This week’s Black People Magic celebrates the 99th birthday of a Chicago treasure for children, Ella Jenkins.
Ms. Ella spent her life performing as a musician, singing and telling stories to children the world over and showing teachers how to use her style to teach, too. She became known as the First Lady of Children’s Music and was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for her work, that is also immortalized in the Library of Congress.
She began her work with Chicago’s children at the YWCA at 62nd and Cottage Grove in the 1950s, later working from her home base in Lincoln Park. Friends and fans are celebrating her birthday tomorrow with a festival at the park near her old home that’s named in her honor. There’s also documentary on her life in production.
Remember to always celebrate your magic! xo