HR0673 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0673 LRB099 13305 MST 37346 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Abena Joan Brown of Chicago on July 12, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Abena Brown was born on Chicago's South Side, the only child of Lueola Reed; she was introduced to the arts at the age of 3 when she began studying dance, then recited, sang, and testified at church; and

WHEREAS, Abena Brown majored in dance at the University of Illinois and later at Roosevelt University, where she earned a bachelor's degree; she performed at local clubs and Roosevelt University's jazz club; she earned a master's degree in community organization and management from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, During the 1960s, Abena Brown became involved in the civil rights movement and was one of the founders of The Catalyst, which focused on accountability and led to the creation of the National Association of Black Social Workers, the Association of Black Psychologists, and other organizations; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, Abena Brown co-founded Ebony Talents Associates, later to be known as eta Creative Arts Foundation, where she served as President and CEO, gaining experience as an actress, company manager, stage manager, director, and producer; she led the business for 40 years until her retirement in 2011, building it into a major presence in black theater; and

WHEREAS, As head of eta Creative Arts, Abena Brown led the purchase and renovation of a 200-seat theater, a gallery space, classrooms and a studio, putting up $2,000 of her own money, and then led the acquisition of an entire city block from 75th to 76th streets along South Chicago Avenue for future expansion; and

WHEREAS, Abena Brown took generations of aspiring playwrights, actors, visual artists, and students under her wing, insisting that the work at eta Creative Arts reflect Chicago's African-American community in a positive light and that neighborhoods were where artists and investments were needed most; she took countless students to West Africa to expose them to art, music, and dance, an effort known as the Africa Express; and

WHEREAS, Abena Brown has more than 150 professional theater productions to her credit and received more than 60 prestigious honors and awards, including the Award of Merit from the Black Theater Alliance, the Paul Robeson Award from the African American Arts Alliance, the Governor's Award in the Arts, the Muntu Dance Theatre's ALYO Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Joseph Jefferson Committee; in 2000, she was inducted into the Literary Hall of Fame at the Gwendolyn Brooks Center at Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, Abena Brown's widespread civic activities included working as Director of Program Services at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago; she served as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, as a member of the Woman's Board of the Chicago Urban League and the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, and as Vice-Chairman of the board of directors for Muntu Dance Theatre; and

WHEREAS, Abena Brown was the proud mother of Olorode Joyce Brown, Yolanda Cannon, and Margaret "Peggy" Lucas; the godmother of Phillip Thomas; the grandmother of Leatha Cannon, Doreen Abena Lucas, Kweli and Isoke Brown, LaMarcus Keys, Raymond Lucas, and Maurice and Lance Cannon; and the grandmother of Urban M. Brown, Jr., who preceded her in death; she had 7 great-grandchildren; 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 Abena Joan Brown 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 Abena Brown as an expression of our deepest sympathy.