The Joe “Butch” Martin Fund, established by Denise Martin in memory of her husband, annually presents Real M.M.E.N. (Men Meeting Evanston’s Needs) awards to African American males who demonstrate quiet, long-term leadership and positive role modeling in the Evanston community. This year the awards went to Reverend Monte Dillard, senior pastor at First Church of God Christian Life Center, and Fred Hunter, principal at Lincolnwood School.
The award to Rev. Dillard was “given in appreciation for his passion for community empowerment and observing what needs repairing and focusing on how to fix it.” Mr. Hunter was recognized “for his dedication to the youth in our community, his perseverance, determination and work ethic.”