John D. Evans is an educator, humanitarian, folklorist, author, and poet whose literary work, Diary of A Renaissance Man, a component of The Evans Poetry Collection was named Children's Choice 2008 by the International Reading Association, the Children's Book Council, and 10,000 schoolchildren. Mr. Evans is a member of the Poetry Society of America, The Academy of American Poets, the Illinois State Poetry Society, The Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society of Education and Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity of America, Inc. He has written several volumes of poetry, which include, but are not limited to “Acres Of Green And Oceans Of Blue,” “More Than A Club Kid,” “Things That Make My World Go ‘Round,” and “How Deep I Can Be” -- all of which are components of The Evans Poetry Collection. In the summer of 2000, Mr. Evans published Acres Of Green And Oceans Of Blue: Diary Of A Runaway. This literary work was later followed by More Than A Club Kid: Man Versus Self (2002); Things That Make My World Go ‘Round: A Poetic Memoir (2003); How Deep I Can Be: Lessons And Confessions (2005); Diary Of A Renaissance Man: Axioms, Aphorisms, Art, and Poetry (2007); J.D.’s Groove: Poetry by John D. Evans (2008); and Between The Sun And The Shade: Thanksgiving with the Davis Family (2009); The Adventures Of Snout Series, a four-volume children’s book series (2009); From Shining Doorknobs to Sporting Diamonds: Poetry and Nuggets of Wisdom (2009) and Washin' My Hands (2010), a spoken word CD and the first audio recording of The Evans Poetry Collection, capturing over 200 years of African American poetry.
Mr. Evans will coordinate the participation of individuals, organizations, institutions, and communities throughout the State of Illinois in connection with the worldwide observance of 2011 International Men’s Day. International Men’s Day celebrates and honors the sacrifices that Men have made and continue to make to our families, communities, and our society. The theme for 2011 International Men’s Day is “Our Children … Our Future” – a theme that celebrates the 48 hour partnership that International Men’s Day has with Universal Children’s Day, which is celebrated on 20th November 2011 and endorsed by the United Nations.
“Mr. Evans is a consummate professional who has a strong work ethic and a history of building effective coalitions. We look forward to working with Mr. Evans and supporting him in his role as the Illinois (USA) Regional Coordinator for 2011 International Men’s Day,” remarked Diane A. Sears, United States Coordinator for 2011 International Men’s Day and a member of the International Men’s Day Coordination Committee.
Individuals, institutions, and organizations in Illinois in the United States that are interested in participating in International Men’s Day, should contact Mr. John D. Evans, the Illinois (USA) Regional Coordinator, by e-mail at:IMDIllinois@aol.com
Need for IMD
International Men’s Day Poem
As long as there is a boy
Who never met his father
As long as there is a lad
Who has no “daddy and me” stories
As long as there is a male child
Who spends his time out of class
On vacations, game stations
Detentions and suspensions
As long as there is one
Lost, blind, refuse to see
There is a need for IMD
As long as there is a young man
Who feels his pants must sag
To feel cool, to dig deep
As long as there is a man-in-training
Who speaks profanely
As long as there is a child, a son
Who wears shackles and sores
Manners, pride, and courtesy
As long as there is a man,
Anywhere, needing to be free
There will be a need for IMD
As long as there is a man
Who sacrifices for his family
As long as there is a man
Who loves and whose love is sweet
As long as there is a man
Who keeps on climbing
To the tip-top and won’t stop
Pursuing, living a dream
As long as there is one
Any time - did, doing, done
There’s a need for IMD
As long as there is an old sage
Sitting beneath an ancient tree
As long as there is an aged one
Whose branches, veins run deep
As long as there is a patient one
Running this race, victoriously
Holding on to a rich history
The flame is in the torch
As long as there is one
Anywhere, I believe
We need IMD
by John D. Evans
Regional Coordinator, IMD Illinois (USA)
Chicago’s International Men’s Day event to focus on development of boys
Real Men Cook co-founder Yvette Moyo Gillard directs “Giving Boys the Best Possible Start in Life” events in six U.S. cities
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (USA) —2 November 2011 -- The crisis among boys, particularly urban youth, will be the focus of this year’s International Men’s Day-Chicago event involving more than 20 community groups and city and state agencies. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the free event, directed by Real Men Cook® co-founder Yvette Moyo Gillard and presented by Real Men Charities, Inc., in cooperation with Chicago Vocational Career Academy (CVCA). The Saturday, Nov. 19 program will be moderated by WVON-AM radio personalities Cliff Kelley and Matt McGill and includes free health screenings in association with CVCA's Community Day activities.
International Men’s Day is recognized by the United Nations and observed in more than 50 countries. Similar Real Men events will take place in Real Men Cook cities of Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas.
During the Chicago event, prominent pioneer leaders will be honored for their work in laying the groundwork that empowers a gifted group of younger men today. With the theme, “Giving Boys the Best Possible Start in Life”, panel discussions will be led by this younger group of leaders and focus on five challenges: Health and life expectancy; education; violence; rights to fatherhood; and real life choices.
Among the men to be recognized are Dr. Terry Mason, Haki Madhubuti, Dr. Carl Bell, Thomas Wortham, III and Phillip Jackson. Panelists include host principal Douglas L. Maclin, Javin Foreman, Carl West, T.J. Crawford and former DCFS Director Erwin McEwen.
“This is a real opportunity to bring even more attention to the future of our boys, the importance of fatherhood, honoring our pioneer leaders who are now passing the torch to the youth and hearing from the best and brightest committed young fathers and leaders offering solutions,” said Moyo Gillard. “Chicago is an important city in finding solutions to these problems. We expect to come out of the event with solid ideas and marching orders.”
Other highlights include the introduction of Kenneth Braswell, whose organization, Fathers Incorporated, recently was awarded $7.4 million to manage President Obama’s National Fatherhood Clearinghouse. Additionally, the Real Men Cook Urban Youth Café will be launched.
The Urban Youth Café is a 20-week course that trains 20-30 apprentice chefs in entrepreneurial and culinary art skills to promote healthy cooking and home economics. Chef Curtis Drane, Vanessa Muhammad and Real Men Cook veteran Julian Valentine conceptualized the Real Men Charities, Inc. Urban Youth Cafe in line with the organization's Real Men Cook with Kids nutrition and disease prevention efforts.
WHAT: International Men’s Day event, themed “Giving Boys The Best Possible Start In Life”
WHO: Forum featuring prominent pioneer and youth leaders, community organizations and residents. Hosted by Real Men Cook co-founder Yvette Moyo-Gillard, CVCA Principal Douglas Maclin, Chef Curtis Drane and Real Men Charities, Inc. Associate Executive Director Gerald Frazier
WHEN: Saturday, November 19, 2011
9 a.m.: Registration
9:30 a.m.: Multi-Media Introduction,
10 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.: Panel discussions
2 p.m.: Healthy Lunch, International Food Focus
WHERE: Chicago Vocational Career Academy, 2100 East 87th St., Chicago, Illinois.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: International Men’s Day spokespersons, including Yvette Moyo Gillard, are available for pre-event interviews.
NOTE TO TELEVISION PRODUCERS: Former Morton Steak House and Webber Grill executive chef Curtis Drane and chef apprentice Julian Valentine are available to talk about their mentor-protégé (“best possible start in life”) relationship while they prepare internationally inspired dishes.
PARTICIPATING GROUPS: Fathers Who Care; Project Brotherhood; Dept. of Human Services Task Force; Community Mental Health Council; Chicago Police; Retired Firemen; and a host of Men’s church and community groups.
* * *
This advisory was sent from John D. Evans, Regional Coordinator for Illinois, IMD.
________________________________________________________________________________________________ About IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition:
*The writing competition is closed for this year. No more entries are being accepted. Frank Klock is an honorable mention winner this year for his short story, "A Stone's Throw."
Open to male and female residents of the State of Illinois (U.S.A.), including incarcerated male and female writers, the Illinois (U.S.A.) region of the International Men's Day 2011, IMD Illinois, seek to promote positive male role models; to celebrate writings related to the core objectives of IMD with prizes awarded to the top three poems, essays, and short stories; and to recognize award winners and honorable mentions in an awards dinner and ceremony to take place on Friday, November 19, 2011 at a location to be determined.
The Judges:
Dr. Bruce Guernsey - Poetry Final Judge
Dr.Bruce Guernsey
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Eastern Illinois University www.bruceguernsey.com
Dr. Bruce Guernsey is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Eastern Illinois University where he taught creative writing and American Literature for twenty-five years. He has also taught at William and Mary, Johns Hopkins, the University of New Hampshire, and Virginia Wesleyan College where he was the poet in residence for four years. A graduate with honors from Colgate University, he holds M.A.'s from the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins and a PhD from New Hampshire, writing his dissertation on tools as metaphor in Robert Frost's poetry.
The Prizes:
The Langston Hughes Prize for Poetry - $250
The L. T. Henry Award for Best Work on Fatherhood [Poem, Essay, or Short Story]
Award Deadline: *Submissions will be accepted until November 1, 2011*
Individuals, institutions, and organizations in Illinois in the United States that are interested in participating in 2011 International Men’s Day, should contact Mr. John D. Evans, the Illinois (USA) Regional Coordinator, by e-mail at: IMDIllinois@aol.com
IMD Illinois, Inc. Congratulates Frank C. Klock
Winner of the IMD Illinois - TEPC Inc.
Frances E. W. Harper Prize for Short Story 2011
Frank C. Klock
Biography
A native of Chicago and oldest of seven siblings, Frank, as witness to the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s; the protests against the Vietnam War, fighting over dug-out parking spots after the blizzard of ’67, racial riots, the space race and the landing on the moon, the assignations of his heroes M.L. King and Robert Kennedy, and the shootings at Kent State, all still color his thoughts and dreams for a future world.
A Masters Degree in Education and Administration provided credentials for many endeavors, but little money. Jobs making pizzas, working at a steel warehouse, being a night auditor for Holiday Inn, doing lighting design for community theatre, marrying his beautiful Mary Kay, all brought him back full circle to education. Teaching high school English and English as a Second Language, developed his taste for rich culture and world travel. Leading a large district’s ESL Program and state assessment committee while teaching kept him active for the last thirty-five years.
Now in ‘semi-retirement,’ he has returned to writing fiction. Besides short stories, he’s drafting two novels. He lives happily with his wife, Mary Kay, in Naperville with no pets or children at this time.
IMD Illinois, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization, promoting positive models for men and boys in the State of Illinois, invites you to become a sponsor of this year's IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala and to help us award top prizes to the winning writers in the categories of poetry, essay, and short story.
International Men's Day is a global event supported by the United Nations and celebrated all over the world. The Illinois region, under the leadership of John D. Evans, is leading an aggressive campaign, including a statewide writing competition and an awards dinner and gala. In order to make this important effort a success, we need your help. Please consider becoming a donor or sponsor of International Men's Day - Illinois.
Sponsorship Levels
Donor - $1 up to $999.99
1) Name listed in IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala program (anonymous is an option)
General Sponsor - $1,000.00
1) Acknowledgment on the International Men's Day Website
2) Acknowledgment at the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala
3) 2 complimentary tickets to the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala with reserved space
Bronze Sponsor - $2,000.00
1) Acknowledgment on the International Men's Day Website
2) Acknowledgment at the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala
3) Acknowledgment on IMD Illinois, Inc. signage
4) 4 complimentary tickets to the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala with reserved space
Silver Sponsor - $3,000.00
1) Acknowledgment on the International Men's Day Website and logo link
2) Acknowledgment at the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala
3) Acknowledgment on IMD Illinois, Inc. signage
4) 6 complimentary tickets to the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala with reserved space
Gold Sponsor - $4,000.00
1) Acknowledgment on the International Men's Day Website and logo link
2) Acknowledgment at the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala
3) Acknowledgment on IMD Illinois, Inc. signage
4) 8 complimentary tickets to the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala with reserved space
5) Table space for your company literature in the registration area
Platinum Sponsor - $5,000.00 and above
1) Acknowledgment on the International Men's Day Website and logo link
2) Acknowledgment at the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala
3) Acknowledgment on IMD Illinois, Inc. signage
4) 10 complimentary tickets to the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala with reserved space
5) Table space for company literature in the registration area
6) Company representative to have remarks at the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala (2 mins.)
IMD Illinois, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization created to promote positive models for men and boys in the State of Illinois. The funds raised on behalf of this cause will go directly toward the expenses of coordinating and implementing the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition Awards Dinner & Gala and the awarding of prizes to be held on November 19, 2010 at a location to be determined. For more information contact John D. Evans at: IMDIllinois@aol.com
Congratulations to Roger C. Claar, Mayor of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Bolingbrook, Will and DuPage Counties, Illinois for proclaiming November 19, 2010 as International Men's Day (see Official Proclamation below). Mayors, Village Presidents, and Chambers of Commerce throughout the State of Illinois are encouraged to issue Proclamations designating November 19 as International Men's Day for immediate release and for sharing on this site.
Rails Marketing Group is one of Chicago’s leading nightlife promotion and event marketing companies specializing in urban alternative target marketing. Our mission is to create lasting memories and produce and promote the most innovative and enjoyable events Chicago has to offer. Offering three divisions; a nightlife division currently marketing and hosting numerous Chicago evenings, a corporate marketing and event planning division, and a catering company.
Rails Marketing Group has also had the pleasure of having some of the best guest DJ's in the nation spinning the latest tracks at their events. Including world famous disc jockeys Tedd Patterson; Ralphie Rosario; E-Smoove; (DJ SPEN) Spensane; Karizma and Ron Carroll. Hip-Hop’s DJ Sedrick, DJ Unknown, DJ Anton, DJ MK, DJ Fred Pierce and DJ Steve “Miggity” Maestro to name a few. Album release parties in collaboration with EMI/Virgin Records for the Jamita Jo project and Chingy's Balla Baby.
More info on this event to come soon. Stay tuned!
______________________________________________________________________________________
Chicago: International Men's Day event
Oak Park, Illinois - November 6, 2010 - IMD Illinois, Inc., a non-profit corporation created to promote positive models for men and boys in the State of Illinois and the regional arm of the global International Men's Day movement, will celebrate its first annual International Men's Day on Friday, November 19, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon at Rick's Munchies (3511 S. Martin Luther King Dr., Chicago). This regional celebration will include food, music, prizes, and more. A community event, International Men's Day at Rick's Munchies will be free and open to the public with donations welcome.
Mayors and Village Presidents throughout the State of Illinois support the core objectives of International Men's Day. "Our Regional Coordinator has contacted over 200 of the administrators of cities and villages throughout the state with the hope of Governor Quinn issuing an official Proclamation for the State of Illinois," says Larry S. Davis, IMD Regional Event Coordinator. Roger C. Claar, Mayor of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Bolingbrook, Will and DuPage Counties, Illinois, proclaims November 19, 2010 as International Men's Day in the Village of Bolingbrook and urges all citizens and businesses to take cognizance of this event and to fittingly join in its observance (International Men's Day Proclamation, 2010). Please be our special guest.
The core objectives of International Men's Day are to promote positive male role models, to celebrate men's positive contributions, to focus on men's health and well-being, to highlight discrimination against men, to improve gender relations, and to create a safer, better world. All residents and businesses of the State of Illinois are asked to celebrate International Men's Day in their own way and are invited to join IMD Illinois, Inc. at Rick's Munchies for lunch on Friday, November 19, 2010.
Bill Kable, Program Director at Dads on the Air (DOTA), a community-based radio program which focuses on parenting, family issues and men’s and boys’ issues, will interview John D. Evans, IMD Regional Coordinator for Illinois on Monday, 15 November at 6:15 PM. The 15-minute interview will be a lively discussion about the global and local IMD objectives and initiatives. Dads on the Air is the longest running program of its type in the world and has an international internet audience. More information can be found on the website www.dadsontheair.com.au. The program runs from 10.30-midday Sydney time each Tuesday.
