Matteson Mayor Receives 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

The Village of Matteson President Sheila Chalmers Currin was recently awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award because of her accomplished works in the Village as well as for her commitment to building a stronger nation. PHOTO PROVIDED BY STH MEDIA.
The Village of Matteson President Sheila Chalmers Currin was recently awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award because of her accomplished works in the Village as well as for her commitment to building a stronger nation. PHOTO PROVIDED BY STH MEDIA.

Matteson Mayor Receives 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award 

By Tia Carol Jones

The Village of Matteson President Sheila Chalmers-Currin was one of three people who received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. The award presentation recently took place at the Swissotel in downtown Chicago.

Chalmers-Currin has served as President of the Village of Matteson for seven years. Prior to becoming Village President, she served as a Village Trustee for eight years.

The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is given to people who have committed their lives to building a stronger nation, with years of service to their communities.

“It’s an honor, anytime you receive an award, but to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is a special honor,” she said.

Chalmers-Currin added that while she received a Lifetime Achievement Award, she believes she has so much left in her life to give to her community. She said it was truly an honor to have family, along with her mother, at the event to see her receive the award.

Chalmers-Currin said that with an honor like a lifetime achievement award, it is heartwarming. She said that every day she gets up with the idea that she can make a difference in the lives of others.

“To receive this is really icing on the cake and it says to me that others see you and see what you’re doing and that your works has not gone unnoticed. Truly, I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” she said.

Chalmers-Currin said while she was elated to receive the award, she was also surprised when she learned she would be one of the honorees. Sean Howard, Founder of STH Media, nominated Chalmers-Currin for the honor. He is a past honoree and was asked by Dr. Nakita Cloud to identify a Black woman to receive the honor.

“We looked at her accomplishments in Matteson, as well as her life’s commitment to service, but what she’s done in Matteson is just surreal. She was vetted and approved, and Dr. Nakita Cloud gave the thumbs up, and we were honored to know that she was receptive to receiving it,” Howard said.

During her time as Village President, Chalmers-Currin has worked to increase the bond rating of the Village to one that means it is financially sound. There is an Amazon facility, Pete’s Market, Harbor Freight, and there are plans for a Chick-Fil-A restaurant. Improvements have been made to the streets in the village, as well as to the community. Chalmers-Currin credits her team for their hard work and the Village Board who understands her entire vision for the community. She said she is ecstatic about the improvements and the direction that the community is going.

“Look out, there are still some more lifetime achievements in me, I plan on making sure that we do all we can to make sure the individuals here in the Village of Matteson know that this is a place where they want to live and grow and raise their families. We’re going to continue doing the work that we’re doing,” she said.

Comedian Damon Williams and Music Legend George Daniels were also honored during the event where they received the 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.


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