The Leaders Network of Chicago hosted a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Breakfast “Standing Up for Justice” Tuesday at the New Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in East Garfield Park.
The event recognized the exemplary service of everyday people from West Side churches and individuals who have rendered valuable service to the community.
Seven received a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Pursuing the Dream Community Service Award. This award recognized individuals who have made Chicago’s West Side communities a better place to live through their commitment to creating a passionate and just society through social justice, economic justice, defending civil rights and the dignity of all people.
The Pursuing the Dream Christian Service Award recognized practicing members from various churches who demonstrated Christ-centered behavior through service to their church by serving in an exemplary manner. These indivudials volunteered at schools, shelters and missions, helped youth and the elderly, fed the poor, and ran clothing drives for the needy.
Honoree Albertten Brown and her son The Rev. Ira Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church of Austin
The Rev. Cy Fields and his mother Mrs. Doris Fields
The Rev Tommy Woolridge and his daughter Tomika Woolridge
The Rev. Marshall Hatch and Commander Washington
The Rev. Anderson and Krage Hervey
The 2012 Pursuing the Dream Christian Service awardees:
Mildred Brackett of Rhema Word (The Rev. Brackett), Mary Bender of New Mt. Pilgrim MB Church (The Rev. Hatch), Alberteen Brown of Greater St. John Bible Church (The Rev. Acree), Debra Burton of Miracle Center Baptist Church (The Rev. Harmon), Dea. John Collins Jr. of Great True Vine Baptist Church (The Rev. Collins), Edna Conley of Brotherly Love Baptist Church (The Rev. Pope), Doris Fields of New Landmark MB Church (The Rev. Fields), Mae Fields of Neighborhood United Methodist (The Rev. Conway), Krage Hervey, Marion Jackson of New Hope Baptist Church (The Rev.Stevenson), Paul McMillion of St. Rest Baptist Church (The Rev. Keys), Genever Milam of Hopewell Baptist Church (The Rev. Phillips), Elder Connie Milton of Life Changing Ministries (The Rev. Robinson), Sharon Minor of Rising Sun Baptist Church (The Rev. Miller), Elder A. C. Richards of Life Center Ministries (The Rev. Richards), Elaine Sappington of First Baptist Congregational Church (The Rev. Daniels), Minister Yvonne Townsend of Life Line Church (The Rev. Royal), Tomika Woolridge of Helping Hand Baptist Church (The Rev. Wooldridge), The Rev. Deantjuan Wright of Renewance Baptist Church (The Rev. Geanes)
The 2012 Pursuing the Dream Community Service awardees:
The Rev. Randal Harris, President of the New Westside Federation
Ms. Arloa Sutter, Executive Director of Breakthrough Urban Ministries
The Rev. Chris Devron, President of Christ the King Jesuit College Prep High School
Commander Berscott Ruiz and officers of the 10th Police District
Commander Eric T. Washington and officers of the 11th Police District
Commander Walter Green and officers of the 15th Police District
Commander Carlos Velez and officers of the 25th Police District
The Leaders Network of Chicago is a collaboration of 30 West Side pastors and churches whose mission is to expand the Kingdom of God and meet human needs through emergency disaster relief and social justice advocacy locally and globally.
*Photographs by Stephon Lawson