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Quad Aims To Raise $100,000 For Inner-City Development

 


Bernita Johnson-Gabriel, Executive Director of QUAD

“Quad Communities Development Corporation  Credited for Local Walmart Aims to Raise $100,000 to Continue Inner-city Development  with a  June 16 Ceremony to Honor Business, Political Trailblazers”

 
edited by Kai EL’ Zabar
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quad Communities Development Corporation, the group that helped launch the $46 million Shops and Lofts at 47 project and Bronzeville’s first Walmart, is seeking to raise at least $100,000 with its upcoming “A Celebration of Community Revitalization” event to support its business and education programs.
The Southside organization’s inaugural fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th Street in Chicago. Officials of QCDC are seeking to enhance finances for their 2016-2017 programs which are intended to attract new business, improve the education system and offer family activities in the North Kenwood, Oakland, Douglas and Grand Boulevard communities.
The event is betting on Chicagoan’s’ love for such events where the committed game changers, socialites, philanthropists, politicians, community leaders, and social-politcal architects come together to recognize and acknowledge those who in various ways contribute and make a difference in the city. In doing so they, dress-up, wine and dine, engage in stimulating conversation, meet new people,and have a great time while contributing to the revitalization of Bronzeville.

Chicago City Treasurer  Kurt Summe

Andre and Frances Guichard,  Gallery Guichard

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The event will feature an awards ceremony honoring local trailblazers, including power couple and gallery owners Andre and Frances Guichard for business; The Community Builders, for its Arts & Recreation Center at Ellis Park; Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers for his continued support; CPA Isaac B. Greene for his on-going professional contributions; and the Oakland Boulevard Neighbors Association for its beautification efforts.
The Beacon Award will be presented to Bill and Dr. Cheryl Watson-Lowry, founders of The It’s Time Organization, which focuses on reducing crime in Chicago. The event will also include a special VIP reception to be held at 5 p.m. Community stakeholders, public officials and other dignitaries who are on-going supporters of QCDC will be in attendance. Kim Foxx, Democratic nominee for state’s attorney, will serve as special guest. Entertainment will be provided by Bronzeville’s own jazz great Maggie Brown.
Bill and Cheryl Lowry to receive the Beacon of Light Award

Headquartered at 4210 South Berkeley Avenue, QCDC earned the 2015 Chicago Neighborhood Development Award for Outstanding For-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project.
Executive Director Bernita Johnson-Gabriel, one of the founders of the 13-year-old organization, says the fundraiser will allow her staff to continue its work and bring awareness to past achievements as well as future goals.
“As a relatively young organization we have succeeded beyond even our own expectations in helping to revive and strengthen the communities we serve in terms of new business and residential development, but much more is needed,” says Johnson-Gabriel.
“In the past, some of our most beautiful and hardest-working communities have been overlooked by developers who understood the importance of being a part of the Chicago landscape but who were not aware of the economic strength of some of our inner-city neighborhoods. The fundraiser will position us to move forward in our mission to foster opportunities that will benefit residents as well as investors.”
Among its many community projects, QCDC is also known for Elev8, a program that seeks to transform the educational achievement of disadvantaged middle school students in five Chicago schools – Ames, Marquette, Orozco, Perspectives and Reavis – through mentorship and other outreach vehicles.
Bronzeville Nights is an event series that has enhanced the community’s creative climate by celebrating the marriage of arts, music, good food and great shopping. Through local partnerships the series has expanded to include the Bronzeville Summer Nights experience, which engages 50 entities in the art, business and cultural communities to showcase local performing artists and exhibitors.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $125, or $150 for the event and VIP reception combined. Tickets may be purchased by calling 708.408.9061, or by visiting www.QCDCFUNDRAISER.EVENTBRITE.com. More information about the organization is available at www.qcdc.org.

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