2005 Lightbearer awardees are congratulated for their contributions to encourage the love of reading among young people. Pictured (l-r): Dr. Clarence Nixon, Jr., President and CEO Chicago Defender and Co-Chair of the Lightbearer benefit, Event MC Zoraida Sambolin, Channel 5 Chicago, Lee Brown, former Area Instructional Officer for the Chicago Public School System, Tommy Ford, children's book author and actor (Martin Lawrence Show), State Senator Mattie Hunter, Wynona Redmond, Director of Pubic Affairs for Dominick's Finer Foods, Ida Cross-Pruitt, Chairperson, Institute for Positive Living Board, John Monds, Morning Host, Love FM, and Marrice Coverson, President, Institute for Positive Living.
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Three to be Honored at Lightbearer Benefit for
the Open Book Program on Thursday May 3, 2007
Featuring: The Other Dream Girls, “Steppin’
to the Dark Side,” and other Mo-Town Greats
Lester N. Coney, Executive Vice President, Mesirow Financial, Zoraida Sambolin, Anchor for NBC-Channel 5, and Louanner Peters, Deputy Governor-Illinois will be this year’s honorees at the Lightbearer benefit for the Institute for Positive Living’s Open Book Program on Thursday, May 3, 2007, 5 - 10 pm at Marmon Grand Ballroom, 2230 S. Michigan Ave., in Chicago. The Lightbearer event, themed “Making Dreams Come True,” will feature The Other Dream Girls, “Steppin’ to the Dark Side,” and other Mo-Town greats. Highlights will also include Spoken Word poetry, a silent auction, a sumptuous buffet, music, and dancing. Tickets are $125/person and may be obtained by calling 773-924-9802. Make checks payable to The Institute for Positive Living.
“The Institute for Positive Living's Open Book Program is proud to honor these three outstanding individuals who share the belief that children should be encouraged to enjoy the art of reading,” states Institute for Positive Living President Marrice Coverson. “Our honorees and their respective organizations are among those who support the Open Book Program's efforts to encourage the development of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.”
The Open Book program, in keeping with our commitment to children’s literacy, will feature The Other Dream Girls—talented performing artists who inspire our young participants to develop their own performing arts creations based on the books they have read. Performances will also be presented by Open Book participants. Another highlight of the evening is the Lightbearer Silent Auction, which will include a variety of gifts such as travel packages, book baskets, fine art and antiques.
The Open Book Program is a multi-faceted after-school program for young adolescents. The Program engages youth in activities that encourage development of their reading, writing and critical thinking skills.
Open Book is currently funded in nine Chicago public schools: Beethoven, Johns Academy, Mayo, McCorkle, Oglesby, Price, White Career Academy, Williams Multiplex, and University of Chicago-Donoghue. In addition Open Book and the Institute of Positive Living has developed a variety of programs for residents of Lawless Gardens.
Past Lightbearer honorees have included: Alderman Shirley E. Coleman, 16th Ward, Former Senate Minority Leader, Emil Jones; David Whittaker, Executive Director, Chicago Area Project; Frank Gihan, Director of Community Relations, Chicago Tribune Charities,. the Church of The Spirit, Daryl Handy, former Director of External Affairs, Ameritech; Elzie Higginbottom, CEO/President, East Lake Management; Ralph Hughes, Regional Director, Marshall Fields State Street; John Clark, President/CEO, Reggio’s Pizza; Wallace E. Goode, City of Chicago’s Empowerment Zone; Susan Levy, R.R. Donnelley and Sons; Doug Mabie, Springboard Foundation; Darryl Newell, President, 100 Black Men of Chicago; Hosea Sanders, ABC-7 Chicago; Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Author and Illustrator; Phillip Nyden, Professor of Sociology and Director of Urban Research and Learning, Loyola University Chicago, Joe Moore, Manager, Community Relations, Shell Oil, Frederick McNeal Jr., Principal of Mayo Elementary School, Merri Dee, Director of Community Relations, WGN-TV, Wynona Redmond, Pubic Relations Manager for Dominick's Finer Foods, State Senator Mattie Hunter, Lee Brown, former Area Instructional Officer for the Chicago Public School System and Tommy Ford, children's book author and actor.
“We are grateful to the many people who continue to make the Lightbearer Benefit a memorable evening,” states Coverson. “As our attendance continues to grow, we thank our friends and supporters, as well as the local media who help us tell our story. Mostly, we thank the youth who participate in the Open Book program, celebrating reading and children’s literacy every day.”
For more information, please call 773-924-9802.
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