Racial Justice Summit Coming To Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — YWCA Evanston North Shore is on a mission to eliminate racism. To work toward that goal, the group announced earlier this month it will host its second-ever racial justice summit April 6-7 at the Unitarian Church of Evanston.

“The summit is the only one of its kind on the North Shore,” said Donique McIntosh, YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s director of equity and inclusion.

“We are interested in engaging as many people as possible, particularly young people, in coming together to imagine new ways to work for change," she said. "There is no more ‘business as usual’ with racial justice work. We need to think about doing things differently.”

Last year's inaugural event was attended by more than 170 people, the group said. This year's summit is set to build on that event. It's titled “(Re)imagining” and invites activists, educators, faith leaders, practitioners, and artists to brainstorm new ways to work toward racial justice. The event will also include local artists – poets, rappers, musicians – to help foster creativity and innovative ideas, according to the YWCA.

“This year also has a local focus. Our speaker and our breakout session leaders are all doing innovative things right here in the Chicago area,” Mcintosh said.

The summit begins on Thursday, April 6, at with a reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by a showcase of artists at 6:30 p.m..

On Friday, April 7, the event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the followed by a keynote address by Charlene A. Carruthers at 9:00 a.m. Carruthers is the national director of Black Youth Project 100, an activist-based organization of black 18-35-year-olds headquartered in Chicago.

Friday’s schedule also includes breakout sessions on racial justice issues, skill building for equity work, and creating action plans.

To learn more about this year's racial justice summit at the Unitarian Church at 1330 Ridge Avenue, to see videos of last year's summit, or to sign up to attend call 847-864-8445 or visit the YWCA website.

» via YWCA Evanston/NorthShore