By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – It’s Black History Month, and Comptroller Susana Mendoza honored five Illinoisans who are helping others.
The Springfield honoree is Robert Frazier, whose charity is called Clean Slates Advocates, the Soap to Hope Challenge.
“The concept is simple,” Frazier said during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon in Mendoza’s Springfield office. “Anyone that is experiencing challenges with getting their laundry clean or can’t afford to wash or dry their laundry, CSA will provide an option for you to do it for free. Yes, absolutely free. The challenge aims to normalize the conversation around the importance of personal hygiene and break barriers to emphasizing that dignity through cleanliness is a universal right. Not a privilege”
Frazier and his wife own a Springfield laundromat.
Mendoza, lamenting that she can’t honor everybody who is deserving, said, “We take a lot of pride in knowing that Illinois has some of the most amazing people in this country. Obviously, our Black community is a treasure in our state. Frankly, this month is too short, right? I’m just going to say it. It’s the shortest month. It shouldn’t be.”
The other four honorees:
Shamika Madison
Boys and Girls Club of Decatur CEO
Mayor Rickey Williams Jr.
Mayor of Danville
Mayor Carolin Harvey
Mayor of Carbondale
Ed Hightower
Former Executive Director, Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation??
Former Superintendent Edwardsville Community School District?
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
