Mike shares his hopes for Julyteenth
Michael King, a regular at Northside AARP Community Group Monthly Meetings shares the continuing growth of Julyteenth, a program he started three years ago all generated by his vision and hopes of educating people of all ages of the struggles and accomplishments of the Black Community in the United States.
Mike has gathered together collaborators from The Chicago Historical Museum, The Underground Railroad Museum of Cincinnati Ohio, The Harold Washington Library and The Skokie Public Library. Mike hopes to show the movie “Summer of Soul”, the 2021 documentary directed by Ahmir Questlove of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and to sponsor book reading meetings with panels of experts addressing the question: “Where do we go from here”.
Finally, Mike asks all to stay tuned and spread the story of “Love Beyond Freedom” help finance the programs by buying a Teeshirt soon to be ready and most importantly attend any and all programs.
Author
Dan O’Donnell retired from Chicago Public Schools where he taught at the now closed Montefiore Special School from 1970 – 1980 and then again from 1997 -2007. From 1980 to 1997 he sold life insurance as an Agent for the Mass Mutual and broker for many other companies. Presently Dan spends his days writing and developing online learning opportunities. During his sixteen-year hiatus from teaching he remained in contact with Montefiore serving on the PTA and Local School Council as the community representative.
To the total chagrin of his sister Marianne, a stay-at-home mother of four, Dan’s proudest recognition came when Montefiore Principal Bernie Carlin nominated him as the Parent of the Year. Dan, as Marianne would tell you, never spent one night up with a colicky child…
Dan’s work experience taught him to respect and learn from people whose life’s paths differed from his own. Dan believes, that despite often feeling like an outsider, he belongs right where he finds himself, and that all that is gift.
Northside AARP Community Group 