Fifth Third Bank Honors Three Local Community Leaders

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Merri Dee (right) and Nicole Johnson-Scales (left) of Fifth Third Bank. (Photo Courtesy of Fifth Third Bank)
Merri Dee (right) and Nicole Johnson-Scales (left) of Fifth Third Bank. (Photo Courtesy of Fifth Third Bank)

At a special reception held Feb. 29 at the DuSable Museum of African-American History, employees from Fifth Third Bank gathered with clients, partners, and friends to celebrate Black History Month by honoring the contributions and efforts of three well-known Chicagoans for their life's work to help positively impact the community.

Honorees included Chicago Bear Israel Idonije, Melody Spann-Cooper, president of WVON-AM, and legendary broadcaster, Merri Dee.

In addressing the standing-room only crowd, Spann-Cooper, said that she was happy to recognized and receive a $5300 scholarship in the spirit of paying it forward for todays youth.

The radio mogul brought four children to the event hoping it would serve as a source of inspiration.

I want you to see me up here tonight, so you have an idea what you are to work for, to strive for, Spann-Cooper said. I want you to be on a stage one day. Whether because you are a banker or you are a teacher or you are a celebrity. You can make this happen by remembering tonight and staying focused on all that you have to do in order to achieve this.

Broadcast legend Merri Dee gave thanks to her daughter Toya Campbell who is an educator at Evanston Township High School. I am so proud to have my best friend, my guidance counselor, my mother, my sister, my daughter with me tonight, Dee said. Shes helping to raise and educate over 4,000 children today and Im taking credit for enabling and empowering her to do so.

The evening included access to all the exhibits in the museum and a live performance from the Chicago Sinfionetta.

Fifth Third Bank executives told the crowd that the celebration was not an annual event the bank does in February. We support the community throughout the year, said Nicole Johnson-Scales, SVP, Community Development, Fifth Third Bank. Were sponsoring many events at the DuSable, were hosting financial classes in our banks, and we partner on a regular basis with the Chicago Urban League.

Source: Fifth Third Bank

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