Township News

With a focus on celebrating the current history of Black excellence Thornton Township held its annual Black History Month event. Taking place at its Youth and Family Service Department in Riverdale, the program featured Melody Winston, vice president of Golden Eagle Aviation. a fixed base operation (FBO) that specializes in jet charters, jet maintenance and fuel services. In 2012, her and a colleague, co-founded Legacy Flight Academy, an annual aviation summer camp for teens interested in aviation, as a way to give back. The Legacy Flight Academy is located in Tuskegee, Alabama.

Aside from her personal involvement and professional responsibilities in the aviation industry, Melody is a seasoned commercial real estate investor. Her latest accomplishment with the Forest Park Plaza is a deal that she played a vital role in brokering to secure a new alternative independent grocery concept, named Living Fresh Market. She began her career serving as a realtor for one of Chicago’s most prestigious realty companies. “She is intelligent, innovative, entrepreneurial, game-changing influencer. She has the motivation and energy to inspire generations- young and old,” said Dr. J.L. Weems, director of the youth and family services department.

In previous years, Thornton Township has featured internationally-known civil right activists and author Dick Gregory and last year rented out two showing in the Lansing theater of Black Panther, the highest grossest North American film in 2018. This year’s also entertainment includes the Najwaa Dance Group, an African dance Entertainment and students from District #205 performing songs and spoken words.

The event was catered by local Lansing restaurant Ooo Wee Chicken & Ribs, 18155 Roy St. There was also a five-minute video presentation on current local and national figures who are making an impact today. “This year we focused on the incredible people who are changing our world right now,” said Ernst Lamothe Jr., communication manager for Thornton Township. “There are so many wonderful people who are currently doing great things for our community now we thought it was important to honor them.”

Thornton Township and community partners Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Theta Rho Omega Chapter) and School District 205 assembled at South Suburban Colleges’ Kindig Performing Arts Center to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. His memory was celebrated by the smooth jazz sounds of the Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Jazz Band and School District 205 student whom participated in the festivities by sharing their creative appreciation for such an import figure in our nation’s history.

Poets and praise dancers from Thornwood High School performed selections on stage like “Still I Rise” and “The Hate You Give”. The celebration demonstrated the excellence of Thornton Townships youth, arts community, and musicians. We were proud to have our student organizations be a part of it. One audience member, Colby Chapman, a woman looking to make history by becoming the first black, female Alderman of the 2nd ward in the city of Harvey, IL, said “My experience was phenomenal, the performances were amazing, especially the youth, who creatively expressed themselves. It was beautiful to look across the crown to behold a sea of diversity and all those who embody the vision and mission of Dr. King,” Chapman says that she heard about the event via social media and the Thornton Township newsletter.

The keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Ozzie Smith Jr., the Senior Pastor at Covenant Community Church of Christ serenaded the audience with a melodic selection on the clarinet before delivering a motivational and impactful message to the youth and other attendees at the celebration of life. The majority of the youth in attendance belonged to the Chicagoland chapter of, Top Teens of America, an organization that helps mold our future leaders by offering career and character development training. These youth look to make a difference in the communities in which the live by volunteering.

A parent of one of the future leaders and a resident of Thornton Township, Kiaundra Pope says “I heard so many powerful words of encouragement and it motivated me to further my dreams. It reminded me that it is never too late to accomplish your goals no matter the obstacles or circumstances.” This event showed us that Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is not just a day off, but a day to reflect. Dr. King is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and fighting to for racial equality in the United States. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 before he was assassinated in 1968. This event showed us that Dr. Kings’ dream is still alive and being survived by the children in our community that celebrate his life and vision through art, speech and music.

For the third straight year, Thornton Township took home hardware at the annual Township Officials of Illinois Conference in Springfield. Thornton Township, the largest township in Illinois, received four awards ranging from its communication department to its general assistance programs. The honors included best Township Social Media, best Township Communication Messenger of the Year awarded to Communication Manager Ernst Lamothe Jr, best General Assistance Caseworker of the Year awarded to Lakeela Jennings and most innovative General Assistance program.

“We are very proud of the hard work our staff does to provide the highest quality of service to our community,” said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Thornton Township supervisor. “Our motto is people working with people and we truly believe that township government is at the ground floor of providing the necessary programs that communities need. We are honored and humbled by this award and that the Township of Illinois recognizes the hard work we have put in this year to help our local residents.”

The township provides general assistance program offering financial relief for qualified residents. In addition, the township registers voters, helps with homeowners and senior citizen homestead exemption and helps with food, gas and energy bill relief.

“I work with a lot of incredible people that helped me get to where I am. I am just so thankful to work for a great township,” said Jennings.

In addition, the Thornton Township Communication department has received four awards in the past two years. Winning best township government social media back to back years, as well as 2017 best township government Website and best communication department this year.

“What we do at Thornton Township is very special. Our goal is always to serve as many people as possible and get the word out about all our great programs,” said Lamothe Jr. “It is a wonderful feeling that the township officials of Illinois recognized our continuous hard work.”

Thornton Township is made up of all or part of 17 south suburban communities. They are a three-time winner of Township of the Year in 2004, 2008 and 2016. The township also has a robust youth and adult program that features free family counseling and after school tutoring and programs in Dolton, Harvey and Riverdale.

“We understand the importance of working together for a common goal,” added Zuccarelli. “We are here to serve the people and make sure that we build each other up and we build our communities up. We are able to accomplish this because we have a strong board of trustees who care about the community and a strong management team in all areas working to make sure we provide the best services possible.”

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.
In a room filled with community members, students and legislators, Thornton Township was the site of two acclimated speakers who talked to the crowd about unconscious and conscious bias. Presented by the township Human Relations Commission, the event held at South Suburban College featured Dr. James Lawrence and Jane Elliot, who is most known for her groundbreaking “Blue eyes-Brown eyes” experiment. More than 320 people came to the event.

“We decided to bring Jane Elliot to Thornton Township because she is a dynamic woman who brings an interesting perspective but people need to hear,” said Dr. Jerry Weems, director of youth and family services at Thornton Township. “The community has responded well to us bringing global speakers like Jane and Dick Gregory.”
A former third grade teacher, Elliot has spent most of her life as an anti-racism activist and educator.

“If you want to be a racist, you go and be a racist. But if you bring it to me, you will learn very very shortly that your problem is ignorance,” said Elliot. “It is not skin color but your ignorance about skin color and I will not tolerate it.”

She is known for her “Blue eyes–Brown eyes” exercise she conducted with her class the day after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. She divided the class based on eye color and had the blue-eyed children as the superior group. Elliott provided brown fabric collars and asked the blue-eyed students to wrap them around the necks of their brown-eyed peers as a method to easily identify the minority group. She gave the blue-eyed children extra privileges, such as second helpings at lunch, access to the new jungle gym, and five extra minutes at recess. The blue-eyed children sat in the front of the classroom, and the brown-eyed children were sent to sit in the back rows. The blue-eyed children were encouraged to play only with other blue-eyed children and to ignore those with brown eyes. Elliott would not allow brown-eyed and blue-eyed children to drink from the same water fountain and often chastised the brown-eyed students when they did not follow the exercise’s rules or made mistakes. The following week, she reversed the exercise, making the brown-eyed children superior.

“It is important to have these open conversations about conscious and unconscious bias. We can’t shy away from these important discussions because that’s how we can grow as a nation and grow individually,” said Ernst Lamothe Jr., communication manager at Thornton Township/

Before Elliot spoke, Dr. James, a Chicago-based clinical psychologist, also talked about conscious and unconscious bias.

“When we do unconscious bias corporate training, we talk about this awareness piece and that is one step,” said James., “It is just one step where people are made aware that they are kind of bias and can be kind of racist. But then we expect them after one day that they are going to change their lives and do something new and that is not the case. This has to be more than simply a one day conversation.”

Moving to South Suburban College for the first time, the Taste of Thornton Township saw larger crowds that filled the expansive campus full of games, rides and live entertainment. Thornton Township Supervisor Frank M. Zuccarelli looked over the crowd and shouted; 

“We’re having a great time today at the Taste,” he added. “The Taste is one of our largest events and brings people throughout Thornton Township in one place to enjoy great live music, food and family entertainment.”

The almost 90 degree day did not temper excitement for the 17th annual event. This year’s Taste featured free activities for the kids ranging from face painting, carnival rides, and games to back to school haircuts, and book bags with school supplies. The event also had a petting zoo, a large assortment of food and craft vendors, live music from several bands and a classic car show. 

“This year’s Taste was better than last year. More people came out this year than last year,” said Tui M. Muse, Taste chairman and Human Relations Commissioner. The car show was excellent. It was amazing. The food was great and lots of variety. Entertainment was fantastic.”
Several live bands entertained the crowd including a cameo appearance by Trysh Granberry, “America’s Got Talent” contestant, a Dolton resident and Thornton Township General Assistance employee.

Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Tina Turner impersonators dazzled the crowd,” said Joyce Washington, Thornton Township trustee. Washington. “The Seniors enjoyed themselves at the bingo tables. This event is for the community to come together and enjoy food, entertainment, family and friends. We appreciate our great community. ”
People from all over Thornton Township and areas as far as Chicago and Indiana were there. Mayors, elected officials throughout the area were in attendance. 

“South Suburban College being our new venue this year was incredible. We were able to expand like never before,” said Ernst Lamothe Jr., Thornton Township Community Relations Manager.

The packed weekend also featured the second annual Taste of Thornton Township Basketball Tournament. The tournament involved teens and police playing on the same team for the pride of their town. This year, the Town of Markham defeated the Village of Dolton. Defending champion Lansing had to relinquish its title. Police Chief Dennis Murrin Jr. was in attendance with other officers and believed the program was an essential community initiative.

“It was a great atmosphere seeing the teenagers and police officers working together,” said Murrin. “This was something that we definitely want to be apart of each year.”