The Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP will host its 56th Freedom Fund Event beginning at 5 p.m. on Nov. 21, to be held virtually because of the CO-VID19 Pandemic restricting large group gatherings. The theme is “ We Are Done Dying.”
Since the chartering of the branch in 1917, the work of the branch has involved community-building on the West Side of Evanston, housing for Black students at Northwestern University from the Black YMCA on Emerson Street in the 40s and 50s, Civil Rights initiatives from de-segregation of the Evanston schools, marches with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago, Evanston and Wilmette, advocacy around reduction of racial discrimination in housing, voting rights, health issues, police reform and equity city-wide.
The event will feature a panel discussion, ”The State of Black People in Evanston and the North
Shore” with local citizens, Judge Lionel Jean-Baptist, former Fifth Ward Alderwoman Delores Holmes, Archivist and Executive Director of Shorefront Legacy Center Dino Robinson and Evanston RoundTable News Online Columnist, Margaret “Peggy” Tarr. The discussion will be moderated by Meleika Gardner.
“This year’s first Freedom Fund Event will signal the critical importance of working in collaboration with our
community partners to effect comprehensive change. We are grateful for over 100 years of support given by the Evanston community to the oldest and boldest civil rights organization in America. We are committed to continuing in our tradition while blazing new trails for people of color in our community. We hope you will join us.” Rev. Dr. Michael C.R. Nabors, President
Guests can register online at evanstonnaacp.org. A ZOOM link will be sent.