SALUTE TO ABENA JOAN BROWN
WHEREAS, For the past four decades, exemplary citizen Abena Joan Brown, has been the president of eta Creative Arts, an outstanding organization she co-founded and an iconic south side institution that fostered a multitude of African-American artists, writers, actors, and directors; and
WHEREAS, Abena Joan Brown's enrollment in dance classes when three years of age foreshadowed her eventual inspiring career. This nurtured the appreciation for how important are the arts within the African-American community; and
WHEREAS, Abena Joan Brown's academic education included Bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University and a Master's degree focusing on community organization and management from the University of Chicago. She used her terpsichorean talents to pay for college by dancing in nightclubs throughout Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The difficulties surrounding this nation's civil rights struggle only strengthened Ms. Brown's desire to express her self through the arts. Ultimately, she realized that she could use her higher education as well as assist in the civil rights struggle by utilizing the theatre as a place where African-Americans could foster their artistic skills; and
WHEREAS, Although Ms. Brown had been active in the arts as a dancer, it wasn't until the late 1950s that she started acting. She joined Drama Incorporated and began being heavily involved in all facets of theatre production. She not only performed on stage but also contributed to the backstage effort by building sets, stage managing, and directing wardrobe; and
WHEREAS, After nine years of planning and fundraising, Abena Joan Brown finally realized her dream of a permanent community arts center by moving eta Creative Arts into its current South Chicago Avenue facility; and
WHEREAS, Abena's accolades include an honorary doctorate from Chicago State University, induction into the Women's Hall of Fame of Chicago, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Joseph Jefferson Committee...
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