June 24, 2021
The Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition Chairman, Mr. Ephraim Martin announced during a Press Conference today that key coalition members
and supporters has revisited the DuSable Drive Compromise that was proposed earlier this week by Mayor Lightfoot and her administration. The outcome is a positive one. One that will honor Chicago’s founding Father in a profound way.
“The BHM Coalition’s, position for a compromise is if the mayor would allow the vote this Friday (June 25th), we will accept the proposed adjustment to rename the Lake Shore Drive roadway as ‘The JeanBaptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, only if the voting can be done this Friday, June 25th, 2021, Mr. Martin stressed. While the proposal was only a verbal one, he ensured other Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition members that Alderpersons David Moore and Sophia King (the sponsors of the ordinance) are working to make it ready for a vote during the City Council meeting this Friday. Also, during the press conference, BHM Coalition’s Political Chairperson,
Justice Shelvin L.M. Hall, talked about the art of compromise and how significant it is to recognize when it is a good thing to do. Earlier n the week, the BHM Coalition leaders were caught off guard with the midnight hour compromise and believe that it is now time for the people to see the progress.
In the past year, BHM leaders, members and supporters have been working endlessly to affect a positive outcome for DuSable by attending City Council Committee meetings and other events; making phone calls; distributing important information and updates; etc. Some of those include, Tremell Williams, Youth/Entertainment Chairman; Elsie Hernandez, Education Chairperson; Valerie Hill and Marilyn May, Communications Chair and Co-Chair; Joel Stanford, Minister Eric Sexton, Pastor Eric Taylor, Minister Betty Kellum, Olivier Kamanzi, Yolaine Dauphin, Claire Moreau, and Blaq Ice who opened and closed today’s press conference with remarkable poems entitled “Black Heroes Matter” and “Get Your Knee off Our Neck”
They all concurred that they would continue in that work until DuSable is properly honored by the City of Chicago. BHM Chairman, Martin said that he is grateful for the work of his team and concluded with “We now call on all Council members to be united to make this a unanimous vote to honor Chicago’s founding Father, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, the man who journeyed from the Caribbean country of Haiti to start his great city that we all now enjoy.”
Last May, shortly following the gruesome police murder of George Floyd, Mr. Martin and his wife, the Hon. Shelvin L.M. Hall, Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, now retired, formed the Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition, as an assumed name corporation under MIF. They started with more than 20 supporting organizations and has now grown to some 80 organizations and businesses. All supporting
organizations and businesses, along with GoFundMe donors and petition signers can be seen at www.Blackheroesmatter.org.
June 10, 2021
Martin on the Thomas Spann Show in Florida talks DuSable, Festival and more.
June 10, 2021
May 28, 2021
COME OUT AND JOIN THE
PROTEST & MUSIC CELEBRATION
THIS SATURDAY
MAY 29, 2021
12:00/NOON
GRANT PARK
BY PETRILLO BAND SHELL
May 27, 2021
Gangster Move by Mayor Lightfoot & 2 Aldermen delayed Vote to rename Lake Shore Drive after DuSable Read more
May 21, 2021
Jamaican Trailblazer snags victory for Black Heroes Matter Movement. Read more
Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition invites you to join its very important peaceful Rally/Press Conference
May 25, 2021
May 3, 2021
IRAWMA founder Ephraim Martin working for Change in Chicago. Click here and read in the Jamaican Gleaner, the world's oldest daily newspaper. Read more
May 2, 2021
LSD To DuSable Drive Close to Reality- Justice For Chicago Black Founder. Historic1st round win- DuSable Drive –Ald. Moore/BHM victory! Read more
April 20, 2021
Minutes from honoring the father of Chicago, Dusable, justice was again delayed.
Read more
February 25, 2021
Black Heroes Matter DuSable Seminar tonight, 7: 00 pm. CST
Read more
February 23, 2021
I got my vaccination and getting ready for our 2021 Awards and Festivals. If you are thinking of enjoying Awards, Festivals and having fun,again, please be sure to get your vaccination when your time comes around.
Get your vaccination now! Take care of yourself and each other.
February 12, 2021
On behalf of Martin's International and the Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition, we congratulate our very own BHM founding member and Deputy Chair, Joel Stanford on his first anniversary of his Stanmorr Sports, Inc. this Black History Month. Stanmorr Sports, Inc. is the only Black-owned Gun Range in Illinois and one of three Black-owned Gun Ranges in the Country. Click here and watch this piece on ABC 7 news.
December 30, 2020
The Chicago Reader reports... We should rename Chicago’s shoreline highway DuSable Drive, but we don’t have to drop LSD
Read more
December 29, 2020
BHM address the Mayor
Read more
December 23, 2020
BHM dialog with Mayor Lightfoot on DuSable...
Read more
December 22, 2020
Please see the Thank You letter to the Mayor, along with the Monument location, the
requested Drive, and Holiday information.
Click the picture to view a larger image
December 13, 2020
December 12, 2020
The BHM coalition full report from its 12 members who addressed the City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way on Friday, December 11th will be coming soon.
Read more
Thanks to Alderman Moore, Alderwoman King and all the Black Heroes Matter participants in last Friday's City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way .....
Watch the video
December 1, 2020
Welcome to Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Giving Tuesday! After 240 years of founding this great city, he must be given a major Monument, a full City Holiday and Lake Shore Drive must be renamed DuSable Drive this month.
Read more
November 30, 2020
CHICAGO MUSIC AWARDS CYBER MONDAY TIX RUSH - DONATION $5 MINIMUM!
November 27, 2020
November 9, 2020
Congrats to President-Elect Biden & VP-Elect Harris
Read more
October 12, 2020
1st Black Gun Range Owner matches DuSable Early Donors… calls on Mayor & others to chip in!
Read more
Deserving Cause DuSable Monument - Giving Tuesday... Join the party on Zoom and other social media
Read more
October 21, 2020
Welcome to Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Giving Correct the wrongs to DuSable now! Black Heroes Matter asked Mayor Lightfoot & City Council...
Read more
August 18, 2020
Happy 133rd birthweek Marcus Garvey! Joe Biden should now make a commitment to Pardon Garvey when he is in office as President.
August 30, 2020
Special Memorial Weekend in America! A DuSable weekend @DuSableChicago and www.Bvlackheroesmatter.org
July 9, 2020
Martin leads Black Heroes - 50 Organizations rally in Chicago!
July 24, 2020
Columbus Monument down! Up with DuSable Monument. Street and City Holiday!
July 18, 2020
Who was Chicago's Founder? A Black Man from the Caribbean.
July 4, 2020
Martin called for DuSable holiday-Street and Monument and outlined Road to End Systemic Racism - July 4th Rally- Chicago
BHM celebrated DuSable Lake Shore Drive Victory with Rally & Motor Caravan!
Big & Historic Win for DuSable -Black Founder of Chicago! Yes, Black Heroes Matter! Read more.....
Ephraim Martin welcomes 20,000 cyclists to Bike the DuSable Lake Shore Drive.