Lincoln Douglass Dinner Friday, June 6, 2025 Trump Hotel and Towers Chicago Program Welcome Ebony Tillman Tillman Family Press Invocation Dinner Dramatic Readings and Speeches President Abraham Lincoln Rev. Fredrick Douglass Remarks Jimmy Lee Tillman II Martin Luther King Republicans Benediction
We are grateful to have you join our 17th annual Lincoln Douglass Dinner. Illinois GOP has a tradition of hosting Lincoln Dinners to honor its native son and great Republican leader. The committee has been planning a wonderful evening to educate and entertain as we celebrate the friendship between two great American Patriots, President Abraham Lincoln, and Reverend Fredrick Douglass. The dinner will be an interactive event with dramatic readings and prose. The Martin Luther King Republicans are happy to return to the beautiful Trump International Hotel and Towers Chicago because this is where MLKR was founded in 2008, on the night former President Obama gave his speech in Grant Park. It was formed to be the conservative option for the Black community we are today. Dedicating 17 years to helping create policy, advising legislators, recruiting candidates, supporting grassroots efforts, and contributing wherever possible to build a Beloved Country where all are proud to be Americans. Each year, we extend a heartfelt invitation to individuals of all political ideologies to join us for the Lincoln Douglass Dinner. This event serves as a vibrant platform where diverse voices can converge in enriching dialogue. We are proud to recognize our Local North Star Award recipients, Jeanne Ives and Max Solomon, who were thoughtfully selected from different segments of the Illinois GOP. Their recognition underscores the rich tapestry of perspectives within our party and lays the groundwork for unity. The ILGOP, often segmented into cliques of old and new Republicans or divided by geography along I-80, can find a unifying space at our event. MLKR is proud to uphold Dr. King's principles of nonviolence, recognizing the need for a neutral ground where cooperation can thrive despite differences. Our National North Star recipients, HUD Secretary Tim Scott and Gianno Caldwell, both conservatives, embody the North Star principles of community leadership and service, proving that principled leadership can bridge divides and guide us toward a shared purpose. In this commemorative book, you will find the dramatic prose and readings we will present this year. We invite you to volunteer to participate in the reading of the short play A President and the Preacher, written by Ebony Tillman. We also have included the Six Principles of Nonviolence that MLKR utilizes in the political arena to fulfill Dr. King's vision of a united America. We hope you enjoy our short biographies about President Lincoln and Rev. Douglass. Tillman Family Press will publish this commemorative book as part of the Martin Luther King Republicans' 15th Anniversary Series. They are proud to announce the upcoming release of Tillman's Handbook on Trump's Black Agenda and guide to understanding how the America First Policies helped Black America, which will be released this summer.
The Martin Luther King Republicans are honored to welcome Bernadette Smith, Co-Chair of the Michigan Republican Party (MIGOP), who is visiting us from Michigan for our Lincoln Douglass Dinner. Bernadette Smith serves as Co-Chair alongside Chairman Jim Runestad, bringing fresh energy and perspective to Michigan's Republican leadership. A woman of integrity committed to translating words into action, Bernadette has dedicated herself to supporting election integrity statewide and locally while providing education and resources to help Michigan communities achieve their goals. Her previous experience as MIGOP Ethnic Vice Chair demonstrates her longstanding commitment to building bridges and fostering unity within the Republican Party. Her dedication to Republican values is not just a belief but a source of inspiration and motivation for all of us. Recognized by colleagues as "a proven leader with experience" who has "the gifting and strength to not only lead our party but to influence others to get on board," Bernadette brings a passionate commitment to conservative principles and grassroots engagement. Her leadership style emphasizes faith, trust, and unity as foundational elements for advancing Republican values throughout Michigan. We are grateful for Bernadette's service to her state and her dedication to strengthening the Republican Party at every level. We especially appreciate her making the journey to Chicago with her husband and daughter to be with us tonight, reflecting the shared commitment of Republicans across all communities to the principles of freedom, opportunity, and equal justice that define our party's legacy. Please join us in welcoming Co-Chair Bernadette Smith as we celebrate the enduring values that unite us in service to Michigan and our nation.
The North Star Award is named in honor of "The North Star," the influential anti-slavery newspaper founded by the great Frederick Douglass in 1847. Just as Douglass used his platform to champion freedom and justice, our 2025 recipients continue this legacy by using their voices and platforms to advance conservative principles and truth in our communities and nation. While scheduling challenges have prevented our honorees from joining us in person tonight, the Martin Luther King Republicans are excited to celebrate these exceptional leaders among our fellow conservatives who share their commitment to principled advocacy and meaningful change. LOCAL AWARDEES Attorney Max Solomon Former Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Max Solomon exemplifies conservative leadership in the heart of Illinois. As a dedicated attorney and former gubernatorial candidate, he has consistently championed conservative values and constitutional principles despite the prevailing political headwinds in our state. His unwavering commitment to the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberty serves as an inspiration to conservatives across Illinois who refuse to surrender their principles to progressive orthodoxy. The Honorable Jeanne Ives Former State Representative and Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Founder of Breakthrough Ideas A fearless advocate for conservative principles, Jeanne Ives has distinguished herself as one of Illinois' most principled conservative voices. During her tenure as State Representative, she courageously stood against the political establishment to defend taxpayers and uphold traditional values. As the founder of Breakthrough Ideas, she continues to provide strategic leadership and innovative solutions to advance conservative causes. Her gubernatorial campaigns demonstrated that conservative messages can resonate even in challenging political environments when delivered with conviction and authenticity. Both local recipients demonstrate extraordinary courage in using their platforms and advocacy to spread conservative messages throughout Illinois, proving that principled leadership can flourish even in the most challenging political climates.
The Honorable Scott Turner Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development The U.S. Senate confirmed Secretary Scott Turner, who now serves as the 19th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. A former NFL player and Texas State Representative, Secretary Turner brings a unique perspective to federal housing policy, combining his experience in professional athletics, public service, and ministry. His leadership exemplifies the conservative principle that effective governance requires both compassion and accountability. Secretary Turner and his office expressed genuine gratitude for this recognition, although his demanding schedule and limited staff made it difficult for him to send a representative to tonight's celebration. Gianno Caldwell Founder, Caldwell Institute for Public Safety Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell has emerged as one of America's most compelling voices on urban violence and public safety. His personal story is a testament to faith, hard work, and self-determination, as he rose from a childhood in a neighborhood plagued by violence, poverty, and drugs to become a respected commentator and advocate. Caldwell's latest book, "The Day My Brother Was Murdered: My Journey Through America's Violent Crime Crisis," represents both a profoundly personal account and a policy roadmap for addressing the violence devastating America's communities. Following the tragic murder of his eighteen-year-old brother Christian on June 24, 2022, Caldwell has channeled his grief into meaningful action through the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, working to create evidence-based solutions to America's crime crisis. His advocacy demonstrates how personal tragedy can be transformed into powerful advocacy for the safety and security that every American community deserves. Caldwell also expressed his gratitude for this recognition, and the Martin Luther King Republicans look forward to joining the Caldwell Institute in his upcoming trip to promote his book in Chicago. The North Star Legacy Like Frederick Douglass, who used "The North Star" to illuminate the path toward freedom and justice, these four recipients shine as beacons of conservative leadership in our time. They remind us that principled advocacy, courageous leadership, and unwavering commitment to truth can indeed light the way forward, even in the darkest of political climates. Tonight, we celebrate not just their achievements but their collective commitment to the conservative principles that strengthen our communities and preserve our freedoms for future generations.
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