November 23 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees

While teaching and coaching at Prospect, I became the first Girl’s Athletic Director at Prospect from the early 70’s until my retirement in 2000.  While I was the A.D. at Prospect, we hosted many IHSA Regionals and Sectionals in a variety of sports. I was fortunate to get in on the ground floor of the State Tennis Tournament and worked on every state tennis tournament since it’s inception in 1972. I was the state meet manager for 22 years assisting in all the tournaments for the first 40 years.

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Professional Actor Martin Lawrence was nominated by Don Barge Photography.  In his absence, his agent Jenni was in communications with CiF Productions regarding his award. As an American actor and comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor. He got his start playing Maurice Warfield in What's Happening Now!! . He was a leading actor in the Fox television sitcom Martin, the Bad Boys franchise, and House Party, and lots more.

Dr. Sheri is not your average physician leader - she's a trailblazing visionary who's changing the face of healthcare. As a board-certified occupational and environmental medicine physician, public health expert, and breast cancer survivor, Dr. Sheri has a unique perspective on medicine that transcends traditional practices. She has been the catalyst for transformation in the space of cultural and workplace diversity for a myriad of organizations for nearly three decades and lots more.

Committed to Anti-Bullying, Mental Health Awareness and Opportunity.  The Shanquella Brenda Robinson (SBR) Helping Hands Foundation, Founded by Quilla Long, exists to help adults who have experienced bullying, tragedy, or other difficult life circumstances.  We provide scholarships, community, outreach, counseling resources, education, and financial support to promote mental health awareness and empower individuals & communities to stand up against bullying and inequity. Based in North Carolina.

Art Norman is a special contributor to NBC 5 News. His "Making a Difference" segments feature extraordinary people making a difference in their communities across the Chicago area. He also co-hosts "Tech Trends" segments with NBC 5’s Charlie Wojciechowski.  In 2021 Art was honored by the National of Black Journalists with the Chuck Stone Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is "presented to journalists whose lifetime work has had a positive and long-lasting impact on the journalism profession."

Betty R. Clawson is known around the country for her classes on transformation and business building. The Founding Dean of Dudley Cosmetology University in Kernersville, NC, and, for the last 30 years, the Founding Director of Dudley Beauty College in Chicago. The author of her personal memoir, now in its third printing, entitled “If It Wasn’t In You, You Would Not See It In Me”.

The definition of a mother is to establish, to direct, to protect, and to support her young.  

Featured artist in the Navy Pier's newest attraction. Fly Over Chicago, Winner of 2023 Chicago Music Awards. Best Gospel Choir 2023, Nominated for Stellar Award 2023, Created first international conference. Think Big Conference 2023. Humanitarian Outreach.  Adopted Orphanage in Barcelona. Qualba House, built a well for village in Monrovia, Liberia, Soul Santa Village, Toy giveaway, Back to school bookbag giveaway Summer Bash, Taped several episodes of Feed The Children with Mavis Staples & more..  

Representative Carol Ammons is the bicameral chair of the Illinois Black Caucus, as well as the chair of the Small Business, Tech Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Committee. Additionally, she is a senior member of the Education Appropriations committees, displaying a deep-rooted passion for educational excellence. With an illustrious career spanning sixteen years across county at levels of government, she is currently in her fifth term representing the 103rd district in the Ill General Assembly. 

Founder/CEO of HOOP HARD OR GET OFF THE COURT. Englewood raised and pulling himself up from the bootstraps, He partnered with CPD & CFD to help with his vision.  Pastor Father Michael Pfleger, a community Chicagoland Activist opened up his establishment, the Ark of Saint Sabina for Daniels vision to grow.  He has built relationships with coaches, parents & basketball players to help him make a difference in the lives of youth. He's passionate for making the streets safer place  with one hoop at a time..  

Ph.D./Publisher, AFRICA-USA Today Magazine.  A Nigerian American renowned Author/Writer/Publisher in Chicago.  He's collaborated over seventy consecutive editions monthly. His philanthropic goal is to continue to encourage young academic scholars to submit their term papers for credit. His push is to give back to the community that invested in us. It's on behalf of his Editorial and Volunteer Membership services of the AFRICA-USA Today Magazine. The main goal is to keep the excitement for Youth.

25-year veteran Chicago Police Offier currently is a recruiter for the Retention Department out of 1st Deputy Office.  She has numerous impressive accolades and sits on the board for Roseland hospital to ensure that the community receives the best quality of care in a community that has been overlooked for funding and resources.  She sits on the committee of NAACP political and criminal justice.  She keeps the community award of the legal system. She was also a tactical officer and role model.  

Jermaine L. Anderson has been instrumental in educating and empowering individuals and businesses to discover their purpose and achieve personal and professional success. Over the years, he has taken a leading role in initiatives that support families, underserved communities, and youth across America.   Jermaine launched the I AM A GENTLEMAN, INC. foundation in March of 2016. The foundation provides mentorship and leadership development to young men aged 13-21 around the country.   

Traci is an Author and Creative Visionary of B.I.B.O (Beauty In, Beauty Out) Empire, entailing a national award ceremony, a weekly talk show and a nonprofit foundation that focuses on young, disadvantaged women.  BIBO is empowering, educational and uplifting.   Her personal journey makes it her passion to help single moms who were financially challenged, benefit women support groups.  Her shows embody the uplifting and positive vibes of her motivation and encourages women to be powerful as well.

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Richard Derr wears several hats including owning a local toy shop (Learning Express Lake Zurich) for 28 years in the same exact location. He franchised Learning Express stores in the Midwest as Regional Developer for the Learning Express Toys national franchise. He also has been named the President of the LE Franchise Advisory Council for the last six years representing all franchisees (92 currently) to the corporation. He also is on the ASTRA toy association Marketing Commitee & is a leader. 

Professional Actress was nominated by Allison Jordan.  In her absence, her assistant was in communications with CIF Productions.  

Sidora completed numerous industrial films and was the youngest member of the "Hook Players Theater Ensemble" in Hollywood, California, with residence at the Richard Pryor Theater.[1] At age 9, she appeared in the Fox TV movie Divas, acting alongside Khalil Kain, Lisa Nicole Carson and Nicole Ari Parker.

Besides her roles in That's So Raven & lots more.

Dr. Sheri is not your average physician leader - she's a trailblazing visionary who's changing the face of healthcare. As a board-certified occupational and environmental medicine physician, public health expert, and breast cancer survivor, Dr. Sheri has a unique perspective on medicine that transcends traditional practices. She has been the catalyst for transformation in the space of cultural and workplace diversity for a myriad of organizations for nearly three decades and lots more.

A formidable Japanese and French-speaking felony trial attorney, Judie Lyn Smith speaks internationally on law, government, and cultural diversity. In July 2023, she spoke as a symposium panelist on topics of women in law and government in Tiberias, Israel. Judie also delivered the keynote address to representatives of the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, which highlighted the importance of including women in the disparate affairs of government. She studied at the Sorbonne during college.