Members of the Evanston community are invited to join the City’s Reparations Subcommittee for a Town Hall on Thursday, August 27 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  During the webinar, members of the subcommittee will provide updates on the Subcommittee’s progress. The keynote speaker will be Spencer Jourdain. Other guest speakers include Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Danny Glover. Keynote speaker Spencer Jourdain is the youngest son of Evanston’s first African American Alderman, Edwin B. Jourdain, Jr., and is a product of the Evanston school system. Jourdain is a Harvard cum laude degreed historian and author. His published five-volume work, The Dream Dancers, provides an insightful multicultural perspective on today’s issues, illustrated through the true lives of his family lineage and unsung people of color spanning family migration from Massachusetts and Georgia into Evanston. Jourdain has lectured nationally on his historical work, and globally related to his work in sustainable futures. Residents may register to join the Town Hall by clicking here (https://bit.ly/2Qrplnn). Following registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with information needed to join the meeting. UPDATE: Due to the overwhelming response, registration for the Town Hall is now closed. However, community members can watch the meeting live on City Channel 16 and on the City’s YouTube channel. Agenda: 
  • Welcome Alderman Robin Rue Simmons, 5th Ward
  • Reparations Subcommittee Reports a. Progress Update, Alderman Robin Rue Simmons, 5th Ward b. Financial Update, Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward c. Housing Remedy, Alderman Peter Braithwaite, 2nd Ward
  • Statement from Reparations Stakeholders
  • Education Stakeholders Report
  • Special Guest Speaker Spencer Jourdain
  • NAARC Commissioner’s Final Assessment Danny Glover Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas
  • Closing Alderman Robin Rue Simmons, 5th Ward
For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.  

‘Checkout’ Podcast With Ald. Simmons

Jill Schacter recently interviewed Alderman Robin Rue Simmons on her podcast, the checkout.

 

Ms. Schacter notes that Ald. Simmons, the Fifth Ward alderman for the City of Evanston “”grew up and currently lives in the Fth Ward.

 

“”She is Chair of the City’s Reparations Subcommittee and is the lead behind the nation’s very first local reparations program, historic policy made right here in Evanston.

 

“”Her entire career has been profoundly influenced by the economic disparities she observed growing up in Evanston. She continues to work to improve opportunities for African Americans in the areas of housing, wealth building, and economic development with a solutions-only focus.

 

“”In this episode we talk about Robin’s childhood in Evanston and early signs of leadership. We take a deep dive into Evanston’s reparations plan, and discuss the many ways that others can get involved and support the plan. Robin talks about how she views this moment in time as we face a pandemic, civil unrest, and growing disparities. She talks about what keeps her in the fight for social justice and repair.””

 

The podcast can be found here.