Over 80 residents from a dozen northern suburbs gathered together on a frigid Thursday evening, December 12, 2024, at the Art Center of Highland Park, to gain inspiration and organizing partners as we choose to take action for welcoming, just, and sustainable communities in the new year.
Read moreBeyond feel-good: embedding DEI in our suburbs, with Andrés Tapia
At the Justice Project’s quarterly Beloved Community Roundtable, Andrés Tapia, a Senior Client Partner and Korn Ferry’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategist, outlined ways we can foster equitable, inclusive and diverse suburbs that last.
Read moreJustice Project Launches Quarterly Roundtables: Focus on Culture of Listening
Building a Network of Mutuality
How do social justice causes get support from elected officials? How do we create a culture of collaboration between grassroots groups and City Hall? Thirty residents from eleven suburbs heard from Trustee Heather Ross of Northbrook, who made the transition from a grassroots activist to an elected official, about what she has learned being now on the "inside" about what works and what doesn't in advocacy to the Village Board; and from Rick Marsh of Community Alliance for Better Government in Evanston.
Read moreWalking the Diversity Talk in the Suburbs: The Case for Human Relations Commissions
Wilmette Community Relations Commission logo, 1994. This design became the 1996 Wilmette car sticker after years of controversy. "I do not feel this is an issue of political correctness, but of being an open and welcoming community," said CRC Chair Bobbie Friedman (Chicago Tribune, https://bit.ly/3mOOCsY)
One would think that in the wake of pan-racial demonstrations in support for Black lives last year, Chicago's northern suburbs would have included among their anti-racism pledges plans to create or beef up their human relations commissions. But we've gone backward in Evanston, Highland Park, and Northbrook. The rest of the northern suburbs are no better. Only Wilmette heeded the call. This article by the Justice Project's Gail Schechter is a call to action.
Read moreThe Justice Project: Yesterday, Today, and into the Future
After two+ years of planning, Curt’s Cafe Highland Park officially opened October 29, 2019. This ribbon cutting ceremony includes Highland Park Mayor Nancy R. Rotering and HP Chamber of Commerce representatives. “Big kudos to the Highland Park team for their sincere effort to bring the mission of Curt’s Cafe to their community.” (Courtesy, Curt’s Cafe)
From its inception the Justice Project founders were seeking a meaningful way to mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech before thousands on the Winnetka Village Green. This meant a long-term commitment to correct wrongs that still exist. It also meant putting new life into a grassroots organizing campaign for our time. Timed with spring and re-birth, the campaign seeks to engage more residents and go deeper into the issues that get in the way of being a WELCOMING Community here in Chicago’s north suburban region.
Read moreShare the Pi(e): Vote Your Values!
By engaging in the doings of your community and standing with neighbors in all our diversity, you are breaking the silence of the good people. In anticipation of the April 6th local elections, participants from Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Wilmette, and Winnetka reflected on the Principles of the Welcoming Community and where they would like to see elected officials focus.
Read moreA Vote for Joe Biden is a Vote for Justice
The Justice Project: The March Continues, a grassroots network of north suburban residents, endorses Joe Biden for President. While we work to make sure no one’s vote is uncounted or suppressed, we must as individuals and as an organization, speak JUSTICE with our votes.
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