Luciana Ruiz and Michael Wyman stand outside Evanston RoundTable's first RoundTable Reads event, featuring author Arshay Cooper.
Luciana Ruiz and Michael Wyman stand outside Evanston RoundTable's first RoundTable Reads event, featuring author Arshay Cooper. Credit: Richard Cahan

They bring diversity, equity and inclusion to the sport of rowing in Evanston. Luciana Ruiz and Michael Wyman were among hundreds at RoundTable Reads, the Evanston RoundTable’s first book event, to see Arshay Cooper, author of A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America’s First All-Black High School Rowing Team. Ruiz helped start the Evanston Township High School rowing club. Wyman is co-founder of North Channel Community Rowing, which mentors young rowers. “Cooper is at the forefront of changing the sport and making it more diverse,” said Ruiz, who is head coach of the high school team, now in its second season. “We are doing that work at the Evanston level.” Said Wyman of Cooper: “He’s a great person to follow.” (Photo by Richard Cahan)

Richard Cahan takes photos for the Evanston RoundTable. He also is publisher of CityFiles Press, a small but mighty media company that believes in the power of words and pictures. You can reach him at...

Join the Conversation

1 Comment

The RoundTable will try to post comments within a few hours, but there may be a longer delay at times. Comments containing mean-spirited, libelous or ad hominem attacks will not be posted. Your full name and email is required. We do not post anonymous comments. Your e-mail will not be posted.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. I really appreciate this well written article and the publicity you gave to a wonderful program. Both Luciana, Michael, and Sandy are great ambassadors for a sport that I have loved for over 4 decades. Rowing on the Chicago River not only gives these young men and women a chance to experience a great sport; but it also connects them to nature, and an opportunity to find long-lasting friendships. My best friends are former teammates from 40 years ago, and they are still close to me.
    Terra L. Levin
    Past Commodore/Lincoln Park Boat Club
    Assistant Coach, Northwestern University
    Sculler, Dammrich Rowing Association

    Reply