Steven Whitehurst
Encyclopedia
Steven Whitehurst is an African American
author
, poet
, and educator. He is a divorced father who currently resides in Calumet City, Illinois
.
of Chicago, Illinois; where he was raised by his mother Oneda Fondren, and grandmother Sarah Fondren. When he was young his mother married and her name became Oneda Whitehurst. Steven was adopted by the groom and his last name was also changed to Whitehurst. At this time he moved to, and subsequently grew up in, Harvey, Illinois
. After graduating from Thornton Township High School
in 1984, Steven attended Southern Illinois University
at Carbondale where he was a U.S. Air Force
ROTC student. He moved on to become a double degree high honors graduate of Thornton Community College --now South Suburban College
-- with degrees in history and geography. While there Steven was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa
Honor Fraternity. He then graduated Cum Laude from Chicago State University
with a B.A. in history and a minor in political science
. Steven later returned to Chicago State University
to pursue additional educational credits in the history/ethnic studies graduate degree program.
After college he worked for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
as an Investigator. In 1991, Steven returned to his alma mater -- South Suburban College
-- as the Academic Skills/Transition Advisor for the Student Support Services TRIO Grant Program. In 1994, Steven was promoted to an administrative post as the college's Director of Student Development, where he initiated, developed, and oversaw the school's first transfer articulation agreement with a historically Black college/university - Wilberforce University
. In the position of Director of Student Development he managed seven departments, both in academic and student support areas -- including the Student Support Services Grant Program that he'd previously worked for. In 1996, Steven was forced to retire due to health issues.
Steven is the author of the highly acclaimed book "Words From An Unchained Mind" and contributed to "Rodney King And The L.A. Rebellion: Analysis & Commentary By 13 Independent Black Writers." Steven was also among those featured on the nationally televised program "Heroes: A Triumph Of Spirit, Vol.4," which highlighted positive individuals in the African American community. His book and movie reviews have appeared in numerous publications.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, and educator. He is a divorced father who currently resides in Calumet City, Illinois
Calumet City, Illinois
Calumet City is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 39,072 at the 2000 census. The ZIP code is 60409.Calumet City was founded in 1892 when the villages of Schrumville and Sobieski Park merged under the name of West Hammond, since it lies on the west side of the...
.
Biography
Steven was born Steven Fondren into a single-parent family on the South SideSouth Side (Chicago)
The South Side is a major part of the City of Chicago, which is located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Much of it has evolved from the city's incorporation of independent townships, such as Hyde Park Township which voted along with several other townships to be annexed in the June 29,...
of Chicago, Illinois; where he was raised by his mother Oneda Fondren, and grandmother Sarah Fondren. When he was young his mother married and her name became Oneda Whitehurst. Steven was adopted by the groom and his last name was also changed to Whitehurst. At this time he moved to, and subsequently grew up in, Harvey, Illinois
Harvey, Illinois
Harvey is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, near Chicago. The population was 30,000 at the 2000 census.Harvey is bordered by Dixmoor, Riverdale and Blue Island to the north, Posen and Markham to the west, South Holland, Phoenix, and Dolton to the east, and East Hazel Crest to the...
. After graduating from Thornton Township High School
Thornton Township High School
Thornton Township High School, often simply referred to as Thornton is a public high school founded in 1899. The school is located in Harvey, Illinois one of the south suburbs of the city of Chicago, Illinois. The school is one of three schools administered by Thornton Township High Schools...
in 1984, Steven attended Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
at Carbondale where he was a U.S. Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
ROTC student. He moved on to become a double degree high honors graduate of Thornton Community College --now South Suburban College
South Suburban College
South Suburban College is a community college located in the south suburbs of Chicago serving the Chicago Southland. The main campus is situated in South Holland, Illinois with a second campus called the University and College Center in Oak Forest, Illinois...
-- with degrees in history and geography. While there Steven was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa, also ΦΘΚ or sometimes PTK , is the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs, particularly community colleges and junior colleges. It also includes Associate's degree-granting programs offered by four-year colleges...
Honor Fraternity. He then graduated Cum Laude from Chicago State University
Chicago State University
Chicago State University is a state university of the U.S. state of Illinois, located in Chicago.-History:Cook County Normal School was founded in 1867, largely through the initiative of John F. Eberhart, the Commissioner of Schools for Cook County...
with a B.A. in history and a minor in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. Steven later returned to Chicago State University
Chicago State University
Chicago State University is a state university of the U.S. state of Illinois, located in Chicago.-History:Cook County Normal School was founded in 1867, largely through the initiative of John F. Eberhart, the Commissioner of Schools for Cook County...
to pursue additional educational credits in the history/ethnic studies graduate degree program.
After college he worked for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is an independent federal law enforcement agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC investigates discrimination complaints based on an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, perceived intelligence,...
as an Investigator. In 1991, Steven returned to his alma mater -- South Suburban College
South Suburban College
South Suburban College is a community college located in the south suburbs of Chicago serving the Chicago Southland. The main campus is situated in South Holland, Illinois with a second campus called the University and College Center in Oak Forest, Illinois...
-- as the Academic Skills/Transition Advisor for the Student Support Services TRIO Grant Program. In 1994, Steven was promoted to an administrative post as the college's Director of Student Development, where he initiated, developed, and oversaw the school's first transfer articulation agreement with a historically Black college/university - Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University is a private, coed, liberal arts historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans...
. In the position of Director of Student Development he managed seven departments, both in academic and student support areas -- including the Student Support Services Grant Program that he'd previously worked for. In 1996, Steven was forced to retire due to health issues.
Steven is the author of the highly acclaimed book "Words From An Unchained Mind" and contributed to "Rodney King And The L.A. Rebellion: Analysis & Commentary By 13 Independent Black Writers." Steven was also among those featured on the nationally televised program "Heroes: A Triumph Of Spirit, Vol.4," which highlighted positive individuals in the African American community. His book and movie reviews have appeared in numerous publications.
Awards
- New Scriblerus Society Creative Excellence Award
- Afrique Newsmagazine 1994 Malcolm X Award for Self-Actualization
- 1995 Hero Award
- Listed in "Who's Who Among African Americans"
Books
- Words From An Unchained Mind (United Brothers & Sisters Communications Systems, 1991. ISBN 1-56411-014-1)
- Rodney King And The L.A. Rebellion: Analysis & Commentary By 13 Independent Black Writers (United Brothers & Sisters Communications Systems, 1992. ISBN 1-56411-036-2)
Reviews
- The FBI's War On Black America Documentary By Denis Mueller and Deb Ellis (MPI Home Video, ISBN 1-55607-982-6) - Reviewed in "The National Newport News & Commentator," July/August 1992.
- My Life With The Black Panther PartyBlack Panther PartyThe Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
By Akua Njeri (Burning Spear Publications) - Reviewed in the "South Suburban Standard" Newspaper, January 9, 1992. - Culture of Violence: The Foundation of White America On Slavery and Genocide By Penny Hess (Burning Spear Publications) - Reviewed in the "Multicultural Publishers Exchange," January/February 1993.
- The Last Speeches of Huey P. NewtonHuey P. NewtonHuey Percy Newton was an American political and urban activist who, along with Bobby Seale, co-founded the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.-Early life:...
Presentations By Omali YeshitelaOmali YeshitelaOmali Yeshitela the founder of the Uhuru Movement a left wing, African Internationalist organization based in St...
(Burning Spear Publications) - Reviewed in the "Multicultural Publishers Exchange," January/February 1993.