Jamaican activist in Chicago scores historic double victory
Jamaican national Ephraim Martin. Ephraim Martin & BHM
Caribbean Life, JULY 2-8, 2021 11
Jamaican Ephraim Martin,
a Midwestern resident is celebrating
double victory from a
33-15 decision voted by Chicago
city council members who
green-lit his Black Heroes Matter
campaign to rename the
prestigious Lake Shore Drive in
tribute to Haitian, trailblazer
Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable.
“Thanks to the people of
Chicago and the donors … it’s
unbelievable…what a victory!”
he exclaimed after getting the
majority vote.
The activist, immigrant
seemed elated that only a year
after the start of his mission
and with strong resistance
from power brokers the longest
named street in America is set
to become a signpost honoring
a Caribbean national, pioneer,
businessman and most notably
a Black man.
After 240 years, the name
change now dedicates a 17-mile
stretch from the north side of
the river to the south side of
the expressway.
It took vigorous pleas to
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the
city council to bring the motion
for a vote.
News reports described past
and te previous meetings to be
“raucous.”
Despite the differences of
opinions, last Friday the BHM
proposal triumphed.
Motivated by last year’s advocacy
of a Black Lives Matter
Movement following the murder
of George Floyd, Martin
extended his reggae-filled days
to include chairing a coalition
of like-minded citizens who
believe Black Heroes Matter.
Together, they marched,
hosted virtual sessions, lobbied
with politicians to wage
a media campaign focusing on
informing residents about the
history of their city.
To the surprise of many,
DuSable, an immigrant, Black
man was revealed to be the
true founding father.
Throughout his campaign,
Martin blamed systemic racism
as the cause of omitting DuSable’s
contribution to establishing
Chicago as a city.
As for Martin, he is founder
of IRAWMA (International Reggae
and World Music Awards),
an alternative reward presentation
gala, ceremony to the
Grammy Awards.
Established one year after
the 1981 death of reggae legend
Bob Marley, the honors have
annually expanded from solely
acknowledging the Jamaica
birthed music form to add
ignored genres and categories.
In addition, Marin is revered
for honoring local achievers by
establishing a Chicago Music
Awards and the July 4 weekend
Festival of Life.
ZIGGY CAPPED
HONORARY
DOCTORATE AT
MEDGAR EVERS
COLLEGE
Two thousand 662 students
were honored during a virtual
graduation ceremony which
combined joint 2020 and 2021
classes from Brooklyn’s Medgar
Evers College but only one
already owns eight Grammy
Awards and a slew of other
music awards — David “Ziggy”
Marley.
The international star and
revered heir of a legacy shaped
by parents — Bob and Rita
Marley two globally recognized
talents — Ziggy was conferred
Doctor of Fine Arts.
The honorary degree, lauded
during a virtual ceremony
hailed his 40 years of honing
a career as producer, Emmy
winner, author and musician.
He was also recognized for his
advocacy against social injustice,
humanitarian and philanthropic
contributions.
The reggae benefactor is
founder of URGE (Unlimited
Resources Giving Enlightenment)
a non-profit organization
whose mission encompasses
construction of schools, operating
health clinics, providing
camp experiences and aiding
with back-to-school needs.
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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