Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx Announces Three Recipients of the Annual C.F. Stradford Award

CHICAGO – Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx celebrated Black History Month by recognizing three of the County’s most notable leaders for their dedication to public service and commitment to uplifting communities through advocacy, engagement, and leadership. Earlier this week, State’s Attorney Foxx presented The Honorable Adrienne E. Davis, Attorney Cannon D. Lambert, and Community Advocate Martin Coffer with the C.F. Stradford Award during at a recognition ceremony in Bronzeville.

“C.F. Stradford was a pioneering civil rights attorney with an unwavering dedication to equal justice for all,” said State’s Attorney Foxx. “His legacy lives on through the recipients of the annual C.F. Stradford Award and their continued dedication to ensuring a better way of life for all residents of Cook County.”

Honorable Adrienne E.  Davis was appointed to the Second Judicial Sub Circuit Court of Cook County in 2017 after serving 22 years as an assistant public defender at the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender. Judge Davis is a Chicago native and adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago College of Law. In addition to tutoring bar candidates enrolled in the Minority Legal Education Resources (MLER) program, Judge Davis has served on the MLER Board of Directors and actively mentors young people on the issues of internet safety, and the benefit of making healthy and positive life choices.

Cannon D. Lambert, Sr., Esq. is co-founder and managing partner at the Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. law firm in Chicago. As a well-respected trail attorney, Lambert is a strong advocate for victims and victims' rights, and tirelessly fights against insurance companies, corporations and other entities that, far too often, place personal or business interests above the safety and interests of others. In addition to mentoring youth people, Lambert regularly teaches free “Knowing Your Rights” seminars that feature a protocol to educate drivers on how to safely and respectfully interact with police during a traffic stop.

Martin Coffer is Director of Community Relations at Breakthrough Urban Ministries. As a Chicago West Side native, Coffer fuels his passion for community advocacy by working with young people and other vulnerable populations. He has spearheaded youth-focused initiatives at Lawndale Christian Health Center, served as a teacher and coach at Chicago Westside Christian School, and leads initiatives to assist individuals experiencing homelessness, isolation and substance abuse. Coffer also serves on the Board of Directors for Westside Rising, a local coalition dedicated to creating a more just, well and vibrant West Side community.

State’s Attorney Foxx annually recognizes prominent features from Cook County’s African American communities with the C.F. Stradford Award for their exemplary work in leadership, community engagement, youth empowerment and more. TheC.F. Stradford Awards ceremony is held annually during the national observance of Black History Month. The 2023 ceremony is the first in-person celebration since 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is the nation’s second-largest prosecutor’s office and is led by Cook County’s first Black woman State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. Foxx brings her vision to this office to fairly administer justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities for every person who steps foot in Cook County, no matter their race, income, or zip code. Foxx has been recognized as one of the most progressive prosecutors through her forward-thinking, innovative strategies to intercept the cycles of violence and crime and bringing change to a criminal justice system rooted in systemic racism. Follow @SAKimFoxx on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and @CookCountySAO on Twitter and Facebook.