The Museum of Science and Industry was the site of the Black Creativity Gala Saturday, a program honoring the achievements of African Americans. Now in its 18th year, the gala is just another highlight of a multifaceted celebration of Black Awareness Month held at the museum.
The evening began with cocktails for more than 1,000 patrons, who enjoyed music provided by Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, George Cooper and the Gentlemen of Leisure Band and a private viewing of the museum’s exhibit, “Balancing the Scales: The African-American Fight for Justice,” which examines the 14th Amendment and the African-American struggle for justice.
Dinner, dancing and a ceremony focused on black creativity followed, featuring David Mosena, chief officer of the MSI; Paula Banks, vice president of global social investment at BP; Cheryl Blackwell Bryson, chairwoman of the Black Creativity 2001 Advisory Committee; and Gladys M. Smith, a Chicago teacher and chairwoman of the gala.
State Sen. Emil Jones and his wife, Patricia, State Sen. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, Diann Burns, evening news anchor with Channel 7, and Chris Zorich, former Chicago Bears player, also attended.
BP (formerly known as BP Amoco) sponsored the event. Tickets were $200. The proceeds of more than $300,000 will benefit the Museum of Science and Industry.
– Some people refuse to give up. The Friends of Meigs Field held its second annual Touch the Sky benefit Friday night in an effort to preserve the downtown lakefront airport, which Mayor Richard Daley has decided to close next year.
More than 350 people turned out. The evening included a live and silent auction, dinner and entertainment provided by classical guitarist Jeremiah Benham.
Attending were Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson, who spoke about his love of aviation, pilot Dick Rutan, who completed the first ever non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world, and Phil Boyer, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association who received the Spirit of Flight award for his ongoing support of Meigs Field.
Tickets were $150. Proceeds of approximately $75,000 benefit Friends of Meigs Field.
– The Children’s Medical Research Foundation sponsored its 6th annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance at the Drake Hotel on Friday.
About 250 attendees experienced an evening that included a champagne reception, dinner, dancing to the music of Michael Lerich and a silent auction.
Sue Wilson, who established the foundation six years ago after her daughter was diagnosed with the fatal neurological disorder Sanfilippo syndrome, spoke about the race to find a cure for the rare genetic disease.
Tickets were $150. Proceeds of more than $65,000 will benefit the Children’s Medical Research Foundation.
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