Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) was the keynote speaker at Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Black History Month Celebration, which was held in the Illinois State Capitol rotunda. Lightford shared a message of support and honor for organizations and activists that have uplifted the Black community throughout history.

Leader Lightford spoke of the legacies of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Black Panther Party and the Black Lives Matter Movement, all organizations that were established as defense mechanisms against injustices faced by African Americans in this county.

As the Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Lightford leads unapologetically in continuing the legacy of the caucus’ founding members set forth in 1967 to ensure equity, prosperity and representation of African-Americans throughout Illinois.