Pictured Beyondmedia Education Executive Director Salome Chasnoff (left) with Crossroads Fund Executive Director Jeanne Kracher. Senators Carol Ronen and Emil Jones. Photos by Marie-Jo Proulx
In a manner befitting its motto, the Crossroads Fund held its 2005 Annual Benefit in a new venue. The Seeds of Change event was held at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Student Building April 22. It raised approximately $70,000 and attracted 500 people, many of whom complimented the futuristic style of the modern facility.
As a grant-making organization concerned with issues of social and economic justice, Crossroads supports a wide variety of local groups who are working to improve the lives of underserved individuals and minorities. In the last cycle, it distributed $80,000 to 17 organizations such as Affinity, Chicago ADAPT, GLSEN Chicago, the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center, and the Latino Union of Chicago.
With its Ron Sable Awards for Activism, Crossroads honors activists and leaders of the community whose efforts have contributed to reducing disparities and inequalities. Executive Director Jeanne Kracher introduced this year's recipients: Senate President Emil Jones Jr., State Sen. Carol Ronen, and Rep. Larry McKeon. She praised and thanked them for their tireless work over the years on the passage of Public Act 093-1078, the measure adding sexual orientation to the Illinois Human Rights Act. In accepting her award, Ronen pointed out that discrimination based on sexual orientation remains legal in most U.S. jurisdictions, and that Illinois is one of only five states where gender identity is covered by the law.
Jones spoke with humor about some of the persuasion tactics he had to employ in order to convince the required number of senators for a majority. He jokingly referred to himself as \\\"the Pope of the Senate,\\\" and explained how he felt it was his duty to see the legislation through. McKeon was unable to attend the reception.
The gala's other award went to Beyondmedia Education for their inclusive vision and alternative programming. By providing women and youth with access to media tools, instruction, and mentoring, Beyondmedia has fostered the creation of several insightful documentary-style films. Through the telling of marginalized people's stories, they have uniquely contributed to community building and transformation. In a short speech that elicited an enthusiastic response, Executive Director Salome Chasnoff deplored the homogenous message of mainstream media under the current Bush administration. She also invited a group of Beyondmedia pupils to join her in front of the audience, and a sample of their productions was shown before the evening drew to a close.
