The Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board will be host to the 17th annual African American Heritage Scholarship Dinner Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at Belle Salle Banquets, 1920 E. New York Street.
During the dinner, the Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board will:
• Induct the 2023 Class of Cowherd Scholars and award these college-bound high school seniors scholarships to pursue their postsecondary education aspirations! They are not just leaders of the future; they are young emerging leaders of now.
• Salute the 2023 Leader of the Year, Dr. Jennifer Norrell, the Superintendent of East Aurora School District 131, who has led the transformative changes happening in the State’s first public school district, including a 17% increase in the high school graduation rate.
• Present the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award to an Aurora icon, Servant George Rayford. He has served as a faith leader in Aurora for more than 40 years, including more than 25 years as the leader of New Community Baptist Church. For decades, he was known because “the fish man” as he fed Aurora families physically. Now, he feeds our families spiritually.
• Highlight Additional Community Advocates, Businesses, and Initiatives while having a wonderful evening of food, music, and more, all while raising funds for scholarships for our youth!
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at the sites online at www.aurora-il.org/HeritageDinner, via E-mail at MyAurora@aurora-il.org., or by phone at 630.256.3368.
—City of Aurora government