Illinois is a colorful collection of communities reflecting the diversity of our great nation. It’s one of our greatest strengths. Throughout the year, Treasurer Frerichs celebrates Illinois' diverse identity through a series of heritage month celebrations. During each month, the Treasurer and his advisory councils collect nominations and select awardees who are invested in giving back to their communities. In 2021, the Treasurer's began capturing video conversations with each awardee in efforts to broadcast their story on social media. Our goal is to amplify and inspire tomorrow's leaders with words of inspiration from today's.
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2021
Outstanding Service in Arts & Humanity
Moki Tantoco
Outstanding Service in Business
Patty Neumson
Outstanding Commitment in Education
Sendhil Revuluri
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Laura Zeng
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
State Senator Ram Villivalam
Outstanding Commitment in Community Service
Kyungnan Yu
Outstanding Commitment in Leadership
Dr. Raj Govindaiah
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH 2021
Outstanding Service in Arts & Humanity
Marlena Ascher
Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official
State Representative Deb Conroy
Outstanding Commitment in Community Service
Karen Tamley, President and CEO of Access Living
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Jonelle McCloud, Manager, Peoria Procter Recreational Center
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
Doris Carroll, Past President of the Illinois Nurses' Association, Vice President affiliate of the IL AFL-CIO, and delegate with the Chicago Federation of Labor
Outstanding Commitment in Leadership
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2021
Outstanding Service in Business
Max Russell: Russell Heating & Air LLC
Outstanding Service in Arts and Humanity
Kathryn Harris
Outstanding Service in Leadership
Leslie J. Anderson: BMO Harris Bank
Outstanding Commitment in Education
Dr. Sharon Desmoulin Kherat
Outstanding Achievement in Workforce and Labor
George Alexander: LIUNA Laborer's Local 477
Outstanding Commitment in Community Service
Carlos Nelson: Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
Outstanding Commitment as Elected Official
Senator Jacqueline Collins
Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship
Darrin Jackson: Chicago White Sox