Rock Concert
April 3, 2030
This is your Upcoming Event Description. Use this space to provide more details about your upcoming event like where it’s located, when it begins and ends, and who it’s geared towards.
Rock Concert
April 3, 2030
This is your Upcoming Event Description. Use this space to provide more details about your upcoming event like where it’s located, when it begins and ends, and who it’s geared towards.
Rock Concert
April 3, 2030
This is your Upcoming Event Description. Use this space to provide more details about your upcoming event like where it’s located, when it begins and ends, and who it’s geared towards.
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Showtimes:
February 28 | 6:30 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Location:
Jesus Name Apostolic Church
208 Lake Street,
Waukegan 60085
About Salute to Gospel Music:
Featuring guest artist Charles Jenkins, this joyful concert will bring people to together to honor community and celebrate Black gospel music! Alongside Jenkins, there will also be performances by The College of Lake County’s Gospel Choir, directed by Matthew Hunter, and the S2G Community Choir, co-directed by Senior Pastor Tiffany Peppers, Jesus Name Apostolic Church; Mark Cosey, former CLC gospel choir director; and Co-Senior Pastor Cory Ratliff, The Sign of the Dove Church, Waukegan.
This year's Salute to Gospel Music concert will be held at Jesus Name Apostolic Church in Waukegan.
Meet the 41st Salute to Gospel's Special Guests!
Charles Jenkins
2026 Salute to Gospel Guest Artist
Charles Jenkins is a visionary artist, entrepreneur, and faith leader whose career bridges ministry, music, fashion, media, and civic impact. For over two decades, he served as senior pastor of Chicago’s historic Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where he blended spiritual leadership with bold social advocacy.
As a celebrated gospel hitmaker, his uplifting anthems like “War” and “Awesome” have earned 23 Billboard #1 singles, nine Stellar Awards, and Grammy recognition. His music, rooted in hope and celebration, has graced global stages from President Obama’s Inaugural Ball to Jay-Z’s Made In America Festival and Essence Music Festival.
![Charles Jenkins New Promo Pic[91][64] (1).jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93c920_9e0502a975a5416a9197855c86ee3324~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_343,y_193,w_1669,h_1652/fill/w_190,h_188,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Charles%20Jenkins%20New%20Promo%20Pic%5B91%5D%5B64%5D%20(1).jpeg)
Sam Cunningham
Mayor of Waukegan
Sam Cunningham is from Waukegan and for Waukegan. Sam's deep roots in the community and unwavering commitment to serving the people uniquely position him to guide the city toward prosperity and growth.
Sam was elected to the Waukegan City Council in 1999, representing the 1st Ward and serving as chairperson of several committees and collaborating with 5 mayors to address neighborhood issues, invest in the city's infrastructure, and grow the economy in every ward. On May 1, 2017, Sam was sworn in as the 40th Mayor of Waukegan, making history as the first African American to hold this esteemed position.
His leadership and service have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2017 Jim Edgar Fellowship Recipient award, the U.S. Minority Contractors Association's Municipal Administrator of the Year, the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce's Parren J. Mitchell Outstanding Service Award, and the 2019 United Hellenic Voters of America Mayor of the Year.
With his proven track record, steadfast commitment to the community, and forward-thinking leadership, Sam continues to be the leader driving Waukegan toward a bright and promising future.
Matthew Hunter
Gospel Choir Director at the College of Lake County
Matthew was born and raised in Evanston, where his musical career started at a very young age.
Matthew graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Music Education from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, IL. Matthew serves as a consulting teacher for the Niles Township High School District 219 in Skokie, IL, and is the College of Lake County Gospel Choir director at the Grayslake campus.
In 2015, Matthew made his professional theater debut in Chicago in the Black Ensemble Theater’s Jeff-nominated production of Men of Soul. Matthew has been named one of the Northshore’s “Top talents, art influencers, and dazzling performers” in Modern Luxury NS magazine (2016) and has served as an assistant music director for the Musical Theater Intensive at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, IL.
He was recently seen performing in the Jeff award-nominated production of “Godspell” by Stephen Schwartz and "Songs for a New World" by Jason Robert Brown at Theo Ubique in Evanston, IL. From national to international performances, from hip-hop dance troupes to baroque operas, Matthew brings a wealth of performing experience and musical leadership to the stage and the classroom.