On December 4th , 2014, the Niagara Foundation celebrated its 10th Year Anniversary at the Hilton Grand Ballroom in downtown Chicago. This year’s dinner coincided Niagara’s annual Peace and Dialogue Awards under the theme of Peace, Friendship and Conviction. Over 750 people attended the gala, including public officials, community activists and religious leaders. The purpose of the dinner was to honor and acknowledge the growth and success of the Niagara Foundation through the years.
Among the distinguished guests were Budd-Friend Jones, Senior Minister at the First Congressional Church of Crystal Lake in Illinois; Susana Mendoza, City Clerk of Chicago; Dr. Scott Alexander, Director of the Catholic-Muslim Studies Program at Catholic Theological Union; Dirk Ficca, Former Executive Director of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions (CPWR); and Azam Nizamuddin, Lawyer at Azam Nizamuddin P.C.
Kate Maehr, Executive Director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository shed light on issue of hunger in city and reminded the audience of other challenges faced by numerous communities across the country. Later in the evening, the audience was entertained with an electrifying violin performance by Karim al Zahabi, a seven year-old pianist and a brief testimonial by Jack Harrington, an eighteen year old high school student who felt inspired by the Niagara Foundation.
Sunil Kumar, Dean at University of Chicago Booth School of Business received the “Global Vision Award”; Tom Kuczmasrski received the “Chicago innovation Award” and Kate Maehr, Greater Chicago Food Depository was awarded the “Niagara Community Award”.
