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'With Gratitude' Program Features Several Gospel Choirs

Make plans to extend your Thanksgiving holiday celebration by attending the program “With Gratitude” from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29 in ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº's Convocation Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The event celebrates the yearlong community-engaged learning project involving ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº and four African American organizations in Joliet. It includes musical offerings by the ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº Gospel Choir, Second Baptist Church, and Mount Zion Baptist Church.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about this grant-funded project: ‘Reclaiming the Narrative: Restoring Black Voices to the Story of Joliet.’ We hope that everyone will come to celebrate with us,” said Morgan Jennings, a history major and student grant coordinator.

“African Americans have lived in Joliet since its incorporation. Yet, they have often been placed on the periphery of the city’s history. The ‘Reclaiming the Narrative’ project puts them at the center. Second Baptist Church, Mount Zion Baptist Church, the National Hook-Up of Black Woman Inc Joliet Chapter, and Warren-Sharpe Community Center are the focus of the project. It is exciting to learn about their pasts, but our upcoming exhibit will include the work these organizations are doing today,” said Dennis H. Cremin, history professor and project director.

Attendees are invited to a reception with light refreshments. Convocation Hall is located at 101 Airport Road in Romeoville.

"With Gratitude"  is being presented as a part of ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº’s Arts & Ideas Program providing cultural and educational programming for students and the community. A portion of the Arts & Ideas events is sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. Partial funding also was provided by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley foundation. For more information, contact Sara Pasowicz at spasowicz@lewisu.edu.

ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº is an innovative Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, and globally-connected graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit for further information.