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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                                MARCH 13, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 27

             Bridging Cultures: Chicago’s Resplendent Tribute to

                African American Heroes Amid Global Harmonies

            OUR BUREAU
            Chicago, IL
                  he Center for Englewood, locat-
                  ed at 838 W. Marquette Road,
            TChicago, IL, transformed into a
            beacon of cultural unity and historical
            reverence as Global Eye Magazine
            hosted its Black History Month Cele-
            brations Honoring our African Amer-
            ican Community Heroes. From 2:00
            pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday, February
            21, 2026, this event drew a diverse
            crowd of community leaders, elected
            officials, artists, and residents to com-
            memorate the enduring legacy of Af-  Celeste, Antonio R. Crossley, Zion
            rican American contributions.     Ali, Comedian D Patrick, De’Vaulle
                Amidst a backdrop of empow-   Barber, Semajay, Ju-Well, Jaylien Ja-
            erment, harmony, and heritage, the   vanna, Comedian DatDamnDeeD-
            gathering not only spotlighted 20 local   ee, Karen Jones-Blanton, and Cyrus
            heroes but also fostered cross-cultur-  Jackson. Each recipient shared poi-
            al bridges, coinciding serendipitously   gnant stories of community service,
            with Chinese New Year celebrations.  from entrepreneurship and autism
            This fusion underscored the event’s   advocacy  to  motivational  speaking
            profound  importance  in  promoting   and comedy. Brittney Riley, CEO
            inclusivity, resilience, and shared hu-  of Riley Rentals, delivered a stirring
            man progress in a city renowned for   tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.,
            its vibrant multiculturalism.     leading the audience in a call-and-re-
                The afternoon unfolded with a   sponse chant: “I may be poor, but I
            meticulously curated schedule  that   am somebody,” emphasizing self-re-
            blended introspection, entertainment,  spect and resilience. This interactive
            and inspiration.  Attendees  began  by   element innovatively transformed the
            browsing vendor stalls, setting a com-  award segment into a collective affir-
            munal tone with local artisans show-  mation, fostering emotional engage-
            casing culturally infused products like   ment and unity.           ny K. Davis, a member of the U.S.  ed the “profound and unique signif-
            motivational apparel and handmade     Performances injected creativity   House Ways and Means Committee,  icance” of blending Black History
            accessories. Faith Jackson, the event’s   and innovation throughout.   and Congressman Raja Krishnamoor-  Month with the Chinese Spring Fes-
            dynamic host and an African Amer-     Zion Ali’s energetic rap blended   thi, from the Committee on Intelli-  tival, noting how both traditions sym-
            ican poet and author of works such   youth activism with rhythmic beats,  gence, joined State Rep. La Shawn   bolize renewal and family reunion. He
            as “Anointed Scroll” and “Diadem   addressing political empowerment   K. Ford, Ambassador Wang Baodong   paid tribute to American icons like Dr.
            of Glory,” kicked off the proceedings   and Black excellence. Quiet Storm’s   (Consul General of the People’s Re-  Martin Luther King Jr., whose “I Have
            with an opening poem. Her pieces,  poetic delivery and Comedian Dat-  public of China), and Rep. Stephanie   a Dream” speech is taught in Chinese
            “Heaven” and “Melanin,” evoked    DamnDeeDee’s humorous anecdotes   Kifowit,  Illinois  Comptroller  candi-  schools, and  Frederick  Douglass for
            thunderous applause, creatively weav-  on overcoming adversity through faith   date. Their presence highlighted bi-  opposing the Chinese Exclusion Act.
            ing  themes  of  divine  empowerment   and laughter provided comic relief,  partisan and international support. A  Wang also honored Reverend Jesse
            and Black pride through rhythmic   while Faith Jackson’s comedy inter-  novel approach was the integration   Jackson Sr. with condolences and in-
            verses that celebrated melanin as   lude introducing her father added a   of Chinese New Year elements, with   voked his mantra, “Keep hope alive.”
            a symbol of strength and historical   familial, relatable touch. A soul train   Ambassador Wang  tossing  symbolic   The  core  message  centered  on
            endurance. Jackson’s performance   line encouraged spontaneous dancing   horse  figurines  representing  perse-  shared perseverance and global stabil-
            innovatively incorporated audience   and fellowship, innovatively merging   verance in the Year of the Horse into   ity, referencing recent U.S.-China dip-
            participation, urging cheers for self-  nostalgia with modern community   the crowd, symbolizing prosperity and   lomatic engagements, including Presi-
            love and cultural affirmation, turning   bonding. Vendors were introduced   forging ahead. This creative cultural   dent Trump’s upcoming visit to China.
            passive listeners into active celebrants.  during breaks, allowing for engaging   crossover, listed as a UN intangible   This pronouncement underscored the
                Awards presentations dominated   interactions where attendees pur-  cultural heritage in 2024, innovative-  impact of cultural diplomacy, inspir-
            the  mid-afternoon,  honoring  20  he-  chased items like custom shirts with   ly paralleled Black  History Month’s   ing attendees to view history as a liv-
            roes including Vennessa Jones-Red-  empowering slogans, such as “Dare   themes of renewal and hope.   ing bridge between nations, fostering
            mond, Brittney Riley, Senyah Haynes,  to Stand Out to Become Outstanding”   A standout moment was Ambas-  optimism amid global challenges and
            Jacqueline Kennedy, Vernetta Jack-  from Ju-Well.                   sador Wang Baodong’s speech, which   leaving a lasting impression of unity’s
            son, Queen Deborah, Queen Drie,       Special guests elevated the event’s   encapsulated the event’s multicultural   transformative power.
            Carshina  Washington,  Adrienne   global resonance. Congressman Dan-  ethos. In his address, Wang highlight-  --Asian Media USA

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