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In celebration of Black History Month, San Miguel Schools Chicago hosted some of Chicago's most prominent African American professionals to speak to students at the Gary Comer Campus on Wednesday, February 16.  Captain Bill Pinkney, the first African American man to sail solo around the world, delivered the keynote speech and an outstanding performance by the South Shore Drill Team closed the event.

Check out photos from the event on our Flickr page!

This diverse group of successful professionals gathered in classrooms to speak to the students about their career and academic background.  The stories and words of these role models served to inspire the San Miguel students to believe in themselves, to see examples of successful African Americans, and to help them recognize what they can achieve with hard work and dedication.

After the in-classroom presentations, the school gathered in the gym where Rufus Williams, President and CEO of Olympus, LLC gave the students some advice, "Nothing is more important than education," crediting his success on his pursuit of knowledge and dedication to school.

Captain Bill Pinkney then took to the podium, delivering a speech that detailed his incredible 22 months at sea sailing around the world, and the things he learned during his journey.

"Getting knocked down is not failure," Captain Pinkney said.  "Your education, and your moral compass is your weight, and like the weight of a boat that gets knocked down by waves, it will help you get back up."

As Captain Pinkney reflected on his childhood raised by a single parent on welfare, and as a black man during segregation, he advised the students that "It doesn't matter where you come from.  What matters is where you go and what you do when you get there."

The students truly could relate to the words of Captain Pinkney as they too must deal with the struggles of their environment, where gangs and drugs are often a part of daily life.  94% of these students qualify for the government's free and reduced lunch program.

The South Shore Drill Team closed the event with several amazing performances, including one to Maya Angelou's, "Phenomenal Woman" as well as a remake of Michael Jackson's, "Thriller."

Our notable list of presenters included:

• Jerry Azumah, Former Chicago Bear and Founder, ASAP Foundation
• Dr. Kimbra Bell, Physician and Professor, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Chief Ernie Brown, Organized Crime Bureau, Chicago Police Department
• Commander Walter Green, 15th Police District
• Micaeh Johnson, Director, MNJ Public Relations/108 Creative Group/ASAP Foundation
• Walter Green, Commander of the 15th Police District, Chicago Police Department
• Verett Mims, Assistant Treasurer, Boeing
• Heather Mitchell, Public Affairs, Capri Capital
• Alderman Emma Mitts, Alderman, 15th Ward
• Rudy and Joyce Nimocks, Director, Community Partnership, University of Chicago
• Prof. Charles Payne, Professor, University of Chicago
• Judith Rice, Vice President, Director of Government Relations, Harris Bank
• Donna Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Access Health Care
• Sgt. Glenn White, 15th Police District
• Rufus Williams, President and CEO, Olympus, LLC
• Deputy Chief Alfonza Wysinger, Detective Division, Chicago Police Department