CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois is celebrating Black History Month by honoring sports starts, coaches and a writer.

Secretary of State Jesse White is hosting a Thursday event that will honor former Chicago Bulls players B.J. Armstrong and Bob Love.

White will also recognize college and high school athletic coaches and Chicago Sun-Times' columnist Mary Mitchell.

The event starts at noon on the concourse level of the James R. Thompson Center downtown.

White's popular gymnastics troupe, the Jesse White Tumblers, also will perform.

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