First Church of God Christian Life Center on Simpson Street was the place to be on Friday night where a group of Evanston pastors and special guests, backed by the Evanston Own It choir, raised the roof in song to raise funds for the City's youth summer employment program.
The event, Evanston Sings, which usually takes place in the ETHS auditorium, has been an annual happening since 2017, but hadn't taken place since 2019 because of the pandemic.
The brainchild of the late Pastor Zollie Webb of Friendship Baptist Church of Evanston of Evanston, Evanston Sings is a key effort of Evanston Own It, an organization of pastors and community leaders primarily from Evanston's 2nd and 5th wards that was founded in 2015 to engage the community and help prevent youth violence.
This year, to honor Pastor Webb's memory, Clifford Wilson, pastor of Mt. Pisgah Ministry and Evanston Own It president, bestowed the first annual Zollie Webb Community Outreach Award to former 5th ward Council Member Delores A. Holmes and her daughter Kimberly Holmes-Ross for their years of work. The moment was emotional as Webb, who died on September 4, was remembered, and because each awardee knew only that the other was to receive the award.
The event ran long, almost two hours, and was live-streamed on First Church's Facebook page. You can watch the entire event here, or watch highlights above, with all the singers (including a rap by Second Baptist Evanston's Pastor Michael Nabors) and the award-giving captured.
Missed the event? You can still donate!
If you'd like an Evanston Own IT t-shirt or sweatshirt, contact Sherry Gregory at 847 971-9784.
Thanks to Sherry L Gregory, Sherria Wedlow, Sharona Walker, Arlene Jones Michelle Frazier Cain, James Davis, Linda Ridley, Walter Edwards, Pastor Joseph L Roberts II, Randy Roebuck, and Mrs. Lou Haliburton for a beautiful event. And thanks to all the pastors and performers each of whom was outstanding!
Don't miss next year's event!
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