Faces of Macomb

Byron K Oden-Shabazz

Byron K Oden-Shabazz moved to Macomb from Toledo, Ohio in 1999. Oden-Shabbazz lists his wife as his biggest inspiration and supporter, so he beamed with pride as she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Toledo, was offered a position in health sciences and social work at Western Illinois University, and rose to become chair and interim dean of the Honors Centennial College.

With his wife by his side, Oden-Shabazz turned the culture shock of his Macomb arrival into an opportunity to look through the lens of what he believed his new community could be. Byron’s personal and professional experiences brought him and Macomb the opportunity to help people gain potential and equity as well as move issues such as race relations, youth development, and cultural awareness forward.

After fi nishing his graduate degree, Byron become president of the local NAACP and is co-founder of the Shared Community Action Group, which is dedicated to helping strengthen dialogue and cooperation among diverse members of the community.

Oden-Shabazz founded the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian Project and Foundation, helping to place two historical land markers on the childhood home of C.T. Vivian as a tribute to the infamous Civil Rights leader and Macomb native. A member, area director, and chapter president of the fi rst black Greek letter organization Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Byron was integral in his beloved fraternity recognizing Brother C.T. Vivian at the state and national level with The Omega Service, a profound last rites service for the passing of a Brother. Oden-Shabazz hopes to continue to honor the life and legacy of C.T. Vivian with a week of cultural events, workshops on racial justice, conversations on diversity and inclusion, a $2 million cultural center, and chances to bring national attention to Macomb.

With a commitment to becoming a more progressive community, Oden-Shabazz and other local leaders created a series of popular workshops and conversational outlets to initiate racial harmony and recovery. Knowing Macomb is a city based on partnerships and equality is important for all, Byron helped co-create a new group named Bridge Builders and sits on the board of the Western Illinois Regional Council Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA), both organizations designed to provide social services and resources that will help all citizens improve their quality of life.

Ever looking to the future of his community, Byron has goals to open The Gentleman’s Chamber or Man Shop, a one-stop for men with grooming, barbershop, tailoring, massage therapy, nail, and shoe shining services all under one roof. Byron K Oden-Shabazz loves his community and is deeply invested in helping to improve it, while and ensuring he remains a voice of opportunity for marginalized people every single day.

MACOMB:

Faces of Macomb

Macomb Police Chief Jerel Jones Chief Jerel Jones was appointed as chief of the Macomb Police Department in May 2021. Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, Jones come to Macomb in 2003 to attend Western Illinois University (WIU) as an undergraduate in the Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) program. He received a bachelors degree and immediately went to work with the WIU Offi ce of Public Safety (OPS) and attended the police academy. He served with the OPS for twelve years, before being promoted to lieutenant with Bradley University, where he commuted daily from Macomb to oversee the community policing, serve on boards and committees, and help establish the detectives division. With his time and talents devoted to another community, Jones felt it important to impact life directly in Macomb and returned to a leadership role as lieutenant with the McDonough County Sheriff’s Offi ce in December 2020.

With the retirement of the former police chief, Jones has stepped into his role as chief with a perspective on law enforcement through different lenses and has been actively involved in community policing to develop relationships and promote solutions to quality of life challenges. With a solid background in law enforcement policies and a commitment to adhering to the needs of modern policing, Chief Jones has stated his primary goal is “continuing to deliver professional, unbiased police services to our community members, visitors, and stakeholders.” A husband and father himself, Chief Jones is looking to the future to develop youth programming that allows a safe environment for all area families, additional offi cer engagement with the community during off duty hours, and opportunities to diversify the police department to best serve and protect the City of Macomb and it’s patrons. Jones wants Macomb to continue to be a place where everyone is included and appreciated in an ever-evolving community that embraces change, transparency, and a respect for the diversity for all within the City of Macomb.

Faces of Macomb

John Biernbaum

John “JB” Biernbaum, 28-year Macomb resident and Western Illinois University (WIU) employee, serves as associate vicepresident for Student Services. Biernbaum holds a bachelors degree in political science/ history and a masters degree in counseling and college student personnel from Eastern Illinois University.

JB currently serves as a board of trustees member for Spoon River College, and serves on the boards of both the Humane Society and the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. Biernbaum is also involved in the local and WIU campus community, where he continues to serve as co-chair of the Western Illinois Athletics Purple and Gold Gala for the last decade. Additionally, he is member of Downtown Athletic Club, a community meet up for local sports professionals and enthusiasts.

Biernbaum had the opportunity to coordinate the St. Louis Rams Summer Training Camp during their nine year stay in Macomb and worked operations for the team in Super Bowls XXXIV and XXXVI. He also worked game day operations for the XFL St. Louis BattleHawks football team. In the past, he has been involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, coached Little League Baseball, served as Cub Scout 300 Pack Master, served on the Leatherneck Athletic Club Advisory Board, and is an alumni from the local I am an alumni from the local Citizens Police Academy.

During the pandemic, Birenbaum created the McDonough County Restaurant Daily Specials Facebook page, which quickly gained thousands of followers and raised over $13,000 in local donations to support local restaurants and businesses via community-wide promotions. The Facebook page continues to be a valuable resource for local restaurants and small businesses in the area.

Originally from Palestine, Illinois; Biernbaum has a brother and two sisters who are all successful in their professional endeavors. A consummate animal lover, he has had the opportunity to rescue several shelter dogs over the years (Maddie and Charlie) and currently lives with his latest rescue Ruby. JB loves and supports Leatherneck Athletics and enjoys a good cigar.

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Faces of Macomb

Lisa Ward

Lisa Ward has been serving up Southern hospitality here in the Midwest for over 25 years and it all started with a boy. She opened Magnolia’s catering in March of 1998 and expanded to a fullservice restaurant in 2002. Her fi rst 18 months, she and her nowhusband, balanced the entire business on their own. As events expanded, so did her staff. Eventually the Wards purchased a nice corner lot to make a new home for his business Two Dogs/Wilbur’s Mill and a new home for a brick & mortar called Magnolia’s Restaurant.

Ward has a background in the hotel and restaurant industry. She got her start sporting that “cute” blue polyester jumpsuit and triangle hat, where most days were spent asking “Would you like fries with that?” With looks that included that blue suit, an old English puffy shirt at The Steak & Ale, and a cheerleader uniform and saddle shoes at Bentley’s 50’s-style night club; she now lets her staff have the fi nal decision on any uniform.

The economy and COVID have challenged the Wards, but she attributes her success to the great customers and friends she has made over the years. Ward remarks, “I am fortunate enough to have my clients turn into friends, which are the best friends I could ever hope for.” Ward feels that Macomb is so generous to her, and she tries to return the generosity. She aims to give back to the community by hosting events at Magnolia’s and The Forum in order to assist the community in raising thousands of dollars for various causes. She has served as three-year co-chair of the annual Farm to Table Event that benefi ts local FFA chapters, is an eight-year co-chair of The Crime Stoppers Lasagna Dinner, and is a fi ve-year cook at the Cook for A Cause Event which raises money to support The Linda’s Fund – a local breast cancer foundation.

If you were to ask her what her greatest accomplishments are, she would say that being Western Illinois University’s Honorary Alumni 2012, Macomb Business of the year 2020, and a Downtown Legacy Award winner from the City of Macomb are all titles she never dreamed she would ever get, but her greatest accomplishment is being married to the man that made all this happen by bringing her to Macomb.

Rachel Lenz

Rachel Lenz has spent more than 10 years improving and enjoying recreational experiences in greater western Illinois. Lenz has led the Macomb Park District as its executive director since 2017 and has worked with the park district in other capacities since 2013. During that time, she’s created special events for the community, rebranded the park district, led its marketing and fundraising campaigns and worked with the community in a variety of ways.

Prior to her park district work, she led the McDonough County Special Recreation Association and was a camp coordinator for the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association.

Rachel graduated from Western Illinois University in 2009 with a bachelors in recreation therapy and in 2012 with a masters in recreation, park and tourism administration. She is also a Certifi ed Park and Recreation Professional and Certifi ed Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

She’s a recognized leader in the community where she helps lead the McDonough County CEO board, serves on the Quality of Life committee, and is an ambassador for the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. Rachel has, in total, served on (and often led) fi fteen different organizations

Her community has recognized her work with the 2018 Business Leader of the Year Award from the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, and the 2017 Graduate of the Last Decade Award from the recreation department at WIU.