To say that Keke Palmer is on a roll would be an understatement. Born in Harvey and raised in Robbins Illinois she is a triple threat as an award-winning actress, singer, TV Host and new mother. Keke rose to fame playing the lead role in Akeelah and the Bee. She’s won numerous awards including two Primetime Emmy Awards, one Daytime Emmy for TV hosting, five NAACP Image Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award and is the first Black woman to win an Emmy Award for hosting a game show. She is also an accomplished singer. While still in her 20s Time magazine included her on their list of most influential people in the world for 2019.
Chicago Black History Maker Keke Palmer.
Akemi Harrison – News Director, NBC5 NBC
As news director for NBC 5 Chicago, Akemi Harrison sits in the rarefied seat of directing the news division for one of the nation’s largest local news operations. In 2023 after serving several years as Assistant News Director she was promoted to head the department. As a graduate of Tougaloo College in Mississippi and a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, she is well aware of her leadership position. She says she believes in the power of active listening, understanding the unique needs of her team members, and fostering a work environment that values well-being and mental health.
Chicago Black History Maker Akemi Harrison
Vic Mensa – Rap Artist, Activist
When it comes to his artistic output and community commitment Rapper, Activist Vic Mensa truly lives up to his name. Born in Chicago and raised in Hyde Park, Mensa meet one of his music collaborators Chance the Rapper while they attended Whitney Young High School. Ever seeking to broaden his scope he’s also collaborated with Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, and Wyclef Jean. Known for his activism, Mensa speaks out against gun violence in the community and the need for greater mental health resources in the community. He is also the founder of the hip-hop collective Savemoney and the Savemoney Savelife foundation.
Chicago Black History Maker Vic Mensa
Donald Dew – CEO Habilitative Systems Incorporated
Meeting the needs of people with mental health issues, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders was ingrained in Donald Dew from Childhood from his mother and westside community. The Chicago native is the President and CEO, of Habilitative Systems Incorporated one of the city’s leading social service delivery organizations, a position he has held since 1990. Donald Dew is a thought leader in the area of social determinates of health and meeting the diverse needs of marginalized communities. Under his leadership HSI has expanded the organization’s footprint to include housing and reintegrating the formally incarcerated into society.
Chicago Black History Maker Donald Dew
Stephanie Neeley – JP Morgan Chase Asset Management
Understanding the power of money in leveling the playing field is second nature to Stephanie Neeley. The Chicago native learned about the power of owning your own business from her father who operated several gas stations on the southside. Neely attended Smith College and graduated with a bachelor's in economics. She later earned a M.B.A. from University of Chicago. In 2006 she was appointed Chicago City Treasurer and was reelected to a second term in February 2011. She currently is Managing Director for Institutional clients for the United States and Canada for JP Morgan Asset management.
Chicago Black History Maker Stephanie Neeley
Hebru Brantley – Artist
You may not know his name, but chances are you’ve seen his artwork. The acclaimed artist and Chicago native Hebru Brantley. Brantley is known for his murals, paintings and sculptures which explore a genre he calls Afro Futurism, that is a mixture of Afro-Cobra, Graffiti, Anime and comic book art. His creation Flyboy the googled helmet wearing flying Black boy is featured on many murals throughout Chicagoland. His art has been exhibited worldwide and featured in the collections of Collectors of his work include LeBron James, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Lenny Kravitz, and George Lucas.
Chicago Black History Maker Hebru Brantley
Erick Williams – Owner and Chef at Virtue Restaurant
When it comes to the culinary arts he’s a top chef. We’re speaking about chef and restaurateur Erick Williams. In 2018 Williams opened Virtue in Hyde Park, and immediately gained national recognition for his unique take on Southern cuisine. In 2019 The New York Times named him one of America’s black chefs changing food dialogue in America. And in 2022 he won the coveted James Beard award. In addition to Virtue, Williams is the owner of Mustard Seed Kitchen, Daisy’s Po-Boy & Tavern, and Top This Mac & Cheese. He’s scheduled to open a Mexican culture restaurant later this year.
Chicago Black History Maker Erick Williams
Dorothy Leavell – Publisher Crusader Newspapers
She is known as a tireless crusader and advocate for the Black community. Dorothy Leavell started working at the Chicago Crusader newspaper in the 1960’s. She married the publisher of the publication Balm Leavell and shortly thereafter the young Dorothy became publisher of the Chicago and Gary Crusader newspaper and established them as the vital platform they enjoy today. Never resting on her accomplishment Leavell has also served as the President of the national newspaper publishers association a trade association of the more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States.
Chicago Black History Maker Dorothy Leavell