Jesse White Recognizes State Leaders in a Video honoring African American Heritage

Month

Honorees include Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Illinois Poet
Laureate Angela Jackson and Apostolic Church of God Pastor Dr. Byron Brazier
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White recognized African American Heritage Month with a video
honoring three of the state’s leaders, including the Director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson and Apostolic Church of God in
Chicago Pastor Dr. Byron Brazier.
Secretary White honored the following individuals:
? Illinois Department of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike –the first African American Director of the
Department of Public Health in its more than 140-year history — received the Distinguished
Leadership Award. She has helped lead Illinois to reach a 70% vaccination rate during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
? Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson, the fifth Illinois Poet Laureate, received the Excellence in
Arts Award. She joins the list of prestigious authors, including Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn
Brooks.
? Apostolic Church of God Pastor Dr. Byron Brazier received the Excellence in Community
Service Award. He established The Network of Woodlawn in Chicago to foster transformation
through education, public safety and economic development.
“This year, we wanted to honor Dr. Ezike, who has been a source of information, inspiration and
comfort to our state during this pandemic,” said White. “We also wanted to celebrate our state’s
newest Poet Laureate Angela Jackson, a protégé of Gwendolyn Brooks, as well as Pastor Dr. Brazier,
who has helped many people in the community during these difficult times.”
Previous honorees include Blues legend Buddy Guy, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame baseball player
Ernie Banks, Chicago Bears superstar Otis Wilson, Jazz great Ramsey Lewis, legendary DJ Herb
Kent, Grammy award-winning artist Lupe Fiasco, Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams, and Ariel
Investments chair and co-CEO John Rogers Jr.
“This month we celebrate the amazing contributions made to society by African Americans,” said
White. “Take the time to learn more about African American culture and do something good for
someone every day,” said White. When you have done those things and more, this world is a better
place for all of us.”
To watch the video, visit https://youtu.be/lW1BXwVHIWQ.