PHI DELTA KAPPA hosts scholarship

Thursday, June 03, 2010

PHI DELTA KAPPA hosts scholarship

The Northeastern Illinois chapter of Phi Delta Kappa hosted its annual Educator/Scholarship Awards Dinner last Sunday, May 23 at the Doubletree Hotel in Alsip.

This year's recipients were: Margaret Burroughs, a founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History; Daphne LeCesne a teacher in Oak Park; Jeanette Dibella, principal of Providence St. Mel; and Demetrice Griffin, chairperson of the Westside NAACP. Scholarships were also presented to students for their education.

Invited guests included U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (7th), a former school teacher himself, and Austin Weekly News columnist Arlene Jones. The AWN writer was a special invited guest by fraternity President Louverta Hurt, who's also an Austin. Jones and Hurt will be using the columnists' new book Billion Dollar Winner this summer to teach a group of students financial literacy, economic development, business creation and entrepreneurship.

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Arlene Jones' Biography

I was born in Chicago. I grew up in Cabrini Green. I attended Wells Sr High, the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle where I majored in Spanish and minored in Education. I have a diploma in Computer Programming.

I moved to Austin when I purchased a home here. I have two children.

I have been active in the community since moving here. I started with my blockclub. In the early 1990s, I worked with several people to try and form the North Austin Homeowners Association. I even went on patrol with a group of people who had a walkie talkie car patrol of the neighborhood.

As with most programs in the AA community, many factors led to the demise of those groups. Lack of support from elected officials was at the top of the list.

There were several people who had a group and we met out of DaVinci Manor. DaVinci Manor was at the corner of North Ave and Central where Walgreen now stands. Again there was very little interest in saving that building and our community lost a beautiful hall.

I have protested the state of the Central Ave bridge. I worked with Leola Spann and did many a smoke out including one in the 1500 block of North Lorel where drug paraphenalia layed on the ground. I have over the years here in Austin worked with the following groups at one point or another:
Northeast Austin Organization (Mary Volpe, Tom Hosea);
Northwest Austin Council;
Mad Dads;
Brotherhood of Black Men;
Westside Health Authority;
Nobel Neighbors;
Every Block A Village;
Beat 2532;
25th District Housing Committee;
WVON Volunteer;
African American Employees at the Merchandise Mart (AAEMM);
Lafollette Park Advisory Council;
Garfield Park Conservatory Advisory Council;
Westside Executive Advisory Council;
Austin Landmark Cultural Center;
Concerned Citizens of East Garfield Park

and so many others that it gets hard to remember.

Arlene Jones

Arlene Jones - Featured Columnist Austin Weekly News

Thursday, June 03, 2010