Chicago Public Library welcomed a combined total of approximately 500 people throughout the day-long summit celebrating the life and legacy of the late Mayor Harold Washington, for whom Chicago's main library is named. The summit was held on Monday, May 9 in collaboration with the Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Committee, The HistoryMakers and the Chicago Urban League, with support from the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
The Mayor Harold Washington Summit consisted of three sessions that highlighted the ways in which the legacy of Chicago's first African American mayor continues to enrich the city. The sessions included two panels, one moderated by Art Norman and the other by Robin Robinson, and a keynote address by thought-leader and author, Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry.
"The day-long summit truly honored the legacy Mayor Washington left for our city by incorporating organizations and individuals who worked for his administration, and those affected by it," said Commissioner Brian Bannon. "The speakers offered discussion and thoughtfulness about how his policies and work are relevant to our city today, providing attendees a contemporary lens on his legacy."
The morning panel, moderated by journalist Art Norman, explored Mayor Washington’s life, advocacy and work up to the time of his election as Mayor of Chicago. Panelists included Cook County Clerk David Orr, Jacky Grimshaw, Adam Green, Lois Teen Walker and Barbara Norman.
The afternoon panel, moderated by journalist Robin Robinson, discussed the time during which he was mayor of Chicago and ways in which he influenced the direction of the city and its citizens. Panelists included Laura Washington, Rebecca Sive, Christopher Reed and Helen Shiller.
The summit concluded with an evening keynote address by Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry, the Maya Angelou Presidential Chair at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. She is also the Executive Director of the Pro Humanitate Institute and founding director of the Anna Julia Cooper Center, and previously hosted a television show on MSNBC. Dr. Harris-Perry discussed Mayor Washington’s life and times and the ways in which his legacy continues to enrich Chicago.
The speakers and panelists throughout the summit enthusiastically discussed the many ways in which Mayor Harold Washington left an indelible signature on the city of Chicago.
Since 1873, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. CPL received the Social Innovator Award from Chicago Innovation Awards; won a National Medal for Library Services from the Institute for Museum and Library Services; was named the first ever winner of the National Summer Learning Association’s Founder’s Award in recognition of its Summer Learning Challenge; and was ranked number one in the U.S., and third in the world by an international study of major urban libraries conducted by the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information, please call (312) 747-4050 or visit chipublib.org.
