Evelyn Brandt Thomas on the 2024 Order of Lincoln Recipients newschannel20.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newschannel20.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker on Monday announced the 2024 recipients of the Order of Lincoln, the state’s highest civilian honor for professional achievement and public service.
CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) — The Order of Lincoln is Illinois’ highest civilian honor for professional achievement and public service. Of the seven Lincoln Laureates awarded this year, most have ties to Central Illinois. More than 350 distinguished Illinois residents have joined the Order of Lincoln since it was established in 1964. “I couldn’t be prouder to announce this year’s Order of Lincoln recipients […]
(Image Credit: Facebook/National Society of Black CPAs)
In 1929, General Wilmer F. Lucas made history as the first Black person to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York. Lucas was also the fifth Black person in the entire country to receive the CPA designation.
This time period was a pivotal moment in history, marking the beginning of the Great Depression (1929-1939) and a decade of regulatory reform. Massive stock market losses, unemployment increases, and debt challenges led to the worst economic strain during the 20th century. Despite being in the center of the market meltdown, Lucas positioned himself to create opportunities by investing in various forms of education.