Evanston North Shore Branch NAACP

Join Us as We Fight Racism in Evanston

President Rev Dr. Michael Nabors at D65 Conference

Evanston/North Shore NAACP President's Report

March 7, 2023

Dear Evanston and North Shore,

The Evanston/North Shore NAACP would like to share updates on activities and events that have transpired during the first two months of 2023. We remain committed to being the oldest, boldest and strongest and longest serving civil rights organization in Evanston and part of the oldest civil rights organization in the world! Begun in 1909, the NAACP has long focused on fighting for the civil rights of those out of the African Diaspora. Our own Evanston branch began in 1918 and was re-established a few years later.

In January we began to partner with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. One of twelve cohorts, our branch president attends monthly meetings to offer perspectives and input on regional transportation issues. Also in January, the branch participated in the Annual Walk for Warmth, the Annual Interfaith Martin Luther King Jr., Worship Service held at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, the Annual Alpha Phi Alpha Martin Luther King, Jr. Program at Alice Millar Chapel, and Northwestern’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Program. The guest speaker for Northwestern’s program was former President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill.

The branch also sponsored a community forum with Chief Schneita Stewart in the aftermath of the video release showing the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis. Chief Stewart shared her vision for the EPD and initiatives she has employed to increase and strengthen the relationship between the department and the Black community in Evanston. The forum was well attended with local clergy and Evanston residents. In addition, EPD police officers also attended the gathering.

Branch president Dr. Nabors also met with Mr. Patrick Phillips, President and CEO of R.I.S.E. Opportunity Foundation. The foundation is located in Chicago and has historically worked with Chicago youth and HBCU Fisk University. At a second meeting, Dr. Nabors introduced members of Unity Scholarships here in Evanston to Mr. Phillips. We are hopeful that a collaboration can be developed between Unity and the foundation.

In February the branch hosted a candidates forum for persons running for alderperson positions in Evanston. The zoom gathering was very well attended and all candidates had the opportunity to share their platform and vision for the Evanston community.

Our branch’s Education Committee also did an outstanding job in planning, preparing and implementing the Read-a-Thon Black History Event with Oakton Elementary School. Chairperson Terri Shepherd organized over a dozen readers from the branch to read to every single classroom at Oakton School. The feedback from students, teachers and administration has been outstanding. Stories selected highlighted African American history in the United States as well as stories and tales from Africa.

Dr. Reginald Blount, professor at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary was installed as the school’s Director of the Center on Black Church Excellence. The Center has a fifty year history of participating and working with Black houses of worship in Evanston. Dr. Blount is also a pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal denomination and serves Arnette AME Church in Chicago. Our NAACP branch was present during the installation service.

President Nabors has also been traveling throughout the United States, speaking in various communities about race relations and reparations. Tampa, FL, St. Paul, MN and Palm Springs, FL have all invited President Nabors to talk about the activity of our Evanston/North Shore Branch and to also discuss the role of interfaith organizations working to eliminate racism and build stronger relationships between black and white congregations.

If any organization, business or school is interested in working with our branch in our continued fight for civil rights and our goal of dismantling racism in Evanston and the North Shore, please contact us at our email, website or phone number.

Rev. Dr. Michael Nabors
President
Evanston/North Shore NAACP

Special Announcement

Mrs Bridges at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet.

October 3, 2022

Dear Evanston/North Shore NAACP,

It is with heartfelt sadness that I regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs.
Bridges, long time member of the NAACP, Executive Committee member, co-
chair of the Membership Committee, member of Friendship Baptist Church
and a veritable icon in the Evanston community.

We were blessed to honor Sister Bridges a few years ago at our Freedom
Fund Banquet. We acknowledge that our branch has been strengthened and
grown because of Mrs. Bridge's incredible presence and passion for justice.
Many of us were present at her 95th birthday celebration at Friendship four
years ago. We were simply grateful to be a part of such a wonderful
celebration where she was lifted up by her family, church family, community.

We will send out additional information regarding Mrs. Bridges homegoing
service when it becomes available.

Warmly,

Michael Nabors
President
Evanston/North Shore NAACP

Evanston Branch

Become a member and learn more!

Black History

Learn about Black History year round!

The Rev. Michael Woolf (left) and the Rev. Michael Nabors, recipients of the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace and Justice Award, stand together at Lake Street Church on Sunday. Woolf is pastor of Lake Street Church and Nabors is pastor of Second Baptist Church. Credit: Chris Walker

Rev. Michael Nabors, pastor of Second Baptist Church, President of the Evanston/North Shore NAACP, and Rev. Michael Woolf, pastor of Lake Street Church will receive the Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace and Justice Award for outstanding work for peace and justice.

Willie Shaw speaking at Northwestern University

BrANCH NEWS

Hear Ms. Willie Shaw's Keynote Speech at Northwestern University.
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NAACP Image Awards

54th NAACP Image Awards via
BET
February 25th at 7pm CST

NAACP National Convention

The 114th NAACP National Convention
in Boston, MA.
ACT-SO Competition:
Wednesday, July 26 – Saturday, July 29
Convention sessions:
Friday, July 28 – Tuesday, August 1

Reparations

House Lawmakers Advance Historic Bill To Form Reparations Commission. Evanston Approves Reparations.

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Know your rights when dealing with Law Enforcement.

Scholarship program

2023 NAACP Scholarship Deadline
March 25, 2023

Information Spotlight

Environmental Justice Awareness Day in Evanston

Picture of flier When: June 3rd, 1-4:00 p.m. Where: Fleetwood-Jourdain, 1655 Foster St.Picture

Join the Evanston community in this afternoon of a broad range of activities for all ages.
The Evanston Environmental Justice Coalition developed this day to:
--Learn how redlining, race, and income are some of the root causes of the lack of green space and the high level of tree inequity in the 5th Ward;
--Discuss the ongoing issues of environmental injustice and the roles Black & brown communities have played historically in advocating for themselves
against environmental pollutants.
All are welcome.

When: June 3rd, 1-4:00 p.m.
Where: Fleetwood-Jourdain, 1655 Foster St.

Skokie Police Department Is Hiring

Apply to Be an Officer
Applications Accepted until 5/26/2023

More Information and Apply

New laws in Illinois 2023

Alongside SAFE-T Act and Workers Rights Amendment, new
Illinois laws address latex allergies, carjackings, miscarriages,
improvement to health care and more!
More than 180 new laws are set to take effect on January 1, 2023, covering a range of issues big and small that affect
Illinoisans.
A complete list of all new Illinois laws taking effect next year can
be found here.

2023 Full List of IL Laws

Young man holding a Cancel Student Debt sign with other women and men behind him in front of a building. Text reads $50k and beyond #MeMinusStudentDebt

Student Debt Relief

STUDENT LOAN RELIEF APPLICATION NOW OPEN

The student loan relief application opened on October 17, 2022 and will be available through December 31, 2023. The application is available online, and for those unable to apply online, a paper version of the application form will be available soon.

The application is short and only requires basic information:

name,
birth date,
Social Security number,
phone number
e-mail address

#MeMinusStudentDebt

Learn More

Support Black Owned Businesses

Supporting Black Owned Businesses -181 Places to start online.Picture