HR0652 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0652 LRB099 13223 MST 37124 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, State Representative Monique D. Davis and the members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joyce Ann "Aisha" Ingram, who passed away on July 8, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Aisha Ingram was born in Chicago on March 4, 1957 to Eugene and Viola Handley; she attended Fernwood Elementary and graduated from Harlan High School in 1975; she married Walter "Mahir" Ingram on July 20, 1975; she earned her bachelor's degree in business education in May of 1990 and her master's degree in special education and teaching from Chicago State University in 1997; in August of 2004, she received her second master's degree in educational administration and her Type 75-Certification from Governors State University; and

WHEREAS, Aisha Ingram worked as a work study coordinator developing one of the largest work study programs in Chicago Public Schools; as a business finance educator and accounting teacher for over 20 years, she fostered relationships with businesses that offered employment opportunities to students who in turn loved her; she taught at Harlan High School, Simeon High School, Fenger High School, and Julian High School; she worked in and always served in leadership roles, including Department Chair of the Education to Career Department of Percy L. Julian High School, the Instructional Leadership Team for staff and curriculum development, teacher advocate of the Chicago Teachers Union, the Professional Personnel Leadership Committee, the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and the local school council; she sponsored annual business entrepreneurship student selling events, annual business employee-employer banquets, career technical education cooperative education luncheons, field trips, job shadowing, and internships; and

WHEREAS, Aisha Ingram fell in love with dance while in high school and started taking African dance classes; she later became a member of Muntu Dance Theater, performing with Muntu for over 20 years all over the world; she danced with Muntu in the 90s at the PanaFest in Ghana along with Public Enemy, Isaac Hayes, and Jermaine Jackson; she was also featured in the February of 1993 issue of Ebony Magazine in an article entitled "Professionals Who Moonlight as Entertainers"; she recently returned to Ghana in 2014 and was called to dance at the Cape Coast/Elmina Slave Castle; and

WHEREAS, Aisha Ingram was extremely creative and a master braider; she started her own hair braiding business to supplement her income; and

WHEREAS, Aisha Ingram was preceded in death by her mother, Viola Handley; and

WHEREAS, Aisha Ingram is survived by her father, Eugene Handley; her husband, Walter; her children, Tovis Ingram, Ari Ingram, and Micha'el Ingram; her brothers, Larry (Deborah) Handley and Kenneth (Angelia) Handley; her sister, "Khadeshah" Marianne Gray; her nephews, Rosh and Khalil Handley, Anthony and Christopher Peterson, Devoy Boyd, and Malawchee, Yosawn, Emawnuayl, and Ruvayn Gray; her nieces, Kinah Handley, La Dena Ingram, Karimiah (Awri) Mckee, and Y'Neekaw Gray; her granddaughter, Amariyah Ingram (Ari Ingram and Tangie Brooks); and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joyce Ann "Aisha" Ingram, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Aisha Ingram as an expression of our deepest sympathy.