbel, Associate Professor of History, CSU will look at:

·       the grass roots movement that helped to secure Mayor Washington’s election

·       the unique programs and systems that Mayor Washington implemented during his administration

·       his legacy for the city and for the office

Loisteen Walker Woods

Director of Administration

Department of Family & Support Services, Labor Relations Divisi

Dr. Robert T. Starks

Professor of Educational Inquiry and Curriculum Studies

Northeastern Illinois University 

Mr. George Jackson

Retired Asst. Commissioner

Department of Water, Water Management 

Professor Dick W. Simpson

University of Illinois at Chicago

Department of Political Science

College of Liberal Arts and Science 

Date: Friday, April 19, 2013   Time:  10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m

Event: Harold Washington’s Progressive Jobs, Economic, and Neighborhood Development Policies: Lessons Learned for the 21^st Century

Location:  Egan Urban Center, DePaul University, One East Jackson, Chicago, Illinois

Contact:  Steven Alexander     Phone:  312.362.6000

Details:  Mayor Harold Washington’s administration implemented several progressive urban policies that were focused on transforming Chicago’s economic and political environment in order to elevate the quality of life for all Chicagoans – with a special emphasis on low and moderate-income families. To highlight these policies and programs, DePaul University’s Egan Urban Center’s event will include:

·       A presentation on the Washington administration’s approach to developing and implementing what several scholars described as one of the most progressive and innovative jobs, economic, and neighborhood development programs in the nation.

·       A panel of policy makers who participated in developing and supporting Washington’s jobs and economic development policies and programs will discuss how the “movement” influenced the administration’s governance.

Audience questions and comments will follow the presentations that will hopefully help develop an outreach and advocacy strategy for institutionalizing effective job creation and economic development policies and strategies for the 21^st century – that benefit low and moderate income communities.

Date:  Sunday, April 22, 2013

Event:  Spiritual Reflection

Location:  Faith communities across Chicagoland are encouraged to acknowledge Harold Washington during their respective services and gatherings.  Reflecting on how the former mayor was an ambassador for peace in reducing violence in our communities.

Details: Harold Washington embraced faith communities in mobilizing the masses to become civically engaged.  The Reverend John Porter, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church received Harold Washington as Mayor-elect on November 10, 1982. “Lord we thank you, for the man, the moment and the movement have come together.” 

Date: April 27, 2013    Time:  9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Event: Harold Washington Youth Summit 2013: Youth Celebration and Civic Engagement Project”

Location:  Northeastern Illinois University Center for Inner City Studies, 700 E Oakwood Blvd, Chicago, IL

(773) 268-7500 , contact:  James Hill:  773-457-8619  

Details: Young adult professionals and students will focus on educational reform, voter education, health and wellness promotion, and social entrepreneurship issues.  The event is coordinated in association with Hip Hop Detoxx, the Young and Powerful Group, and Concerned Christian Men.

Date: April 26, 2013     Time:  5:30p.m. – 7:30p.m.

Event:  Know Your Harold!

Location:   DuSable High School, 4934 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

(773) 535-1100

Details:  Chicago Public School students will culminate a citywide academic competition coordinated by Urban Solutions that showcases student knowledge of former Mayor Harold Washington.  The event will be hosted by Robin Robinson, FOX 32 TV News Anchor.  DuSable High School is where Harold Washington, respected for his academic prowess and sophisticated debate acumen, cultivated his eloquent oratory skills and fervent passion for education.  For information contact:  Karen Gunn, Urban Solutions:  (773) 783-5970

Date: Sunday, April 28, 2013

Time:  2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.  

Event:  Remembering Mayor Harold Washington

Location:  DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

773.947.0600

Details:  Harold Washington became the first African-American Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1983 until his death in 1987.  He continues to be revered and beloved all over the country.  In this special tribute program, we discuss ground breaking moments in his mayoral career; highlights of his many impactful speeches; hear from some of his trusted friends and confidants; and honor the legacy of “Chicago’s ambassador to the world,” Mayor Harold Lee Washington. The program will also include performances dedicated to his memory.

Date:  Monday, April 29, 2013    Time:  5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Event:  Closing Celebration featuring the Chi-Lites!

Location:  Harold Washington Cultural Center , 4701 S Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago, IL 60653

  (773) 373-1900

Details: Citizens are invited to attend the closing commemorative celebration on the day that Harold Washington was inaugurated as the first American Mayor of Chicago in its then 149 history.  Proceeds from this ticketed event will support the Harold Washington Scholarship fund.

About the Tribute Committee

 The committee represents a diverse group of citizens and civic leaders who believe Harold Washington’s transformative accomplishments and legacy should be recognized,preserved, and perpetuated for future generations. For more information visit: www.mayorharoldwashington.com   

Attendees:         

Josie B. Childs, Tribute Committee Chair and Committee Convener,

 Jesse Jackson, Sr, Founder, Rainbow PUSH Coalition,

Timuel Black, Historian 

Ed Gardner, Soft-Sheen Founder and Harold Washington Grassroots Fund Raiser       

David Orr, Clerk, Cook County, appointed Vice- Mayor by Harold Washington

 Jane Ramsey, Harold Washington, Campaign Organizer

Invited:

                             Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois

                             Toni Preckwinkle, President, Cook County Board 

Contact:  Don Rashid            Phone:  312-972-6700

                   Deborah Crable    Phone:  773-547-0777 

Date:                  April 12, 2013

Time:                 10:00 a.m.

Event:                Kick-off Press Conference and Reception

Location:           RAMADA LAKE SHORE CHICAGO

                           4900 S Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60615  

Details:  The 30^th Anniversary Harold Washington Tribute Committee will announce Harold Washington commemorative activities planned for April including a Harold Washington Scholarship Fund fundraising event and long-range goals to immortalize the legacy of Chicago’s first African-American mayor.