The 10th Esteem Awards honored seven individuals for their contributions to the African-American and LGBTQ communities July 1 at Sidetrack in Boystown.
The Esteem Awards is part of Chicago's Black Gay Pride weekend and reminds the community of how much support the Black LBGT community in Chicago generates support for those in need.
The honorees included individuals and organizations that have demonstrated notable efforts concerning civil rights, social services, business, media, art and entertainment.
In the awards, there was a live performance by Michelle E. Brown, who performed two original spoken-word poems, as well as the band Acres to Miles, which performed several original songs.
Phillip Esteem, the main organizer of the event, funded the event; he said that working toward this event each year and making sure that admission is free "is a labor of love." He said that it is vital that people be recognized for the work they do so that those honorees may inspire others and also be motivated to continue making strides forward.