Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
Recipients of the 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Awards, pictured with Director Christopher Wray, were honored in a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2018. Photo courtesy of the FBI

FBI presents 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

Posted on April 23, 2018April 23, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on FBI presents 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Awards
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

FBI presents 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

In a ceremony at FBI Headquarters on April 20, 2018, Director Christopher Wray recognized the recipients of the 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Award. These leaders, selected by their area FBI field office, have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their local communities through service. The FBI is grateful for the work of each of these individuals and organizations on behalf of their communities. Local Leaders Honored at FBI Headquarters

Sally Hazelgrove has a simple, yet lofty, goal—putting Chicago’s violent gangs out of business by taking away their access to the city’s youth.

“I deliberately replicated the gang model,” said Hazelgrove. “Gangs are my competition. Gangs offer a sense of belonging, a daily purpose, a sense of power—I want to do what they do but do it better.”

Hazelgrove is one of 57 remarkable individuals and organizations honored today during the Director’s Community Leadership Awards (DCLA) ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Nominated in 2017 by the each of the FBI’s 56 field offices and the Criminal Justice Information Services Division, the recipients were formally recognized by Director Christopher Wray for extraordinary service to their communities.

The Chicago Division honors Sally Hazelgrove. Ms. Hazelgrove is the founder of the Crushers Club, a boxing club for young men that helps to develop leadership skills based on respect, discipline, ownership, and love. Crushers Club has assisted more than 350 children, who have improved their academic scores and attitudes and who report that they now feel happier and safer. Photo courtesy of the FBI
The Chicago Division honors Sally Hazelgrove. Ms. Hazelgrove is the founder of the Crushers Club, a boxing club for young men that helps to develop leadership skills based on respect, discipline, ownership, and love. Crushers Club has assisted more than 350 children, who have improved their academic scores and attitudes and who report that they now feel happier and safer. Photo courtesy of the FBI

Since 1990, the annual awards have been the principal means for the FBI to publicly acknowledge the achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of education and the prevention of crime and violence.

In his remarks to the group this morning, Director Christopher Wray thanked the honorees for their efforts to make the country safer and noted the similarities between community leaders and the FBI’s own workforce—both are dedicated to public service and “doing the right thing in the right way,” he said.

“We need the support, the understanding, and the trust of our community partners and the public. You’re out in your neighborhoods and your communities every day building that support and that trust and that understanding,” Wray added.

The DCLA recipients honored today have made a variety of meaningful contributions to their communities, such as improving relationships between law enforcement and those they serve, providing housing to human trafficking survivors, combating the opioid crisis, and encouraging young people to make positive choices.

Recipients of the 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Awards, pictured with Director Christopher Wray, were honored in a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2018. Photo courtesy of the FBI
Recipients of the 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Awards, pictured with Director Christopher Wray, were honored in a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2018. Photo courtesy of the FBI

Hazelgrove, for example—through her organization, Crushers Club—works in the violent Chicago neighborhood of Englewood. After school each day and during the summer, at-risk boys visit her club, where they box, dance, create music, and take field trips instead of engaging with gangs.

More than 350 young people have participated in Crushers Club, and the organization estimates that 90 percent of them have improved school attendance and academic performance. A key part of the club’s model is to encourage socialization between young men and law enforcement—including FBI agents—which helps build bridges and forge strong relationships between the two groups.

Another DCLA recipient, the Mississippi Center for Excellence, helps vulnerable young adults who have aged out of foster care, have had contact with the criminal justice system, or who live in communities without access to quality housing, education, or employment.

Led by Director Ingrid Cloy, the center also works to create positive relationships between youth and law enforcement and has developed a program that trains local police to use community-based resources as an alternative to arrest.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, April 2018. Photo courtesy of the FBI
FBI Director Christopher Wray, April 2018. Photo courtesy of the FBI

“We want to help the police department be clued into the circumstances these young people face,” Cloy explained. “We’re helping them to look more strategically at the communities they’re patrolling every day.”

Cloy said she was excited for the opportunity for her organization to be recognized as a community leader. “We do good work, but recognition is not something we seek out,” she said. “We’re typically in the trenches of our communities and don’t get much recognition. I’m thankful the FBI recognizes small agencies that are trying to create change.”

These are just two examples of the countless efforts undertaken by every DCLA recipient—all of whom are striving to make the world a better place, one community at a time.

“Many days you’re doing thankless work,” Wray told the recipients, “so we want to make sure that we thank you.”

(Email your press releases and digital image to SuburbanChicagoland.com at [email protected].)

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 34
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
breaking news, Chicago, Government, National, News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Awards, Citizen Advisory Commission, Crushers Club, Director's Community Leadership Awards, Englewood, FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, leadership, recognition, Sally Hazelgrove, street gangs, Washington D.C. event

Post navigation

Previous Post: How did Netflix manage to ruin “Lost in Space?”
Next Post: Congressman Bost launches woman’s coalition at rally

Related Posts

  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years Blogger
  • Democratic endorsed candidate Marie Newman at rally Sept. 4, 2020 hosted by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and American Palestine Club. Photo courtesy of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce
    SEIU Illinois State Council endorses Marie Newman for Congress Cook County
  • Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    Emanuel unveils Chicago’s first public arts plan Chicago
  • FEMA Flooding updates on how to get post flood services Oct. 21, 2023
    The Importance of Checking Your Furnace, Winter is Coming! Cook County
  • State of Illinois Summer Food Service Program provides meals for young people under the age of 19
    Children under 18 can get free meals through state program Education
  • Illinois Kids Count
    Illinois children’s chances of success varies by County News

More Related Articles

Attorney Pat O'Brien announced his candidacy for the Republican Nomination for Cook County State's Attorney on Sept. 3, 2019 Pat O’Brien runs for Cook County State’s Attorney in GOP primary Crime
State Rep. Chris Welch Welch bill aims to guarantee Need-Based Higher Education grants for four years Education
Lyons finds new water source Government
Hyundai Sonata. Photo courtesy of Hyundai Hyundai and AAA Insurers Collaborate to Offer Insurance Options for Customers Affected by Method of Theft Popularized on TikTok Business
On September 21, 2014, Pati Poblete’s beloved son Robby was killed by gun violence in broad daylight at a busy intersection in Vallejo, CA Victim’s Mother Releases Memoir for Gun Violence Awareness Month Books & Films
Ali Center announces 2023 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award recipients  Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme