Chief Keith Cross was born in Providence, Rhode Island and moved to Aurora, Illinois at the age of 7.  He has either lived, gone to school; or worked in Aurora for most of his life.      

He received his early education from the East Aurora Public School System (District 131).  After graduating from East Aurora High School, he attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.  After completing his 1^st year of college, he decided to change course with his major and transferred back home to attend Waubonsee Community College.  After receiving an Associate’s Degree from Waubonsee, Keith received a scholarship offer to play basketball at Bemidji (pronounced, Ba-mid-gee) State University in Minnesota.  Keith played for the Beavers for 3 years, before graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science.

After graduating from college, Keith worked as a Community Service Officer for the Carol Stream Police Department, before being hired as a Police Officer for the City of Milwaukee (WI.).  After working there for seven months, he left Milwaukee to accept an offer with the Aurora Police Department.

After joining the Aurora Police Department in April of 1994, Chief Cross served as a Patrolman, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Commander, Deputy Chief of Police & Chief of Police.  He has worked in Patrol, Community Policing, School Resource Officer, Special Operations Group, Central Services, Crisis Hostage Negotiator, Honor Guard, Investigative Deadly Force Team, Employee Review Board, Commendation Committee, Promotional Committee and several other areas of the department. Chief Cross graduated from the Executive Strategic Management, Senior Management Institute for Police (Boston University 2013) and the FBI National Academy (Quantico, Va. 2017).  He sat on the Executive Board of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Juvenile Protective Association of Aurora.  Chief Cross served as President of the Northern Illinois Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives for 12 years and he also served as President, Vice President & Past President for the Exchange Club of Aurora.  He retired in May of 2025 after serving the City of Aurora for over 31 years.    

Chief Cross is married to his wife of 28 years, Deanna Cross, and they have a 26-year old son, Devan that played football and graduated from Cornell University in 2022.  In his spare time, he enjoys sports, traveling and coaching.  Chief Cross credits God, his family, friends and several mentors with developing him into the person that he is today.      

Cassandra Allibalogun, LCPC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Cassandra Allibalogun, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor dedicated to helping people heal from traumatic and stressful life experiences. She partners with clients to build healthier self-perceptions and to think beyond limiting narratives, blending warmth, candor, and practical skills that foster lasting change.

Over the course of her career, Cassandra has served diverse populations across inpatient, outpatient, and specialized mental health settings–including children, at-risk and underserved adolescents, adults, and individuals living with chronic mental illness. She uses an integrative, culturally responsive approach grounded in evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Reality-Based Therapy (RBT).

In addition to her clinical work, Cassandra serves as the Sr. Corporate Director of Clinical Services, providing direct oversight across three states and more than 75 employees. In this role, she champions clinical excellence, staff development, and equitable access to quality behavioral health care.

Cassandra earned an MA in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University and a BS in Criminal Justice from Tennessee State University. She believes that meaningful care begins with sustainable self-care: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” True to that mantra, she nurtures her creativity as the force behind her customization business, Say It With Your Chest & More, LLC, and she recharges by exploring new cities, islands, and countries – hopefully one near you soon.

Kenny Battle is a celebrated basketball figure, community leader, and youth advocate whose career spans high school stardom, collegiate excellence, the NBA, and international play. In 1984, he led Aurora West High School to third place in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class AA state tournament, pacing all scorers with 86 points over four games. That same year, he earned McDonald’s All American and Parade All American honors, was runner-up for Illinois Mr. Basketball, and was named First Team All-State. In 2007, the IHSA recognized him as one of the “100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament.”

Battle began his collegiate career at Northern Illinois University (1984–1986), where his high-flying style earned him the nickname “King of the 360s” and he became the first NIU player to amass 1,000 career points. He then transferred to the University of Illinois, captaining the iconic 1989 “Flyin’ Illini” to the NCAA Final Four before falling to Michigan. A fan favorite for relentless hustle and spectacular dunks, he earned Honorable Mention All-America honors in 1988 and 1989, made Third-Team All–Big Ten in 1988 and Second Team in 1989, and still holds Illinois’s single-season steals record with 89 (1989). The Illini annually presents the Kenny Battle Inspirational Award to the player who demonstrates the most hustle.

Selected in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons (27th pick) and traded on draft day to the Phoenix Suns, Battle went on to play for the Suns, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets. He also competed internationally in Spain, Argentina, and the Philippines, and spent time in the CBA.

Today, Battle lives in Naperville, Illinois, with his wife of 28 years. An Ambassador of Goodwill with the Retired NBA Players Association (NBRPA), he also serves as a Youth Advocate Director and Director of Youth Camps. In 2005, he founded KB Hoops, a youth basketball organization through which he hosted camps and clinics across Illinois, partnering with the cities of Aurora and Joliet to run leagues and clinics for boys and girls. He continues to teach the game – serving as an assistant coach for his daughter’s high school team that finished as state runner-up in 2014 – and mentoring young people worldwide. In 2012, he traveled to Israel for a week as an Athlete Ambassador with the NBRPA and the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF). He previously coached at Kishwaukee College, served as Director of Sports at Camp Judea in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and co-founded “Game On” with Ireatha Jones in Chicago’s south suburbs to promote voter registration and COVID-19 awareness. Battle and his wife have six children (five sons and one daughter); son Keion plays football at Illinois, and daughter Ty is in her first year of professional basketball in London.

Mary Fultz is an Aurora-born community servant, cancer and stroke survivor, and a woman whose faith in God’s grace informs everything she does. Emerging from hardship with gratitude, she has committed her life to being a beacon for others—meeting people where they are, listening first, and responding with action. A mother of five, grandmother of thirteen, and great-grandmother of one, Mary is a proud 1983 graduate of East Aurora Tomcat School District 131 who has spent decades empowering neighbors and fostering growth across Aurora and beyond. She organizes large-scale community events, mentors youth, and uplifts local businesses, building bridges among residents, nonprofits, congregations, schools, and public agencies.

As CEO/President of the Community Advocacy Awareness Network (CAAN) for 28 years, Mary has led year-round outreach that includes food distributions, clothing and shoe drives, and holiday gift and meal initiatives. She helps coordinate essential services for the unhoused, seniors, veterans, and new mothers and babies, while assisting with job placements and serving as a youth mentorship director and community engagement organizer. A motivational speaker and diversity, equity, and inclusion program coordinator, she uses every platform available to advocate for families’ needs. Her passion for entrepreneurship led her to found Community Empowering Community (CEC), which offers free start-up guidance to small business owners and entrepreneurs, including help with certifications, licenses, and maintaining business credentials.

Mary’s professional path has always centered on people. From her work as a Program Monitor at the Aurora, IL Township Youth Center to her leadership at CAAN, she has consistently prioritized practical help and hope. She serves as a precinct committeeman in Aurora and a voter registrar in Kane County, Illinois. Known for investing her own resources to move projects forward, Mary has cultivated valued partnerships and collaborations with Interfaith Food Pantry, Hesed House Shelter, Marie Wilkerson Food Pantry, Northern Illinois Food Bank, DHL Corp, the Kane County Sheriff, City of Aurora Special Events, city officials and state representatives, the Prison Fellowship Ministry, Everytown Survivors Network, Serve Illinois Commissions, the Kane County Health Department, and numerous churches and other nonprofits.

Her community leadership extends to boards and councils, including the Quad County African American Heritage Advisory Board (2025), the African American Chamber of Commerce (2021–2025), Project Safe Aurora Violence Prevention Coalition (2024–present), and the Aetna Better Health Advisory Council (2012–2013). Mary’s service has earned wide recognition over the years, among them the Office of the Governor Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service Certificate of Appreciation for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Population Division 2); the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award (2022, 2023, 2024); AmeriCorps Community Service Certifications (2022–2024) and Completion Certificate (2021–2023); the City of Aurora Donna Williams Award (2021); City of Aurora Volunteerism and Special Recognition awards; the Mayor’s Most Award (2019); Citizen Police Academy Class #49 (2020/2021); Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Program Facilitator honors (2022–2024); Limerick Communications Community Spotlight Award (2019); Shared Communities Values and Excellence Award (2019); Aurora Times Community Awards (2018–2019); Universal Life Church Ordained Minister (2018); DuPage Toys for Tots Award (2011); and earlier acknowledgments including the Beacon News “Stand her Ground” feature (2005) and the Collier Youth Center certificate, alongside several recommendations from state and city officials, clergy, and business owners.

Mary is also a tireless arts promoter. By hosting showcases for local artists, poets, musicians, DJs, and performers, she uses culture to connect people across generations and backgrounds, strengthening community bonds while spotlighting hometown talent. 

Attorney, Geneva L. Penson, is a sole practitioner at the Law Office of Geneva L. Penson. Since starting her practice in 2011, she has concentrated on the defense of criminal cases at trial, appellate, state post-conviction, and federal habeas corpus levels. Geneva also represents victims of police brutality and other civil rights violations in suits for money damages. She has argued and won appeals in both the Appellate

Court of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Geneva formerly worked as a Staff Attorney with the Post Conviction Unit of the Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender (“OSAD”). There, her practice concentrated on presenting claims, including wrongful conviction or sentencing, for indigent prisoners who were sentenced to death. Before joining the Post Conviction Unit, Geneva worked as a criminal defense lawyer for a number of years at OSAD’s Chicago-based appellate division and the Law Office of the Public Defender for Cook County, Illinois.

Geneva is a graduate of East Aurora High School and has a B.A. in Political Science from Aurora University, both of which are in Aurora, Illinois. She received her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2001 and has practiced law since November of 2001.

Geneva lives in Aurora, Illinois. She is a member of the Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ.

Servant George Rayford is a man after God’s own heart and with the character of a humble servant, he prefers to be called just that. Born: 2/13/1947 in Byhalia Mississippi to Henry and Freddie Rayford. He is one of 18 siblings. Twelve boys and 6 girls. At the age of 12, he confessed his life to Christ on the “mourning bench” at Union Valley Missionary Baptist Church. Servant grew up working on a farm and by the age of 14 he had moved to Memphis Tennessee. In 1970 at the age of 23, he moved to Aurora, Illinois and began working at Moline Operations. He worked his way up to being Union President and served in that capacity for 11 ½ years. Servant Rayford joined Progressive Baptist and sang in the choir. On August 4, 1977, he was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of the late Pastor Robert Wesby. He served as a Deacon for over 15 years. In preparation for furthering his leadership role, Servant Rayford began a hospital ministry. Often known in the community as “fish man George”, he continues to build that ministry while reeling in the lost by being an example of Christ. In April of 1992 under the leadership of Pastor Roy Brown, Servant was blessed to receive his Preacher license.

God in His infinite wisdom strategically prepared Servant Rayford for such a time as this. In March of 1997, Reverend Isaiah Malone having been led by the spirit, approached Servant to become the under shepherd of New Community Baptist Church.  After much prayer, and encouragement by his own pastor, Reverend Brown of Progressive Baptist Church he humbly accepted the call to become Pastor of New Community Baptist Church in March of 1998. During his tenure he has had a hand in building the congregation to over 200 faithful members. Under his leadership he has ordained twelve Deacons and three Ministers. Several ministries have been birthed since that wonderful day in March.

New Community Baptist church was built in 1930 by Trinity Lutheran Church. It was designed and built to have an upper level sanctuary but was never finished. Being led by the Holy Spirit, in 2002, Servant Rayford encouraged the congregation to support the building of the upper-level sanctuary. In 2003, construction began and by November 21, 2004 the first service was held in the new sanctuary. On February 9^th 2020, New Community held a Mortgage Burning Ceremony. Yet one more display of his infinite wisdom and guidance.

Servant Rayford served as a leader in the Ministerial Alliance, an Aurora based organization of ministers in the Fox Valley area. He served as President for three terms. As President, he started the College Scholarship Fund which has grown to be able to present three young students with a $500 – $1,000 scholarship. He is also a member of the Masonic “Keystone” Lodge #15. Servant Rayford is a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, and a devoted husband to our beautiful First Lady Sister Ruby Rayford. Servant Rayford has fully committed his heart and life to Jesus Christ. As God leads him, he is determined to be an awesome display of what God can do through consistent commitment, courage and a life of continuous prayer.

Bio unavailable.

Ms. Betty J. Washington is a lifelong resident of the Lockport and Joliet areas.  She is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Education: Graduate of Lockport Township H.S., attended Joliet Jr. College, Alverno College for Women, Milwaukee, WI; University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL and Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA.

• ~Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management – USF
• ~Master of Science Degree in Training and Development: Concentration on Adult Learners – USF
• ~Certificate of Completion in Community Development and Leadership Training – Harvard Divinity School
• ~Member of the Delta Epsilon Sigma National Scholastic Honor Society

Employment: Betty retired as a Family Resources Supervisor at Illinois Action for Children, Chicago, IL May 2018. She retired from AT&T formerly Illinois Bell Telephone/Ameritech after 30 years of service.  Ms. Washington began her career at Illinois Bell Telephone and held many different positions, which included Network Administration Manager, Central Office Equipment Engineer and Special Networks Planning/Budget Manager.  After retirement Ms. Washington worked as a substitute teacher at various Joliet schools.

Community Involvement: Ms. Washington is very active in the Joliet Community.  Betty currently serves as a Township Trustee for Joliet Township government.  She is the co-founder and secretary for the Fairmont Forward Community Development Corporation.  She is the past president of the NAACP Joliet Branch and is a lifetime member. She serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Silver Cross Hospital Healthy Community Commission Board of Directors, a former member of the Joliet Jr. College Trustee Board and served as a case manager for Fairmont Community Partnership Group, Inc.  She is an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and serves on their Board of Directors, a Precinct Committee person for Joliet City Precinct 8 and a Deputy Registrar for Will County  

Ms. Washington is the recipient of many Community Service Awards from different organizations.  She was a cofounder along with members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity of Joliet Community Action Network (JCAN) Male Mentoring Program.  She was also a founding member of the African American Business Association. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and has a zeal for helping others.

Jamal Williams has served as 2nd Ward Alderman for the City of Plano Illinois since 2017. Alderman Williams is committed to providing equal opportunities for all of Plano residents, improving communication and transparency, as well as promoting economic growth and development in the community that he serves. 

Jamal Williams made history in 2017 when he became the first African-American to become Alderman in the City of Plano, Illinois. He also made history when he fought, and got legislation pass, for the city to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday. This was prior to the state and/or the Federal level decided to do so.

In addition to his work of increasing the number of recognized city holidays, Jamal Williams also supported a 10.1% raise (6% in 2022 and 4.1% in 2023) over a two-year period for the city workers. This is the largest pay increase in history to date. Jamal created numerous community-oriented events aimed to bring the community together like his annual Turkey Bowl, lunch/dinner with neighbors, and Juneteenth Celebration to name a few.

 Jamal Williams, a graduate of Proviso West High School, went on to serve his country in the U.S Army. Its was there, at Fort Leonardwood in Missouri, where he received his basic and advanced individual training (MOS 62J construction engineer). After he received an Honorable Discharge, Jamal Williams went on Triton College, where he studied and mastered Respiratory Therapy. With 30+ years of healthcare experience (6yrs in Managerial/Director leadership) Jamal continues to practice respiratory therapy and mentor others about their important roles as a Healthcare professional and the ever-changing world of healthcare.

 Jamal Williams is the proud father of three handsome young men and one beautiful daughter and lives with his Queen Kathryn in Plano, Illinois.

Tahj Williams is an entrepreneur, community builder, and creative strategist dedicated to uplifting local businesses and telling the stories that bring people together. As the Market Leader for Aurora Buzz, Tahj has generated hyper-local Buzz within the community spotlighting small businesses, local events, and cultural initiatives, reaching hundreds of thousands of residents across the Fox Valley each month.

Beyond Aurora Buzz, Tahj is also the visionary behind Ajani & Co., a creator-focused agency that connects influencers and businesses through authentic collaborations, and Ajani Sound Lab, a program designed to inspire and equip young artists with the tools to explore music and creativity.

With a background in marketing, media production, and community engagement, Tahj has built a reputation for using storytelling to drive growth and impact. Inspired by a passion for seeing local businesses succeed and sparked by his own family’s entrepreneurial journey, he continues to invest his time and creativity into projects that empower others.

Today, Tahj is recognized not only for his business achievements but also for his commitment to building stronger, more connected communities.

Dr. Julian Wright is a highly accomplished African American entrepreneur, actor, philanthropist, TV talk show host, and motivational speaker based in Chicagoland, recognized internationally for his work including features on award shows, radio, television, and collaborations with government officials. A proud PhD holder in Business Administration, he owns JW Enterprise Limo & Transportation and produces the “Dr. Julian Wright Show” on Hulu and PBS.

He was Inspired by his grandmother, the late Merri Dee, a renowned journalist, philanthropist and television star. Dee was best known for her work as an anchor/reporter at Chicago

television station and national cable superstation WGN-TV. Dr. Julian emphasizes community engagement and education, recently gaining prominence with his Vogue feature titled “Climbing The Steps of Success” in September 2024. His charismatic personality, infectious laughter, and humor make him a beloved figure, inspiring followers worldwide, and he is soon to launch The J. Wright Collection, a stylish men’s clothing line showcasing contemporary, eye-catching dress wear.

Dr. Wright has dedicated himself to extensive charitable work, focusing on fundraising efforts for the homeless and victims of domestic violence. However, his most passionate endeavor is advocating for Illinois orphans. Through community events and fundraisers, Dr. Wright has brought significant attention to the challenges faced by orphans, striving to increase the number of children who receive mentorship each year.

In recognition of her impactful work, Illinois Mayor Steven Streit of Lockport commended Dr. Wright in 2020 for his remarkable achievements. Under his leadership, the number of funds and helping hands dedicated to mentorship for youth in the state increased by over 50 percent. Additionally, Dr. Wright is a strong advocate for education, believing that access to quality education is essential for empowering the next generation. His commitment to these causes continues to inspire many in the community and beyond.