Evanston North Shore Branch NAACP

Join Us as We Fight Racism

Evanston/North Shore NAACP President's Report

December 6, 2023

Dear Evanston/North Shore,

On behalf of the Evanston/North Shore Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, I want to thank you for your support in our recent, Annual Freedom Fund Banquet. Your unwavering support and belief in our branch helped make the night a success.

We prepared for 275 attendees. However, just a few days before the event we had stretched to 325 attendees and a waiting list. But numbers were not the only measure of success our branch experienced that night. We were also very grateful for our sponsors who supported the occasion with the purchase of ads and tickets. But our sponsors were not the only measure of success our branch experienced that night. We were grateful to see the intergenerational attendance at the Freedom Fund Banquet who ranged from late teens to over one hundred years! This is the best of the Black historical experience in the United States and deep into our African heritage. But our intergenerational presence was not the only measure of success our branch experienced that night.

There were a few challenges and as president of the branch, I want to apologize to our attendees regarding the very loud music being played in ballroom that was next door. As I mentioned at the banquet, the occasion was a bar mitzvah and the attendees were children and youth. Our consternation was not with the party, since they had booked the room, just like we booked our ballroom. But it was with the staff who should have known the nature of our evening, particularly since we have been a customer for several years. We apologize that the roar of the music next door made it nearly impossible to hear our amazing guest speaker, Audra Wilson and other presentations. We also apologize for those who may have been served cold entrees.

Yet with all of these concerns, the most impacting part of the Freedom Fund Banquet was the incredible show of Beloved Community, gathered together to celebrate this year’s trailblazer awardees. The awardees’ tireless work and service to our north shore community could not be diminished by the concerns that occurred during our banquet. They represent the very best in Evanston and the North Shore as it relates to leading the way in community engagement, education, religion, economic development and activism.

Pastor Carlis L. Moody, Jr. of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ received the Trailblazer Religious Award. Pastor Moody and Faith Temple have been pillars in the 5th Ward of Evanston where the church was established in 1957. A prolific singer, director and songwriter, Pastor Moody’s “I’m Available to You” has become a mainstay in the Black Sacred Music songbook.

Dr. Javier A. Viera is president of Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and received the Trailblazer Education Award. The seminary was founded in 1851 as a Methodist Biblical Institute, the first in the midwest. Dr. Viera was named president in 2021, marking the first time a person of color and a Latino has held the position.

Carolyn Ruff received the Trailblazer Community Service Award. Ms. Ruff has been a long time civil rights activist both locally and nationally. Carolyn is retired from Evanston Township High School where she served as a computer specialist. She is a freedom fighter for justice and respect for women. She is also the founder of Black Lives Matter Women of Faith.

Olivia Ohlson is a high school junior at Evanston Township High School and received the Trailblazer Youth Award. Olivia has been active at ETHS and has a strong voice on issues of civil and human rights in the Evanston community. She has been the recipient of several awards and is a ray of hope for the future of African Americans, the nation and world.

Jacqui White, Tosha Wilson and Tiffani Holmes are co-developers of The Evanston Aux and received the Trailblazer Business Award. Their vision of finding a venue to place and support Black and women owned businesses in Evanston has become a reality. Through their diligence and tireless effort, they have brought a blazing spotlight on Black women entrepreneurship and excellence in economic development.

Eva Coley is the treasurer of the Evanston/North Shore NAACP. She is also a dedicated member of Bethel AME Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Eva’s focus and skills have helped many organizations achieve a high level of excellence.

Finally, our Youth Council issued awards to five young men for their dedicated work in the Evanston community. In September alone, twenty-eight young people became members of our Evanston/North Shore branch. What a powerful statement that we are moving in the right direction.

The Evanston and North Shore community is grateful for this year’s Trailblazer awardees. They exemplify the best in our community, As we prepare to move into a new year, let us remember and rely on the talent, skills and amazing gifts that are in our midst. We also believe that 2024 will yield an even greater harvest as we strive to end all forms of injustice and inequality, and work together to achieve a more just Evanston and North Shore.

Warmly,

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

Evanston Branch

Become a member and learn more!

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.

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

Black History

Learn about Black History year round!

President Rev Dr. Michael Nabors at D65 Conference

FIghting Racism Locally

Join us as we fight racism in Evanston!

Reparations

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

What BLM really Means

What Black Lives Matters really means.

Take Action

Become a 21st Century Game Changer.

Know Your Rights

Know your rights when dealing with Law Enforcement.

Scholarship program

2023 NAACP Scholarship Deadline
March 25, 2023

Information Spotlight

Freedom Fund Banquet

Evanston / North Shore Branch NAACP
59th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet
#ThrivingTogether

Saturday, November 18, 2023
6 pm - 11:30 pm

Speaker, Dinner & Dancing

Holiday Inn Banquet and Conference Center
5300 West Touhy
Skokie, IL 60077

Freedom Fund Page

Bloomington Normal Freedom Fund Banquet

2023 Freedom Fund Bloomington Normal NAACP. Attorney Benjamin Crump image. Saturday September 23

BNNAACP.ORG

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

President Biden made a promise to cancel student debt for 40 million people. Luckily, he has several tools in his toolbox to deliver on debt relief. Inaction is not an option.

Student debt cancellation is a critical and normal tool in the Secretary of Education's toolbox and has been used to provide mass relief for borrowers defrauded by their school and even disabled borrowers.

You voted and rallied - and it's because of you we've seen steps in student debt relief. Let's keep going. Urge Biden to use his authority. Find resources, statistics, and stories at the link below.

Learn More

Support Black Owned Businesses

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