Evanston Rules

In Part Two of our two-part episode with TEEL, WILLIE and ALYSON MILLER, we continue to discuss their family history, achievements, challenges and commitment to make Evanston a better place for all. 

Missed Part 1? Listen here.

In our 10th episode, we talk with THE MILLER FAMILY: Teel, Willie and Alyson. Listen as we learn about how two prominent Evanston families, the Millers and the Spencers merged to bring humanity and humility to the place we call home.

Teel, Willie and Alyson dropped knowledge on us, talking about everything from opportunities to inequities. Join us as we delve into the Evanston experience from a perspective that is authentically black and proud. This is part one of a two part episode.

This week’s episode features ETHS (Evanston Township High School) students and recent graduates, past and present members of SOAR (Students Organized Against Racism), a student-led initiative to increase consciousness about social justice issues, anti-racism & empowering students in their racial identity development. 

We were blown away by Liana Wallace, Kayla Henning, Carmiya Bady, and Nora Miller,  who are the brightest of lights, as well as TaRhonda Woods, an engaged and revered SOAR facilitator and teacher at ETHS.

This was originally recorded with video as the kick-off to Evanston Township High School’s Booster Club’s first ever virtual fundraiser, Boosterpalooza. 

Please join in and support the important work that SOAR and other student organizations are doing at ETHS, by making a donation to help support these important programs. Please consider contributing here.

Anything helps! ETHS we will fight for you! 

Many thanks to Event Chairs, Evan Bernstein Finamore and Kim Dietz, and to Bonnie O'Malley Shapiro who were the catalysts for Evanston Rules engagement.

In Part Two of our two-part episode, we rejoin DINO ROBINSON from Shorefront Legacy Center who continues sharing stories from his experiences growing up in Evanston and his work at Shorefront. Dino’s work at Shorefront ensures that the Black experience along the North Shore is not forgotten or ignored. This work has always been important and is even more necessary in these divisive times. At Evanston Rules, we recognize the necessity of having a space to hold and treasure our histories.

Shorefront Legacy Center is a jewel of a facility that collects, preserves and educates people about Black History on Chicago’s suburban North Shore. Since 1995, Shorefront’s growing archive has and continues to inspire research on and about local Black communities. The Center holds over 250 linear feet of archival materials open for public use. 

Shorefront depends on donations for its important work. Our fundraising efforts have raised over $1,400 towards our $2,000 goal. Thank you for all your support thus far!

Now for some even better news, we have a challenge grant! Caroleen Feeney and The French American Charitable Trust, (F.A.C.T.) have generously pledged a one to one match, up to $15,000, to help build up Shorefront’s endowment held at the Evanston Community Foundation. This endowment will ensure the future stability of Shorefront’s operations and community service. Donate now to take advantage of the gift and have your money doubled!

In Part One of our two part 7th episode, we talk with DINO ROBINSON, a game changer who ensures the black experience along the North Shore is not forgotten or ignored. Dino didn’t see the contributions of Black people represented in the local historical societies, so he created Shorefront Legacy Center. The Legacy Center works to change that narrative and give Evanstonians (Heavenston) an opportunity to learn. Join us as we talk with Dino.

Shorefront Legacy Center is a jewel of a facility that collects preserves and educates people about Black History on Chicago’s suburban North Shore. Since 1995, Shorefront’s growing archive has, and continues to, inspire research on and about the local Chicago suburban North Shore Black communities. The center holds over 250 linear feet of archival materials open for public use. Shorefront depends on donations for its important work. Please help Evanston Rules show our appreciation for this necessary work and to reach our fundraising goal of $2,000 by making your donation today. Thank you!

In our 6th episode, “The Intersection of Medicine and Community”, we get to know Dr. Nancy Glick.

We trace Dr. Glick’s route from a humanities-focused student at ETHS to the director of the Sinai Infectious Disease Center at Mt Sinai in Chicago Illinois.

Nancy shares her valuable insights on the inner workings of the brutal fight against infectious diseases. We discuss the disparities in treatment for the Black and Latinx communities.

We also discuss biases and judgements and how nobody is free of them.

Family means the world to Nancy and she values the power of the connections that tie each generation to the next by honoring the old adage: What is remembered, lives.

Through it all, Nancy has been a warrior. Join us as we get to know an extraordinary Evanstonian fighting for equity on the front lines.

In our 5th episode, we feature Delores Holmes. Delores is a special human being, young at heart and in spirit. She is a steadfast champion of her community, beloved for her hard and constant work.

Delores might call herself retired, but based on how much her phone rang during our conversation, we would say she doesn’t seem to be slowing down one bit.

Join us and get to know Mrs. Holmes, a true trailblazer, amazing storyteller and an Evanstonian, through and through.

In our 4th episode we feature Bernie Foster.

Bernie Foster is a native son. An Evanstonian. The youngest of 9 siblings. A family man. We welcomed his cool, calm, collected, and thoughtful spirit as we sat down together.

Bernie is always solid. He shows up and has known that to make something happen, you don’t wait for it to come to you. You go after it.

We discuss life, joys, change, fear, belief, the changes in our city, some of the things that we hope for and not sitting on the sidelines.

We discuss the importance of mentors and role models, and the need to show up for those in need as people showed up for us. We remember black leadership in the Evanston community and those who literally paved the way and led by example.

Sit back and get to know Bernie. Come to understand.

This 3rd episode features one of our favorite families, The Crawfords: Sydney, Ron, Suzy, Jen and Ronny.

An iconic family who were able to bridge lots of cultural backgrounds and stitch the patterns together. They brought people together in magical, organic ways that spanned generations, race, ethnicity, gender and class. The Crawfords have been such an integral part of folk’s Evanston experiences, that people still don’t realize that they no longer reside at 1423 Elmwood.

Those who know them must submit that a little bit of the Crawford family is better than nothing at all. And for those who don’t know them, you’re welcome.

This episode features the legendary Hecky Powell, who died tragically from COVID -19, on May 22, shortly after this conversation was recorded. Hecky was a true blue Evanstonian whose actions made him a hero to many. He believed in people pulling themselves up by their bootstraps, but was always there to help others. He was elected to Evanston, Illinois’ District 65 school board, he created the Forest E. Powell Foundation to honor his father’s memory, he had a street named after him and from his restaurant, Hecky’s BBQ at the corner of Emerson and Green Bay Road in Evanston, he served a whole lotta deliciousness, coining the well known phrase “It’s the Sauce”, which is certainly true, but we submit that Hecky was and remains the magic in the mix.

In addition to the original podcast, we asked some of Hecky’s nearest and dearest to share their stories which follow directly after the podcast. If you have a story that you’d like to share about Hecky, please reach out to us at [email protected]