Joliet Central High School’s Brother-to-Brother Club and Joliet West’s Multicultural Club teamed up recently to host the first minority enrichment luncheon in the Joliet West cafeteria.
“The luncheon exposed minority students to professionals in successful careers that are not typically promoted,” Brother-to-Brother sponsor Ernest Crim said. “The event took the focus off entertainment and athletics and directed it towards fields such as education, health, business, politics, law enforcement and religion.”
A variety of minority speakers provided students with first-hand examples of success and achievement, while mentors shared their stories and connected with the students.
Speakers at the luncheon included Brittany Ramsey, a personal trainer and fitness model based out of Bolingbrook; Rev. Melody Seaton, principal of Jesse Owens Academy in Chicago and Pastor of Grace United Church of Christ in Sauk Village; Alberto Filipponi, curriculum director at Joliet Township High School in Joliet; Oscar Cuevas, a political activist and Joliet Central graduate who founded Learners for Justice; and David Jackson, detective with the Joliet Police Department.
During the event, Crim said that a myriad of historical circumstances have caused many minority communities across the country to suffer in various aspects of life.
“Part of the problem is that the younger generation is not exposed to positive role models outside of the fields of sports and entertainment,” he added. “Hopefully with this minority enrichment luncheon, we will help improve those conditions as we show these very capable students examples, not of what has been, but of what they can become.”
The luncheon was organized by Cassie Crim, Ernest Crim and Pablo Marquez.