RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Grayson Mitchell has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 67; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of the Hyde Park community, Grayson Mitchell was Mayor Harold Washington's Press Secretary during the mayor's campaign and after his election during one of Chicago's most turbulent fights for power known as "Council Wars"; and
WHEREAS, A native of Alabama, Grayson Mitchell interned at the Chicago Sun-Times as a reporter while attending Morehouse College; and
WHEREAS, Grayson Mitchell earned a degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and worked as a reporter at the Washington Post; and
WHEREAS, Grayson Mitchell worked as an assistant to John H. Johnson, the founder of Johnson Publishing, and wrote for Ebony, Jet and Black Enterprise magazines; and
WHEREAS, A highly popular, dynamic and intelligent leader of Mayor Washington's policy team, Grayson Mitchell was known for his pragmatism, even temperament under pressure and the ability "to thread the needle between the political militants and the mainstream Democrats"; and
WHEREAS, After leaving City Hall, Grayson Mitchell was active in policy work and founded his own firm, North Star Communications; and
WHEREAS, In 1991 Grayson Mitchell joined a partner in forming Summit Consulting whose client list included major corporations such as Exelon, United Airlines and JCDecaux; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Grayson Mitchell serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Grayson Mitchell to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Grayson Mitchell was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his daughter, Ayanna, his son, Jua, his sister, Cassandra, and his five adoring grandchildren, Grayson Mitchell imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-eighth day of February, 2018, do hereby commemorate Grayson Mitchell for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Grayson Mitchell.