Luster Products holds annual Black Heritage Performance

Jet, March 24, 1997

Luster Products' Black Heritage Foundation recently held its eighth annual Black Heritage Performance at the Chicago Hilton and Towers.

Some 2,300 guests were dazzled by superstar songstress Chaka Khan, who along with comedian Bernie Mac, provided sensational entertainment in the hotel's International Ballroom.

Both entertainers, who are Chicago natives, were enthusiastically received by the crowd.

WMAQ-TV anchor Art Norman and WGCI-FM personality Jeanne Sparrow co-hosted the affair.

Clarence O. Smith, president of Essence Communications, Inc., was presented the prestigious Fred Luster Sr. Image Award. The award is presented annually to Black men whose accomplishments serve as an ideal for young people.

In 1969 Smith became interested in contributing to the social and economic rise of Black people by publishing a Black women's magazine. In May 1970, the first issue of Essence hit the newsstands, and Essence Communications, Inc. began its journey to corporate success.

The Performance is presented annually by the Luster Products Black Heritage Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Luster Products. It is dedicated to promoting positive values, community services and inspirational role models for African Americans. The Performance benefits numerous local, community-based organizations to support the Foundation's public service initiatives.

Funds raised from the 1997 event will benefit Demicco Youth Services, Lawndale Community School, Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities and Habilitative Systems, Inc.

Another new initiative that will receive support from the Black Heritage Performance is the Leadership Education Advancement Program (LEAP), which is designed to improve the reading, writing and math skills of youths who attend elementary Chicago public schools. The partnership among Luster Products Black Heritage Foundation, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago State University (CSU) and DePaul University Center for Urban Education will train parents and CSU education majors or students who are studying to become teachers how to tutor elementary students in computer usage and peer-learning techniques.

Chicago-based Luster Products, Inc. is a leading Black-owned manufacturer of hair care and personal care products for people of African descent worldwide.