Changing the Narrative: A Look at African American Heritage Sites in Evanston

Join us online via Zoom for a presentation by Morris (Dino) Robinson, Jr. and Kris Hartzell as they examine the recent efforts by the City of Evanston to recognize sites and buildings that speak to the role African Americans played in shaping the suburb.

Established in 1863, the City of Evanston benefited economically and socially from the contribution of its African American residents—a fact often diminished in, if not excluded entirely from, historical records and narratives. The City of Evanston recently supported a resolution that was developed by the Shorefront Legacy Center to recognize African American Heritage Sites and the role of African Americans in shaping the Evanston community. While many buildings have not been afforded the formal protection of historic preservation efforts, the community is now committed to recognizing this cultural legacy with historic markers and education. Robinson and Hartzell will discuss the project and examine some of these sites and discuss new ways to establish and recognize their historical significance beyond established norms.

Morris (Dino) Robinson, Jr. has been a resident of Evanston for over 40 years. Dino is a graduate of Loyola University with a B.A. in Design and a minor in African American Studies. In 1995, Dino founded what became known as Shorefront, an archival organization of more than 500 linear feet of materials illustrating the lives and experience of Blacks on the North Shore for public use. Kris Hartzell is Director of Facilities, Visitor Services, and Collections for the Evanston History Center.

This event will be held online via Zoom. Registration Required:
https://bit.ly/RegisterChangingtheNarrative

Admission: $10. EHC Members attend for Free!