V103 & Inspiration 1390 Salute Chicago's Black History Maker

Allen Singleton...On February 12, 2021 Mr. Singleton celebrated his 100th birthday. He's a loving husband and father. He retired from being a Pullman Porter and WW 2 Veteran.

Click here to read more on Allen Singleton.

Karen Jordan is co-anchor at ABC 7 Weekend News. She was born in Nashville, TN,.

She is the daughter of Robert Jordan, a longtime anchor and also reporter at WGN-TV located in Chicago. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated with a B.A. degree in English in 1994.

She then went on to earn her master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University’s, Medill School of Journalism. She graduated in 1995.

Karen Freeman Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. Trailblazer is a word often used to describe Karen Freeman Wilson. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, She received her bachelor’s and law degrees from Harvard University. In 2000, she was appointed Indiana Attorney General and from 2011 to 2019 she served as mayor of her beloved Gary Indiana.

Melody Hobson is considered one of the world’s chief business minds. She rose to fame with Ariel Investments one of the nation’s largest African American owned investment companies. Born in Chicago, She graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep as well as Princeton University where a new residential hall will bear her name. She’s on the Forbes’s list of 100 most powerful women and is married to Star Wars Creator George Lucas. 

Kimberly M. Foxx is the first African American woman to lead the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office—the second largest prosecutor’s office in the country. Kim took office December 1, 2016.

Prior to being elected State’s Attorney, Kim served as Chief of Staff for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. A veteran prosecutor, Kim also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for 12 years and has served as guardian ad litem in the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office. An accomplished leader, prosecutor and advocate, Kim is active with a number of community organizations.

Born and raised on Chicago’s Near North Side, Kim is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, where she earned a B.A. in Political Science and a J.D. from the SIU School of Law.

Timuel Black, Jr. a centenarian historian who’s lived much of the stories he’s covered. Born on December 7th 1918 in Birmingham, Alabama. His grandparents were born as slaves and freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. Raised in Chicago Black started out as a social worker before becoming a historian. He was president of the Chicago Chapter of Negro American Labor Council and participated in the 1963 March on Washington. A prolific speaker and writer Black has authored several books including Sacred Grounds: The Chicago Streets of Timuel Black.

John’s passion for investing began at age 12 when his father began buying him stocks as Christmas and birthday gifts. His interest in equities grew at Princeton University, where he majored in economics, and over the two-plus years he worked as a stockbroker for William Blair & Company, LLC. In 1983, John founded Ariel to focus on patient, value investing within small- and medium-sized companies. While our research capabilities have expanded across the globe, patience is still the disciplined approach that drives the firm today. His professional accomplishments extend to the boardroom where he is a member of the board of directors of McDonald’s, NIKE and The New York Times Company. John also serves as vice chair of the board of trustees of the University of Chicago. Additionally, he is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a director of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. In 2008, John was awarded Princeton University’s highest honor, the Woodrow Wilson Award, presented each year to the alumnus or alumna whose career embodies a commitment to national service. Following the election of President Barack Obama, John served as co-chair for the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009, and more recently, he joined the Barack Obama Foundation’s Board of Directors. John received an AB in economics from Princeton University, where he was also captain of the varsity basketball team.

Raoul became the state’s 42nd Attorney General in 2019. Born in Chicago to Haitian immigrant parents Dr. Janin Raoul and Marie Therese Raoul. he earned his B.A. degree in political science from DePaul University and received his J.D. degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

On November 6, 2004 Raoul was appointed to fill the state Senate vacancy caused by the resignation of his predecessor, Barack Obama, who had just been elected to the United States Senate.

United States Representative Bobby L. Rush is a transcendent and influential American leader who keeps his legislative and policy interests focused on the needs of his constituents in the 1st Congressional District of Illinois, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and the communities that feel left behind.He believes deeply in the redemptive power of the human spirit and in human ingenuity and tenacity.In office since 1993, Rush stands on the shoulders of a long line of patriots and public servants who have gone before him and who are ardent believers in our Constitution.His life is an example of our nation’s fundamental promise and his work reflects a deep determination to bend the arc of government resources and innovation towards the needs of every American — whether they live on our nation’s main streets or its side streets.Rush fights every day for his constituents; to improve their lives, grow the economy, bring jobs to the district, and build a stronger middle class.

Born in Parkdale Arkansas, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. Congressman Davis received his Master’s degree from Chicago State University. Davis served as 29th Ward Alderman from 1979 to 1990. From 1990 to 1997 he was on the board of Cook County Commissioners. In 1997 he successfully ran for congress for the 7th district succeeding former representative Cardiss Collins. He is known as the voice of the Illinois delegation.


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