Join us at the Evanston History Center as we kick off Black History Month with a presentation by historian Rhonda K. Craven who will highlight both the well-known and lesser known Black health professionals who lived and worked in Evanston from the late 19th century to 1930. Craven will explore this history while also providing a snapshot of health care challenges faced by Black Evanstonians that eventually led to the establishment of local institutions.

Rhonda K. Craven is the Historian at the Second Baptist Church of Evanston. She has written articles and profiles, provided assistance for a number of research projects, and performed portrayals of church members. Much of her focus has been to share information about the early days of Evanston to provide a wider scope of the activities, professions, challenges, and triumphs of Black Evanstonians that people may not know about.