Chicago, IL – October 9, 2025 — The International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) and Martin’s International Foundation mourn the loss of Hon. Shelvin Louise Marie Hall, retired Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court and devoted wife of IRAWMA Founder Dr. Ephraim Martin. Justice Hall passed away leaving behind an enduring legacy of excellence, advocacy, and love.
Justice Hall was not only a trailblazer in law but also a driving force behind many of Dr. Martin’s civic and cultural initiatives. She played key roles in the success of the International Reggae & World Music Awards, the Chicago Music Awards, the International Festival of Life, and JSVFest — helping to elevate global awareness of reggae, Caribbean, and African-inspired music and culture.
Beyond her cultural influence, Justice Hall’s leadership extended into the civic realm. She worked closely with Dr. Martin, Alderman David Moore, and members of the Chicago City Council to successfully advocate for the renaming of Lake Shore Drive to DuSable Lake Shore Drive, honoring Chicago’s first non-Indigenous settler, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable.
