CABRINI GREEN THE FEATURE FILM
Donation protected
Greetings to Family, Friends, Movie goers, and People around the world that believe in ideas and dreams,
My name is Ron Simmons from Chicago, IL. I'm a writer/producer and filmmaker who has been writing, researching and developing a script to make a feature film. I have been working on this well over 15 years now and funding this project with my own personal money, time and creative skills to get this done. I know with your help, we can make this happen a lot faster. Real stories by real people!
This film will give you a true story of stories and enlighten everyone on how families grew up in public housing with myths and the lies that over shadowed communities. These communities were enslaved by the systems of political gains and the power of the systems. These are true stories of power and how people were kept out of the American dream, locking many into a system of no hope. Only those who didn't believe the propaganda made it out and worked toward a better life for themselves and families. These people would later become teachers, principals, social workers, police officers, lawyers, famous entertainers, and famous actors, start their own businesses, hold political office, and etc. So many great families came out of "Cabrini Green" as well as many other housing projects around the world that we never hear anything about.
75% white and 25% black from 1942 to 1967 as more blacks moved in, more whites would move out. By the late 1960’s to early 1970’s Cabrini was almost 100% black. At one time they called Cabrini “Little Sicily” and would have Italian feasts every year running down Division, Larrabee and Oak Street. Everyone got along and helped each other at different times. To this day, I still have white friends from back then.
It was a nice place to raise kids. Kids always had something to do that involved sports, music, after school programs, centers, quarter parties, waistline parties, club sets, tournaments, trips, block clubs, summer jobs, year around jobs, and educational programs. Most of the families there were run by a single parent, but some did have 2 parents in the household. Most parents set a strong foundation and told their children that education was the key to a better life.
I have traveled the world and a lot of places I’ve visited, people knew of "Cabrini Green" housing projects here in Chicago. However, they never had good things to say about a place I knew wasn't a hell hole to reside in. I knew this, because I lived there with many others. Don't get me wrong, bad things did happen there but bad things happen everywhere and worse than "Cabrini Green". "Cabrini Green" was in the media's eye all the time, because of the powers that be which included the mayor, special interest and the government. They wanted dominion over these 70 acres of prime real estate and came up with a plan to take the area down and make it unlivable. So it began... This will not be your typical ghetto/hood film.
I am coming to you the real world asking you to help me make this a reality. A product that can live on forever as a classic. I'm asking you to help me reach my starting goal of $1 million dollars or more in donations for this project.
A monthly donation of any size will be greatly appreciated, until we reach our goal. We can only accomplish this with your support and dedication.
1. I WOULD LIKE TO RAISE $1 MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE TO CONTINUE ON GETTING THE SCRIPT COMPLETED AND START PRODUCTION.
2. INVESTMENT BROKERS/INVESTORS/EQUITY INVESTORS/CROWDFUNDING/FILMFUNDING WILL BE INVOLVED AS WELL AS RON SIMMONS DOING HIS PART IN RAISING FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT.
3. 4 TO 6 FAMOUS ACTORS ON THE PROJECT WILL BE CAST / I will get the great opportunity to work with some of these amazing actors and actresses; Keke Palmer, Larenz Tate, William L. Johnson, Joseph Sikora, Harry Lennix, Cory Hardrict, Richard Lawson, Ruben Blades, Noamie Harris, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Cynda Williams, Jackie Taylor, Marcia Wright, Tony Todd, Mary Alice, Trisha L. Mann-Grant, Sheree Bynum, and Rick Stone, etc.
4. WE WILL BE CASTING FORMER AND PRESENT RESIDENTS OF CABRINI GREEN INTO THE FILM
5. A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR FORMER AND PRESENT RESIDENTS OF CABRINI GREEN FOR THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN.
6. WE WILL BE SHOOTING THE FEATURE FILM IN CHICAGO / The goal of "Cabrini Green" is to tell stories that appeal to a vast audience. The advantage of the production is that it is a “human interest story,” set in a real economic climate and tells stories of a time frame of 1957 to 1985. As an independent movie, "Cabrini Green" also provides direct communication with the audience about people’s struggles, faith-¬‐based living, the real down fall of "Cabrini Green" housing projects, and the urban struggles of a black, rich community that many loved. Although it is an independent production, the producers expect to recruit actors, talent and notable names in theatre and film (for key roles). The soundtrack will be composed of famous Chicago recording artists and will play a very important part of bringing this feature film to life.
"Cabrini Green" has been labeled as the most notorious housing project in the world, but the world will finally discover the truth of who was really notorious. The powers that be or the people who lived there?
7. THE TIME PERIOD OF THE FEATURE FILM WILL BE FROM THE YEARS 1957 TO 1985.
8. THE SOUND TRACK OF THE FILM WILL BE OF FAMOUS CHICAGO ARTISTS WE WILL BE LICENSING MUSIC SOME OF THESE ARTISTS / Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, Ramsey Lewis, The Admirations, The Five Stairsteps, The Artistics, Patti Drew, Quincy Jones, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Donny Hathaway, Jackie Wilson, The Staple Singers, Walter Jackson, The Dells, Gene Chandler, Minnie Riperton, The Emotions, The Chi-Lites, Magnum Force, Heaven & Earth, Ruby Andrews, Gavin Christopher, Tyrone Davis, Lou Rawls, The Steelers, The Players, Brighter Side of Darkness, Son of Slums, 21st Century, The Lost Generation, The Notations, Earth Wind & Fire, Johnnie Taylor, Ko Ko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Miki Howard, Otis Clay, Chicago, Charles Earland, Barbara Acklin, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Mannaquins, Masterplan, Sneak Preview, and MzLeeLee!
9. WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE FAMOUS DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS FOR THE FILM / Directors: Will Packer, George Tillman Jr., & Robert Teitel, F. Gary Gray, John Singleton, Antonio Fuqua, Spike Lee, Jamal Hill, Barry Michael Cooper or Robert Townsend.
10. THESE ARE THE SITCOM AND MOVIES SHOT IN CABRINI GREEN OR USED AS A SCENE IN A MOVIE / Good Times, Cooley High, Candyman, Heaven is a playground, White boyz, Down in the Delta, Green Lantern, and Boss Starz series.
"CABRINI GREEN" The Soul Story of Stories
“A Thrilling Drama that will Blow you Away”
“A Deeply Compelling Story of Survival and Truth”
“Brilliantly Complex Untold Stories”
A film by Ron Simmons
That summer of 2003 at Seward Park Old School Monday evening at 6PM
That summer a spontaneous reunion spurred a series of gigantic street parties for people who called the projects home. No plans, no permits, no problems.
In the summer of 2003, Lou Carter and Lawrence Green decided to organize a little reunion in Seward Park of friends he’d grown up with, in nearby Cabrini Green. They joked that they had to hurry because the neighborhood was changing so fast they might not be welcome anymore. Several Cabrini high-rises between Chicago Avenue and Division Street had already been torn down, part of the massive, federally funded plan for transformation the city had launched in the mid-90’s.
Yet neighborliness and a sense of community were very apparent at the August 9th Old School Monday. Even though many of the people who’d called Cabrini home had lived there after it became infamous, it was like a high school reunion.
All around Lou and Lawrence heard people shrieking with joy as they saw friends they hadn’t seen in years. There must have been 800 people on Hill Street (which becomes a dead-end at Orleans across from Seward Park) who had grown up in the row houses, the red projects, white projects and the old working-class black neighborhoods just north of Division. There were people who still lived in Cabrini and former residents who’d come as far away as Las Vegas and other cities to take part. It was a hot, sticky night.
People were grilling hot dogs and ribs and chicken. Someone had set up a makeshift stage near Byrd elementary school, and a DJ was playing Marvin Gaye, Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson, Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, Major Lance, The Chi-Lites, Gladys Knight, Five Stairsteps and The Admirations. In the middle of Hill Street at least 60 couples were dancing and steppin. The last day of Old School Monday there were over 1,500 people who attended.
Ronnie was there for all the "Old School Monday’s". It was good seeing so many old friends he hadn’t seen in many years smiling, laughing and hugging each other. He saw young men who were in their after school programs and in their basketball tournament that told him that he was a role model to them and that he saved their lives. Ronnie starts to think about the old days of living and growing up in "Cabrini Green" in the row houses and began to reminisce of when it all started.
People who lived and grew up in "Cabrini Green":
Ramsey Lewis, Jerry butler, Chaka Khan, Marvin Yancy, Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance, Mary Alice-Actress, Jackie Taylor-Founder of The Black Ensemble Theater/Actress, Rick Stone-Actor/Artist, Retired Tony Watson Rear Admiral of US Nuclear Submarine , Ripple, The Epsilons, Andre Walker-Oprah's Hairstylist, Eric Monte-Screenwriter for Good Times, Cooley High, What's Happening, Sanford & Son, Joel Hall-Founder of The Joel Hall Dancers, Terry Callier-Songwriter/Artist, The Admirations, Gregory Hllimon-Actor, Shabba-Doo, Robert Squirrel Lester of the Chi-Lites, NBA Pigeon Johnson, Al Carter Youth Foundation, The Intelli-Gents, Ron Simmons-1996 Olympics/Activist, Hubert Welch-Activist, William Gates-Hoop Dreams, Alexander Nelson-Activist, Nate Jones-1996 Olympics, Mr. Elzy, John Thompson, Mr. Hubert Wilson-Activist, Elax Taylor-Activist, Marion Stamps-Activist, Al Carter-Bey-Activist, Mrs Childs, Mrs Ruth, Mrs Jones, Mrs Nash, and Mrs Davis-Activist.
Cabrini Green red projects
The rowhouses
The white projects
St Phillips Church in Cabrini Green
St Phillips Church in Cabrini Green
The Martin Luther King Jr riots 1968
Grew up in Cabrini Green the Admirations singing group
Butch, Dennis, Alfred, Peppie & Ron in Cabrini Green
Cabrini Green Community based organization called
The Intelli-Gents
Cabrini Green singing group called
The Admirations
Martin Luther King Jr riots in Cabrini Green 1968
Martin Luther King Jr riots in Cabrini Green 1968
Mr. Elax Taylor - Community activist
Marion Queen Stamps - Community activist
Al Carter-bey - Community activist
Grew up in Cabrini Green - Curtis Mayfield
Grew up in Cabrini Green - Jerry Bulter
Grew up in Cabrini Green - Major Lance
Grew up in Cabrini Green - Marvin Yancy
Born and lived in Cabrini Green - Chaka Khan
Grew up in Cabrini Green - Shabba-Doo
Grew up in Cabrini Green - Robert Squirrel Lester
Tony Watson - Retired Admiral Commander of
US Nuclear Submarine
Terry Callier - Artist/Songwriter
Mary Alice - Actress
Eric Monte - Screenwriter
Back in the day Cabrini Green video
NBC News July 1970 Cabrini Housing Project video
A shout out to the Cabrini Green family from
the actor Tony Todd
A young Ron Simmons
writer/producer/filmmaker
Jamie and Ron at a movie premiere
Ron Simmons / writer / producer / filmmaker
Ron Simmons Bio
Former promoter of music events, a artist manager and producer, Ron Simmons has been the man behind the scenes of some of the most celebrated names in the music industry for over 40 years. In the 80’s, he added an entertainment arm to his company, Lynx Productions and today, the name around him is sports and entertainment.
Old School Years
Ron is the oldest of 5 was born in Chicago and raised by his mother a single parent in many communities on the north side and finally Cabrini Green and became a community activist with the community based organization called the Intelli-Gents, North Central Community Committee, Chicago Federation of Community Committee, and Near North Community Committee. He grew up with music and famous people around him like Major Lance, Curtis, Mayfield, Five Stairsteps, Chi-Lites, Admirations , and the Epsilons. His mother grew up with Mary Alice, Major Lance, and Chaka Khan’s mother; and his mother are childhood friends to this day. From humble beginnings and against all odds he has succeeded. He credits his success to his mother work ethics and his own ‘can do’ attitude and unshakeable determination to beat the odds.
Starship Enterprise
Simmons began his career in the late 70’s promoting club events. In 1976 he formed his company Starship Enterprise and went on to promote some amazing events. During the 1980’s Simmons and childhood partners ruled the upscale club and event scene. His promotions drew enormous crowds as well as some A-List recording artists and DJ’s. His unique promotional flair and charisma helped bring the glamour back to the black events. His promotions of artists like The Dells, Heaven & Earth, and Brighter Side of Darkness would fill the party room with people from everywhere. His promotion of one of the biggest event at the Playboy Towers, in Chicago drew over the capacity of people and set a record for a live entertainment show of people lined up outside Playboy Towers to get in the event.
Leadership and Champion
In the late 70’s and throughout the 80’s Simmons led the charge in this industry in trying to promote some of the biggest and best parties around town by blacks. He also guided the successful career of himself in the sports of bodybuilding and powerlifting. In an industry not well known by him, Simmons stands out as a powerhouse who has resources and will put them to work in his best interest first. The legendary Sergio Oliva: The Myth, Dragomir Cioroslan, Marta Collazo, and Allen Goldstein trained Simmons to a world winning champion. In 1990 Simmons worked diligently to prepare himself for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He first would have to qualify at different levels. He travel to Oklahoma Championships in 1992 where he won 1st place, in London International Stoke Mandeville Games he won a Gold Medal in 1992, in 1993 Lift Chicago he won 1st place, in 1993 Courage Country Championships he won 1st place, in 1993-1994 Most Valuable Lifter, in Australia World Games he was ranked the 3rd Strongest Man in the World, in 1995 Canada Powerlifting Games he won 1st place and in 1996 the USA Olympic Powerlifting Team he would miss the trip to Atlanta, he had worked so hard for would come to an end because of a broken leg. He would now put his focus back into the one thing he loved the most the music.
Lynx Productions managed, produced, and promoted many artists and shows. Some of the well known industry people and companies he would get the opportunity to rub shoulders with them through his contacts because he was a go getter a hustler in the good sense. He almost landed a record deal with the legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and has worked with labels such as Motown Records, LaFace Records, A&M Records, Warner Brother Records, Smash Records, and SBK Records. He had the pleasure of working with such artists as Mavis Staples, The Dells, Art Porter Jr, Chaka Khan, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Barry White, Gavin Christopher, Steve Silk Hurley, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Kirk Yano, Magnum Force, Brighter Side of Darkness, RJ’s Latest Arrival, Ghalib Ghallab, One 2 One, Sneak Preview, Whitney Keaton, Julia Huff, Stan Stubbs, 3D Richard Davenport, Spike Rebel, William L. Johnson, Otis Clay, Sarah Green, Marshall Titus, Aaron Isaiah, Princess, Frank Collazo, Matizo, Lendell, Jeniqua and the list goes on.
He also produced music videos with George Tillman Jr. and Bob Teitel their credits are; Soul Food, Men of Honor, Barbershop, Roll Bounce, Notorious to name a few.
He has always said that you can't do it all alone you have to surround yourself with good people. He said there were two of many people that were always in his corner famous fashion photographer from Paris Ernest Collins and interior designer Calvin Ashford (deceased) from Chicago.
Dreams
Simmons’ name and success will forever be affiliated with sports and entertainment but he is a savvy businessman whose biggest adrenaline rush comes from wheeling and dealing regardless of the idea. He is able to take innovative ideas and translate them into possible profitable ventures. He is a visionary with his finger on the pulse of blacks. He attended the Columbia College experience and received a bachelor’s degree in Communications & Business Management with an added minor in Accounting; but his street smarts and people skills have uniquely equipped him to deal with issues in the corporate boardroom and any room you put him in.
Ron has been called the Martin Luther King Jr. of Cabrini Green housing projects and a Cabrini Green Legend.
My name is Ron Simmons from Chicago, IL. I'm a writer/producer and filmmaker who has been writing, researching and developing a script to make a feature film. I have been working on this well over 15 years now and funding this project with my own personal money, time and creative skills to get this done. I know with your help, we can make this happen a lot faster. Real stories by real people!
This film will give you a true story of stories and enlighten everyone on how families grew up in public housing with myths and the lies that over shadowed communities. These communities were enslaved by the systems of political gains and the power of the systems. These are true stories of power and how people were kept out of the American dream, locking many into a system of no hope. Only those who didn't believe the propaganda made it out and worked toward a better life for themselves and families. These people would later become teachers, principals, social workers, police officers, lawyers, famous entertainers, and famous actors, start their own businesses, hold political office, and etc. So many great families came out of "Cabrini Green" as well as many other housing projects around the world that we never hear anything about.
75% white and 25% black from 1942 to 1967 as more blacks moved in, more whites would move out. By the late 1960’s to early 1970’s Cabrini was almost 100% black. At one time they called Cabrini “Little Sicily” and would have Italian feasts every year running down Division, Larrabee and Oak Street. Everyone got along and helped each other at different times. To this day, I still have white friends from back then.
It was a nice place to raise kids. Kids always had something to do that involved sports, music, after school programs, centers, quarter parties, waistline parties, club sets, tournaments, trips, block clubs, summer jobs, year around jobs, and educational programs. Most of the families there were run by a single parent, but some did have 2 parents in the household. Most parents set a strong foundation and told their children that education was the key to a better life.
I have traveled the world and a lot of places I’ve visited, people knew of "Cabrini Green" housing projects here in Chicago. However, they never had good things to say about a place I knew wasn't a hell hole to reside in. I knew this, because I lived there with many others. Don't get me wrong, bad things did happen there but bad things happen everywhere and worse than "Cabrini Green". "Cabrini Green" was in the media's eye all the time, because of the powers that be which included the mayor, special interest and the government. They wanted dominion over these 70 acres of prime real estate and came up with a plan to take the area down and make it unlivable. So it began... This will not be your typical ghetto/hood film.
I am coming to you the real world asking you to help me make this a reality. A product that can live on forever as a classic. I'm asking you to help me reach my starting goal of $1 million dollars or more in donations for this project.
A monthly donation of any size will be greatly appreciated, until we reach our goal. We can only accomplish this with your support and dedication.
1. I WOULD LIKE TO RAISE $1 MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE TO CONTINUE ON GETTING THE SCRIPT COMPLETED AND START PRODUCTION.
2. INVESTMENT BROKERS/INVESTORS/EQUITY INVESTORS/CROWDFUNDING/FILMFUNDING WILL BE INVOLVED AS WELL AS RON SIMMONS DOING HIS PART IN RAISING FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT.
3. 4 TO 6 FAMOUS ACTORS ON THE PROJECT WILL BE CAST / I will get the great opportunity to work with some of these amazing actors and actresses; Keke Palmer, Larenz Tate, William L. Johnson, Joseph Sikora, Harry Lennix, Cory Hardrict, Richard Lawson, Ruben Blades, Noamie Harris, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Cynda Williams, Jackie Taylor, Marcia Wright, Tony Todd, Mary Alice, Trisha L. Mann-Grant, Sheree Bynum, and Rick Stone, etc.
4. WE WILL BE CASTING FORMER AND PRESENT RESIDENTS OF CABRINI GREEN INTO THE FILM
5. A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR FORMER AND PRESENT RESIDENTS OF CABRINI GREEN FOR THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN.
6. WE WILL BE SHOOTING THE FEATURE FILM IN CHICAGO / The goal of "Cabrini Green" is to tell stories that appeal to a vast audience. The advantage of the production is that it is a “human interest story,” set in a real economic climate and tells stories of a time frame of 1957 to 1985. As an independent movie, "Cabrini Green" also provides direct communication with the audience about people’s struggles, faith-¬‐based living, the real down fall of "Cabrini Green" housing projects, and the urban struggles of a black, rich community that many loved. Although it is an independent production, the producers expect to recruit actors, talent and notable names in theatre and film (for key roles). The soundtrack will be composed of famous Chicago recording artists and will play a very important part of bringing this feature film to life.
"Cabrini Green" has been labeled as the most notorious housing project in the world, but the world will finally discover the truth of who was really notorious. The powers that be or the people who lived there?
7. THE TIME PERIOD OF THE FEATURE FILM WILL BE FROM THE YEARS 1957 TO 1985.
8. THE SOUND TRACK OF THE FILM WILL BE OF FAMOUS CHICAGO ARTISTS WE WILL BE LICENSING MUSIC SOME OF THESE ARTISTS / Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, Ramsey Lewis, The Admirations, The Five Stairsteps, The Artistics, Patti Drew, Quincy Jones, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Donny Hathaway, Jackie Wilson, The Staple Singers, Walter Jackson, The Dells, Gene Chandler, Minnie Riperton, The Emotions, The Chi-Lites, Magnum Force, Heaven & Earth, Ruby Andrews, Gavin Christopher, Tyrone Davis, Lou Rawls, The Steelers, The Players, Brighter Side of Darkness, Son of Slums, 21st Century, The Lost Generation, The Notations, Earth Wind & Fire, Johnnie Taylor, Ko Ko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Miki Howard, Otis Clay, Chicago, Charles Earland, Barbara Acklin, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Mannaquins, Masterplan, Sneak Preview, and MzLeeLee!
9. WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE FAMOUS DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS FOR THE FILM / Directors: Will Packer, George Tillman Jr., & Robert Teitel, F. Gary Gray, John Singleton, Antonio Fuqua, Spike Lee, Jamal Hill, Barry Michael Cooper or Robert Townsend.
10. THESE ARE THE SITCOM AND MOVIES SHOT IN CABRINI GREEN OR USED AS A SCENE IN A MOVIE / Good Times, Cooley High, Candyman, Heaven is a playground, White boyz, Down in the Delta, Green Lantern, and Boss Starz series.
"CABRINI GREEN" The Soul Story of Stories
“A Thrilling Drama that will Blow you Away”
“A Deeply Compelling Story of Survival and Truth”
“Brilliantly Complex Untold Stories”
A film by Ron Simmons
That summer of 2003 at Seward Park Old School Monday evening at 6PM
That summer a spontaneous reunion spurred a series of gigantic street parties for people who called the projects home. No plans, no permits, no problems.
In the summer of 2003, Lou Carter and Lawrence Green decided to organize a little reunion in Seward Park of friends he’d grown up with, in nearby Cabrini Green. They joked that they had to hurry because the neighborhood was changing so fast they might not be welcome anymore. Several Cabrini high-rises between Chicago Avenue and Division Street had already been torn down, part of the massive, federally funded plan for transformation the city had launched in the mid-90’s.
Yet neighborliness and a sense of community were very apparent at the August 9th Old School Monday. Even though many of the people who’d called Cabrini home had lived there after it became infamous, it was like a high school reunion.
All around Lou and Lawrence heard people shrieking with joy as they saw friends they hadn’t seen in years. There must have been 800 people on Hill Street (which becomes a dead-end at Orleans across from Seward Park) who had grown up in the row houses, the red projects, white projects and the old working-class black neighborhoods just north of Division. There were people who still lived in Cabrini and former residents who’d come as far away as Las Vegas and other cities to take part. It was a hot, sticky night.
People were grilling hot dogs and ribs and chicken. Someone had set up a makeshift stage near Byrd elementary school, and a DJ was playing Marvin Gaye, Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson, Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, Major Lance, The Chi-Lites, Gladys Knight, Five Stairsteps and The Admirations. In the middle of Hill Street at least 60 couples were dancing and steppin. The last day of Old School Monday there were over 1,500 people who attended.
Ronnie was there for all the "Old School Monday’s". It was good seeing so many old friends he hadn’t seen in many years smiling, laughing and hugging each other. He saw young men who were in their after school programs and in their basketball tournament that told him that he was a role model to them and that he saved their lives. Ronnie starts to think about the old days of living and growing up in "Cabrini Green" in the row houses and began to reminisce of when it all started.
People who lived and grew up in "Cabrini Green":
Ramsey Lewis, Jerry butler, Chaka Khan, Marvin Yancy, Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance, Mary Alice-Actress, Jackie Taylor-Founder of The Black Ensemble Theater/Actress, Rick Stone-Actor/Artist, Retired Tony Watson Rear Admiral of US Nuclear Submarine , Ripple, The Epsilons, Andre Walker-Oprah's Hairstylist, Eric Monte-Screenwriter for Good Times, Cooley High, What's Happening, Sanford & Son, Joel Hall-Founder of The Joel Hall Dancers, Terry Callier-Songwriter/Artist, The Admirations, Gregory Hllimon-Actor, Shabba-Doo, Robert Squirrel Lester of the Chi-Lites, NBA Pigeon Johnson, Al Carter Youth Foundation, The Intelli-Gents, Ron Simmons-1996 Olympics/Activist, Hubert Welch-Activist, William Gates-Hoop Dreams, Alexander Nelson-Activist, Nate Jones-1996 Olympics, Mr. Elzy, John Thompson, Mr. Hubert Wilson-Activist, Elax Taylor-Activist, Marion Stamps-Activist, Al Carter-Bey-Activist, Mrs Childs, Mrs Ruth, Mrs Jones, Mrs Nash, and Mrs Davis-Activist.
Cabrini Green red projects
The rowhouses
The white projects
St Phillips Church in Cabrini Green St Phillips Church in Cabrini Green The Martin Luther King Jr riots 1968 Grew up in Cabrini Green the Admirations singing groupButch, Dennis, Alfred, Peppie & Ron in Cabrini Green Cabrini Green Community based organization called The Intelli-Gents
Cabrini Green singing group called The Admirations
Martin Luther King Jr riots in Cabrini Green 1968 Martin Luther King Jr riots in Cabrini Green 1968 Mr. Elax Taylor - Community activist Marion Queen Stamps - Community activist Al Carter-bey - Community activist Grew up in Cabrini Green - Curtis Mayfield Grew up in Cabrini Green - Jerry Bulter Grew up in Cabrini Green - Major Lance Grew up in Cabrini Green - Marvin Yancy Born and lived in Cabrini Green - Chaka Khan Grew up in Cabrini Green - Shabba-Doo Grew up in Cabrini Green - Robert Squirrel LesterTony Watson - Retired Admiral Commander of
US Nuclear Submarine
Terry Callier - Artist/Songwriter
Mary Alice - Actress
Eric Monte - Screenwriter
Back in the day Cabrini Green video
NBC News July 1970 Cabrini Housing Project video
A shout out to the Cabrini Green family from
the actor Tony Todd
A young Ron Simmons
writer/producer/filmmaker
Jamie and Ron at a movie premiere
Ron Simmons / writer / producer / filmmaker
Ron Simmons Bio
Former promoter of music events, a artist manager and producer, Ron Simmons has been the man behind the scenes of some of the most celebrated names in the music industry for over 40 years. In the 80’s, he added an entertainment arm to his company, Lynx Productions and today, the name around him is sports and entertainment.
Old School Years
Ron is the oldest of 5 was born in Chicago and raised by his mother a single parent in many communities on the north side and finally Cabrini Green and became a community activist with the community based organization called the Intelli-Gents, North Central Community Committee, Chicago Federation of Community Committee, and Near North Community Committee. He grew up with music and famous people around him like Major Lance, Curtis, Mayfield, Five Stairsteps, Chi-Lites, Admirations , and the Epsilons. His mother grew up with Mary Alice, Major Lance, and Chaka Khan’s mother; and his mother are childhood friends to this day. From humble beginnings and against all odds he has succeeded. He credits his success to his mother work ethics and his own ‘can do’ attitude and unshakeable determination to beat the odds.
Starship Enterprise
Simmons began his career in the late 70’s promoting club events. In 1976 he formed his company Starship Enterprise and went on to promote some amazing events. During the 1980’s Simmons and childhood partners ruled the upscale club and event scene. His promotions drew enormous crowds as well as some A-List recording artists and DJ’s. His unique promotional flair and charisma helped bring the glamour back to the black events. His promotions of artists like The Dells, Heaven & Earth, and Brighter Side of Darkness would fill the party room with people from everywhere. His promotion of one of the biggest event at the Playboy Towers, in Chicago drew over the capacity of people and set a record for a live entertainment show of people lined up outside Playboy Towers to get in the event.
Leadership and Champion
In the late 70’s and throughout the 80’s Simmons led the charge in this industry in trying to promote some of the biggest and best parties around town by blacks. He also guided the successful career of himself in the sports of bodybuilding and powerlifting. In an industry not well known by him, Simmons stands out as a powerhouse who has resources and will put them to work in his best interest first. The legendary Sergio Oliva: The Myth, Dragomir Cioroslan, Marta Collazo, and Allen Goldstein trained Simmons to a world winning champion. In 1990 Simmons worked diligently to prepare himself for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He first would have to qualify at different levels. He travel to Oklahoma Championships in 1992 where he won 1st place, in London International Stoke Mandeville Games he won a Gold Medal in 1992, in 1993 Lift Chicago he won 1st place, in 1993 Courage Country Championships he won 1st place, in 1993-1994 Most Valuable Lifter, in Australia World Games he was ranked the 3rd Strongest Man in the World, in 1995 Canada Powerlifting Games he won 1st place and in 1996 the USA Olympic Powerlifting Team he would miss the trip to Atlanta, he had worked so hard for would come to an end because of a broken leg. He would now put his focus back into the one thing he loved the most the music.
Lynx Productions managed, produced, and promoted many artists and shows. Some of the well known industry people and companies he would get the opportunity to rub shoulders with them through his contacts because he was a go getter a hustler in the good sense. He almost landed a record deal with the legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and has worked with labels such as Motown Records, LaFace Records, A&M Records, Warner Brother Records, Smash Records, and SBK Records. He had the pleasure of working with such artists as Mavis Staples, The Dells, Art Porter Jr, Chaka Khan, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Barry White, Gavin Christopher, Steve Silk Hurley, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Kirk Yano, Magnum Force, Brighter Side of Darkness, RJ’s Latest Arrival, Ghalib Ghallab, One 2 One, Sneak Preview, Whitney Keaton, Julia Huff, Stan Stubbs, 3D Richard Davenport, Spike Rebel, William L. Johnson, Otis Clay, Sarah Green, Marshall Titus, Aaron Isaiah, Princess, Frank Collazo, Matizo, Lendell, Jeniqua and the list goes on.
He also produced music videos with George Tillman Jr. and Bob Teitel their credits are; Soul Food, Men of Honor, Barbershop, Roll Bounce, Notorious to name a few.
He has always said that you can't do it all alone you have to surround yourself with good people. He said there were two of many people that were always in his corner famous fashion photographer from Paris Ernest Collins and interior designer Calvin Ashford (deceased) from Chicago.
Dreams
Simmons’ name and success will forever be affiliated with sports and entertainment but he is a savvy businessman whose biggest adrenaline rush comes from wheeling and dealing regardless of the idea. He is able to take innovative ideas and translate them into possible profitable ventures. He is a visionary with his finger on the pulse of blacks. He attended the Columbia College experience and received a bachelor’s degree in Communications & Business Management with an added minor in Accounting; but his street smarts and people skills have uniquely equipped him to deal with issues in the corporate boardroom and any room you put him in.
Ron has been called the Martin Luther King Jr. of Cabrini Green housing projects and a Cabrini Green Legend.
Organizer
Ron Simmons
Organizer
Chicago, IL