Ephraim Martin, Chair of the Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition and President of Martin's International delivered welcome remarks to kick off the event and thanked all of the volunteers and supporters for bringing the renaming of Lake Shore Drive to Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive to a reality. He gave special appreciation and thanks to Alderman David L. Moore (17th), Alderman Sophia King (4th), for sponsoring the renaming LSD ordinance and played pivotal roles in ensuring that our voices were heard. Also, to Alderman Howard Brookins (21st), Chair of the Transportation and Public Way Committee, and to Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and other members of the city council,for their strong support. He, also, gave thanks to Mayor Lori L. Lightfoot for proposing more funding to bring more recognition to Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, the Caribbean man from the country of Haiti and founding father of Chicago.
Black Heroes Matter celebrated with 20,000 cyclists on the newly renamed Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive at the Fifth Third Bank, sponsored Bike the Drive. Mr. Larry Mogensen, Fifth Third Bank, Sr. Vice President. also brought greetings. Ms. Clare McDermott, Director of Marketing and Special Events, and Ms. Amy Rynell of Active Transportation Alliance also spoke to open and kick-off the 30- mile event. Ms. Valerie Hill, Communications Chair for the BHM, participated in the ride on behalf of the organization.
The Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition, powered by Martin's International, teamed up with Active Transportation Alliance to participate in the annual Fifth Third Bike the Drive on Sunday, September 5, 2021.
The family-friendly event drew over 20,000 cyclists from all over the country to ride car-free along the scenic 30-mile loop along the south and north lake shoreline. It is the largest event to take place since the Chicago City Council voted to rename the drive to Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive on June 25, 2021.
Fifth Third Bank, Bike the Drive is an annual fundraiser for Active Transportation Alliance, is a non-profit advocacy organization working to improve conditions for walking, biking, and public transit throughout Chicagoland.
Martin had a victory celebration at the International Festival of Life/Jerk, Seafood and Vegan Festival on September 11, 2021, in Washington Park at the DuSable Museum of African American History Sunken garden - 55th and South Cottage Grove. Visit https://www.jsvfest.com/.
Watch on YouTube: Ephraim Martin giving remarks for the DuSable Lake Shore Drive, bike the Drive
