Community Project Seeks to Educate Evanston on Black History

EVANSTON, Illinois, JANUARY 2018 – In recognition of 2018 Black History Month, the Center for the Church and the Black Experience at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Northwestern University, and numerous African American churches and organizations have worked collaboratively to create a community project entitled, “Out of the African Diaspora to Evanston, Illinois: A Mosaic of Human Community.” This month-long event aims to educate and inform the Evanston community, particularly youth and young adults, on Black history.

Using the Stations of the Cross to situate the history of Black Americans, participants will experience Black history from the origins of humankind in Africa to events as recent as NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protest. Through various productions and representations—historical texts, art, photographs, artifacts, teaching, preaching, Bible study, and Scriptures—participants will explore and discuss key historical moments and movements in Black American history.

“The work between Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Northwestern University, African American churches and community institutions is a unique and exciting way to collaboratively do mass education, leadership development, and relationship building,” said Rev. Dr. Angela Cowser, assistant professor of the sociology of religion and director of the Center for the Church and the Black Experience. “The entire design team has produced joy and gladness in our work together, and we hope that the relationships and collaborations will continue well into the future.”

The Design Team for this project are Evanston-based academics and scholars, pastors, professionals, community organizers, musicians, artists, and seminarians. Through this collaborative project the Design Team’s work was guided by three goals:

• Find, develop, and deepen leaders
• Educate and reeducate the Evanston community, particularly youth and young adults, on Black history
• Build productive relationships and collective power between Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Northwestern University, Evanston churches, and councils interested in the thriving of Black people

An opening plenary will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Dr. Larry Murphy, professor emeritus of the history of Christianity at Garrett-Evangelical, will deliver the keynote address entitled, “Have You Got Good Religion?” This keynote will help set the stage for the 10 Evanston Stations to follow throughout the month of February.

A closing worship and plenary will be held at Second Baptist Church in Evanston on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. Michael Nabors, senior pastor at Second Baptist Church of Evanston, will preside at the service. The plenary will culminate in a celebration of music led by Kelly Tiebout and La’Quentin Jenkins of Garrett-Evangelical.

All in the Evanston community are welcome to attend any or all of these events at no cost. To learn more about each of the 10 Evanston Station and more about this community project, please visit MosaicOfHumanCommunity.com.