CSU Celebrates History of Illinois Black Legislators with Exhibit Rededication Event

CSU Welcomes Community Leaders, Elected Officials, Past & Present Legislators for an evening of celebration

CSU Celebrates History of Illinois Black Legislators with Exhibit Rededication Event

CSU Welcomes Community Leaders, Elected Officials,
Past & Present Legislators for an evening of celebration

Chicago State University hosted a rededication of its Illinois Black Legislators exhibit with an on-campus event in the Gwendolyn
Brooks Library. Attendees included local leaders and special guests
who took part in an opening event, panel discussion and ribbon cutting
ceremony.

The event opened with messages on the importance of recognizing
and preserving Illinois history regarding the participation of Black legislators in State of Illinois government from CSU President
Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott, Esq., along with Illinois State Representative
Nicholas Smith, and Perri Irmer, President of the DuSable Museum
of African American History.

“CSU is a great Illinois educational institution nested in my community, intrinsically connected to my community and I’m glad that President Z Scott chooses to highlight leaders proudly connected to CSU. We must inspire the next generation and stoke the flame of courage and curiosity of our CSU scholars so they can go out and change our community and the
world,” said Marcus C. Evans, Jr., Assistant Majority Leader, State
Representative 33rd District of Illinois.

Dr. Lionel Kimble, Associate Professor of History at CSU, then
moderated a panel discussion with local leaders Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, the former Illinois Senate President Honorable
Emil Jones, the Honorable Donne Trotter, Cook County Clerk Karen
Yarbrough, and President & CEO of the Chicago Urban League Karen
Freeman Wilson. An informative discussion covered the topical
issues of civic engagement in our community and beyond, as well as
access to voting rights.

“Representation matters – and through the Illinois Black Legislators
Exhibit, Chicago State University is signaling to young Black
men and women that their voices are vital to shaping this state into
an inclusive and equitable place for all to thrive. Through this effort and
further discussions about the importance of civic engagement, we are
working toward providing positive opportunities to help young people
make a difference in their communities,” said State Senator Elgie R.
Sims, Jr., 17th District of Illinois.

The evening concluded with the recognition of Dr. Erma Williams,
the former CSU leader who created and established the original
Illinois Black Legislators exhibit at the university, and a ribbon cutting
ceremony and tour of the updated exhibit.

“I am honored to be a part of the newly renovated Black Legislators
exhibit at Chicago State University. As an alum and legislator, I
am proud to be among this exhibit that highlights past and current
legislators and their contributions to the state. I want to thank CSU for
this recognition, and I look forward to celebrating this historic exhibit,”
said State Representative Nicholas Smith, 34th District of Illinois.

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