Pastor Mike Jr. headlines Salute to Gospel Music
Published January 16, 2024
Celebrate gospel music this February during College of Lake County’s (CLC) 39th annual Salute to Gospel Music at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. This premier Black gospel experience is the capstone Black History Month event, bringing people together to honor the community.
The event will be held at Jesus Name Apostolic Church at 208 Lake St. in Waukegan. The concert features performances by 11-time Stellar Award Gospel artist and Dove-nominated Pastor Mike Jr. and the CLC Gospel Choir.
“CLC is committed to not only celebrating Black culture but also recognizing and honoring Black contributions that advance our community,” said Vice President of Strategic Advancement Dr. Derrick Harden.
The annual event began in 1986 as a performance opportunity to support the college’s Gospel Choir and has since evolved to be one of the most popular music programs put on by CLC. Over the years it has attracted some of the gospel music industry’s best including The Winans, Shirley Caesar and Bishop Hezikiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir.
Mary Ross Cunningham and Bishop E. James Logan will be honored with the 2024 Harambee Award of Excellence for Community and Spiritual Engagement.
Ross Cunningham has been a Lake County board member since 2002. She also serves as chair of the Law & Judicial Committee and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, as vice-chair of the Reapportionment Committee and as a member of the Health & Community Services and Rules committees.
Bishop Logan has spent more than 30 years as senior pastor of Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Zion, as prelate at Christian Faith Fellowship of Churches and as a member of the Joint College of African American Bishops.
Tickets are on sale now and going fast. Cost is $20 and $10 for students. Visit www.jlcenter.clcillinois.edu to purchase tickets online or call 847-543-2300.
Salute to Gospel Music is part of the Black History Month events happening at CLC. The Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan has a series of student-focused events including an art workshop from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8 and a poetry lunch with spoken word poet Sharon Epps from 12-1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. From 12-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, the Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills will spotlight Ghanaian Culture by delving into the traditional Ghanaian recycled glass waist beads and their cultural significance. Check out more events online.