Honorary Street Sign Unveiling and Hat Party Celebration for Johnny L. Tyus, ‘The Hat Man’ (Chicago, IL) – October 24, 2024 – The Chicago community is poised to recognize the significant contributions of esteemed citizen Johnny L. Tyus, known as ‘The Hat Man,’ with an honorary street sign unveiling scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. This event seeks to honor over 50 years of Tyus’s dedication to crafting timeless, custom-made hats.
The City of Chicago, Optimo Hats, and the Tyus family will collectively pay tribute to Mr. Tyus with an informal gathering at the original location of his shop at the intersection of 79th and Racine. Keynote speakers will include Alderman David Moore of Ward 17, Graham Thompson, founder of Optimo Hats, and members of Mr. Tyus’s family, who will share remarks regarding his life and legacy. The street sign unveiling ceremony is open to the public, encouraging all community members to attend. Participants are invited to wear their favorite hats as a tribute to Mr. Tyus. The sign will be unveiled at the intersection of 79th and Racine, serving as a lasting testament to his dedication and accomplishments.
Subsequent to the ceremony, a celebratory reception will occur at the Jazz Showcase, located at 806 S. Plymouth Court, to commemorate Optimo Hats’ 29 years of excellence in custom headwear. This reception will include an honorary toast to Mr. Tyus and will run from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy performances by the Grammy Award-winning Christian Dillingham Quartet and a special appearance by jazz legend Thelonious Sphere Monk III, son of celebrated jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. A reservation is required to attend.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to honor Johnny Tyus, a remarkable individual whose impact on both me and our community is profound,” stated Graham Thompson, CEO of Optimo Hats. “His dedication to helping others and his entrepreneurial success serve as a source of inspiration for all. This honorary street sign unveiling and hat party celebration is a modest token of our gratitude for Mr. Tyus’s substantial contributions to the art of fine hatmaking and to our city.”
This event is made possible through the generous support of local businesses and community organizations, whose contributions have facilitated the creation of an occasion that authentically reflects Mr. Tyus’s significance to our city.
Additional details also may be obtained at https://tinyurl.com/39khabue.
Honorary Street Sign Unveiling and Hat Party Celebration for Johnny L. Tyus, ‘The Hat Man’
