Roses and Ivy Ball: A Beautiful Night of Celebration

The Roses and Ivy Ball on November 1, 2025 at The Carlisle Banquets was truly a night to remember. Guests enjoyed an elegant evening of dinner, a four-hour open bar, live entertainment, and meaningful connection — all in celebration of excellence and community impact.

We were proud to award 12 outstanding students with 14 scholarships, honoring their academic achievement, commitment to service, and leadership potential. A special moment of the evening came when one of our scholarship recipients was able to attend in person and share the essay he submitted with his application. Hearing his story and goals reminded everyone in the room why supporting our students is so important.

We also celebrated an incredible group of honorees whose service continues to strengthen our communities:

Dr. Clinton Boyd Jr- Executive Director of Father’s Families and Healthy Communities and Researcher at Chapin Hall
Shatonya Johnson- Police Chief of Oak Park Police Department
Athena Williams- Executive Director of Oak Park Regional Housing Center
Rev. Cheryl L. Green – Ministerial Staff Associate at Cathedral of Grace St. John Church
Rev. Dr. James Brooks – CEO of Lawndale Christian Health Center and Senior Pastor at Harmony Community Church

In addition, a special recognition from our TREF President was presented to Congressman Danny Davis and TREF member Vera Davis.