Evanston Fight for Black Lives is an activist group led by Evanston youth that formed in June 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, when racial justice demonstrations and conversations about White Supremacy in America were taking shape across the country. The group focuses on pursuing abolition and justice for the Black community, holding marches, virtual conversations, sit-ins, and more to help further their cause.

Evanston Township High School grads and EFBL organizers Mollie Hartenstein and Nia Williams discuss what it’s like being a young activist, what abolition means to them, and how they’ve been working through EFBL to combat inequality and injustice in Evanston. We’ll also discuss the concept of mutual aid and how EFBL is working to promote it with projects like Evanston’s Community Fridge.  

To learn more, follow Evanston Fight for Black Lives on Instagram and Facebook. 

Dr. Michael Allen is the principal of Oakton Elementary School in Evanston. In 2020 he was named Elementary Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association. Dr. Allen grew up in the projects of Zion, Illinois and experienced homelessness in childhood. Today he sees himself as a voice for and to empower marginalized people, both students and leaders. He’s the author of Brotherly Love, published in 2020. This book for middle graders describes the true story of how he helped his struggling youngest brother by removing him from an unstable home life, advocating for him, and enrolling him in high school in Valparaiso, Indiana where Michael himself was an undergraduate in college. This challenging experience, born out of love, made Dr. Allen realize his life’s mission: to be there for those who are vulnerable and to liberate everyone searching for the freedom to be themselves. 

To learn more about the book Brotherly Love and Dr. Allen's powerful story go to: brotherlylovebook.com

Director, actor, and playwright Tim Rhoze is the Producing Artistic Director of Evanston’s Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre. Tim has directed and produced more than 30 productions during his tenure and also written, co-written, and directed world premiere performances. Tim has performed at theatres including Chicago’s Goodman, Victory Gardens, Northlight, Steppenwolf, and Broadway’s Manhattan Theatre Club. You may have seen him on Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago PD, and The Practice to name just a few TV shows in which he’s appeared. Enjoy this beautiful, resonant storyteller discuss his path to a life as an actor, director, and writer, starting out in Detroit and making his way to Chicago. We also talk about the current moment in the struggle for racial equity, the hope that our youth inspire, and why true activism around racism is a full-time endeavor. To learn more about Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, please go to fjtheatre.com.