IBM and Windy City Media Group will present the 2003 GLBT Technology and Business Leadership Awards Thursday, 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.

IBM is known as the "Technology Leader for the GLBT Community." Windy City Media Group, the publisher of Windy City Times, has played an instrumental role in the growth of the Chicago-area gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender business community since its founding in 1985.

The following individuals and businesses will be honored for their technological savvy and business leadership:

Alderman Tom Tunney, owner of Ann Sather's Restaurants and the cities first openly gay alderman.

Aldo Castillo, award-winning entrepreneur both locally and nationally for his Aldo Castillo Gallery.

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

D/E EntertainmenT & 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, presented by IBM program director of GLBT Sales and Talent Sarah Siegel, will be given to reporter Andrew Davis and entrepreneur Jody Andre, owner of The Room and Speakeasy Supper Club (and formerly Tomboy Restaurant). There will also be a Youth Entrepreneurial Scholarship Presentation which will award one young individual who has started--or is about to start--a business venture.

A cocktail presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the award presentation to follow at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and reservations must be made to (773) 871-7610 by Nov. 14.

For more information please contact Tracy Baim at Windy City Media Group at (773) 871-7610.