IBM and Windy City Media Group presented the 2003 GLBT Technology and Business Leadership Awards Nov. 20 at Speakeasy Supper Club, 1401 W. Devon in Chicago.

IBM and Windy City Times newspaper have co-sponsored a series of business features in 2003, with the goal of honoring many of the individuals in a year-end ceremony. The honorees:

* Ald. Tom Tunney, owner of Ann Sather's and the city's first openly gay alderman.

* Aldo Castillo, award-winning entrepreneur and gallery owner.

* R. Sue Connolly of Northern Trust Bank for her work helping to change the banking industry and for her non-profit volunteer efforts.

* D/E EntertainmenT (Frederick D. Dunson and Dennis Evans) & Grammy Award-winning DJ Frankie Knuckles, for marking 10 years of providing top-flight community events.

* Mary Ellen Diaz, owner of First Slice, a restaurant serving the homeless, elderly and poor families in Chicago.

* Malik Gillani of MicroTech for his work on technology as a business owner as well as his work in the community through the Silk Road Theater Project and other non-profits.

* Materville Studios for their unique business which provides technology support for musicians and small businesses. Most recently they were profiled in The Advocate.

* Judith Markowitz, Ph.D., president of J. Markowitz, Consultants, a high-technology consulting firm specializing in artificial intelligence and speech-processing (which includes speech recognition and speech synthesis).

In addition, special awards were presented by IBM program director of GLBT Sales and Talent Sarah Siegel to reporter Andrew Davis and entrepreneur Jody Andre, owner of The Room and Speakeasy Supper Club. There was also a Youth Entrepreneurial Scholarship Presentation to Brenna Conley-Fonda, a 20-year-old multimedia entrepreneuer. ----------------------------------------