Prologue Inc. hosted its first-ever Freedom Fest at the Miracle Marina & Village on the Little Calumet River July 18.
The free festival was attended by about 150 people and featured officials' remarks, an awards ceremony, an eco-art installation unveiling, local artisan booths and a Journey to Freedom boat tour of Underground Railroad sites, among other events.
Founded in 1973, Prologue Inc. is, according to its website, "a comprehensive non-profit organization that provides Chicago residents with a variety of social support, housing, public health, employment and training, mentoring, neighborhood safety and educational programs.
The site adds, "Prologue administers educational and job-training programs for young people, ages 17-21, who want to earn a diploma, but who find traditional learning environments challenging. Enrollment is voluntary and the graduation rate at Prologue's high schools in Chicago is 75 percent."
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Prologue CEO Dr. Nancy Jackson; Prologue COO Sharron Matthews; Blacks in Green President/founder Naomi Davis; Prologue Director of Community-Based Programs Sherri Rembert; Dr. Larry McClellan, who served as tour guide of Little Calumet River's Underground Railroad sites; Pastor Corey Brooks; and state Sen. Napoleon Harris and a representative from Ald. Anthony Beale's office—with both politicians representing Miracle Marina & Village and its environs.
"Our community needs jobs, jobs and more jobs," said Jackson. "We must provide the undereducated, underserved and the unemployed with the tools to provide for their families and to help them become productive citizens.
"The maritime industry is an untapped arena. The industry is forecasting many jobs with good wages over the next few decades. Many of the jobs do not require a college degree. Ironically, the industry that led us over treacherous waters from freedom to slavery is now the industry that can move us from poverty to prosperity. Freedom Fest marks the birth of this grand vision for our community."
Women of the River Awardees included Joyce Chapman ( Far South Side Community Action Council chairwoman ), Cheryl Johnson ( People For Community Recovery executive director ), Loisteen Walker ( Chicago Labor Relations/DFSS director of administration—retired ), Bernadette Williams ( Altgeld/Murray Local Advisory Council president and Community Action Council treasurer ), Deloris Lucas ( Golden Gate Homeowners Assn. president ), U. S. Rep. Robin Kelly ( 2nd district ), Debra Shore ( Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago commissioner ), Phyllis Palmer ( Developing Communities Project board member ) and Deborah Sims ( Cook County commissioner, 5th District ).
Marguerite Jacobs received the Mother of the Year Award.
Gwen Pruitt, Prologue's art studios manager/product design specialist and Jackson's partner, led the Roots of Success Eco-Art Installation unveiling ceremony. The installation, of which Pruitt served as art director, was created by a group of 20 Prologue teachers and 300 Prologue students. The eco art design build capped off a nationally accredited Roots of Success Environmental Literacy Curriculum.
The event's goals included guaranteeing that job opportunities include unemployed Chicagoans from the city's Far South Side. To do so, Prologue purchased the marina where the event took place and will be cultivating a village around that marina on the Little Calumet River as well as establishing programs on the site to expose students and young adults to various jobs in the maritime industry.
Prologue is also in the process of establishing the William Tillman Maritime Academy to serve at-risk youth ages 17-21. It will be located at 13421 South Vernon Ave. in Chicago's Riverdale neighborhood. The school will include CPS required courses as well as comprehensive maritime industry curriculum that introduces students to maritime-themed courses and exposes them to maritime science and technology and maritime career pathways.
For more information on the Maritime Industry, visit www.americanmaritimepartnership.com/2014/09/10/domestic-american-maritime-industry-booming.
