Profiles in Excellence to include music, Payton photos and recognition of African-American athletes
Those who’d like to see part of the Walter Payton photography exhibit featured at the Lake County Museum about a decade ago, can view it Feb. 5 at the Profiles in Excellence event held in North Chicago.
The event, to be held at Greenbelt Cultural Center, will include the Payton photography exhibit, speeches by local athletes and performance by local church choirs. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Champions,” is a tribute to African-American athletes, and will focus on African-American athletes, leaders and performers.
Nicole Stocker, museum educator for the Lake County Forest Preserves. Stocker, who is helping organize the event, said she hopes people will come first to hear inspiring messages and music before going home to watch the Super Bowl.
“Highlighting local residents and recognizing their contributions to the community is an important thing to do,” Stocker said.
“Walter Payton is such an influential figure, and we thought that would be a great tie-in to our theme, and a new element to add to the event now in its 34th year,” Stocker said, adding Payton’s number was 34.
Audrey Nixon, a Lake County board member from Waukegan, has been involved with the program since its inception.
“The event exposes the community to what we as African-Americans do. It lets everyone know we are a very important part of the community, and each year it seems like the number of attendees is getting larger,” Nixon said.
Stocker said about 300 adults and children attended the event last year, and she expects as much or more this year.
At the event, Greg Gordon, a College of Lake County history teacher will present a history of African-American athletes in Lake County as well as in the Olympics.
African-Americans Kimberly Atwater and her brother, Terry Atwater, who grew up in North Chicago, will talk and answer questions as well.
“They’ll talk about their experience during high school with athletics and academics,” Stocker said. Kimberly graduated from Waukegan East High School and Terry graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School. Both will answer questions from student athletes and others who attend the event.
Kimberly was named most valuable student athlete in high school in 1985 and now teaches at Kenosha elementary school. She plans to earn her doctorate degree. Terry qualified for state track meets in high school, earned an academic and athletic scholarship to college, and now owns a successful business.
In addition, two local youth athletic teams, The North Chicago Flames Youth Football Program and the Waukegan Invaders Track and Field Team, will be honored. The Flames, created in 1974, is a program for males and females ages 5-14.
Attendees of the event can also hear local African-American church choirs sing. Nixon said the music “is uplifting,” as is the entire event.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Profiles in Excellence
When: 3 to 5 p.m., Feb. 5
Where: Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-968-3477; www.lcfpd.org
