2023's FEATURED GUEST SPEAKERS & PERFORMERS
Rodney Katushabe is a young entrepreneur, motivator and passionate speaker. Rodney recently graduated from McHenry County College where he earned an Associate of Arts degree within a period of less than one year while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He was also involved in student organizations at the college including Black Student Union, Speech and Debate team and Phi Theta Kappa. He was honored with being the commencement speaker for the Spring 2023 commencement ceremony at McHenry County College. He further received 8 awards including the Academic Scholarship award, the Student Leadership Recognition through the MCC and Me program as well as other awards and recognitions through speech and Spanish departments, making him MCC’s top Award Recipient. Rodney also volunteers as the assistant treasurer for a non-for-profit organization called Ugandan Community in Illinois, an organization that brings together Ugandans living in Illinois and the US at large to create a home away from home as well as send assistance to those in need back in Uganda. He plans to continue his education at Northeastern Illinois University majoring in business management and accounting.
Darlene Benton has been singing since the age of 4 years old. Her roots have taken her to gospel and jazz. She has sung throughout the Chicagoland area at such notable venues as the Auditorium Theatre, the House of Blues, the Chicago Hilton, and the Hemmens Culture Center. While her vocals have been requested by such iconic gospel artists as Albertina Walker, her true love is leading and ministering to the hearts and souls of people through praise and worship. Currently, she is working on her own material as a gifted songwriter.
Rodney Katushabe
Darlene Benton
Pastor Norval Brown
Pastor Norval Brown’s education includes a BA from The University of Chicago, Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary. He holds a certificate in spiritual direction from The Claret Center in Chicago and has been involved in The Academy for Spiritual Formation (a two-year program of The Upper Room) as a participant, faculty presenter and member of the leadership team. Pastor Brown is an oblate at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Peoria, IL and he serves on various board and agencies of the church and community. He brings gifts in spiritual formation to the Church as he is called to lead retreats, revivals, and individual spiritual direction. He currently is the lead pastor of Cary United Methodist Church.
Ken Davis
Ken Davis Project is a Soul/R&B band from Chicago. We are very excited to have them on this historic day.