Race Amity Day 

Lombard:

We started off a weekend of events for Race Amity Day on Saturday evening, June 7^th, with a potluck dinner and celebration. This event was co-sponsored by several of our partner organizations. The group Moms Demand Action provided volunteers to help with sign-in, setup, and cleanup. Approximately 40 people attended and participated in the program. The evening started with dinner and conversations. We asked the attendees to be sure to sit with people they did not know so that new friendships could be made.

After dinner, Mr. Michael Childress, current Vice-Chair of the DuPage County Board and also President of the DuPage chapter of the NAACP, provide a very inspiring talk, noting the importance of communicating with each other and working together. He noted that there is only one race: the human race.

Following this presentation, Eric Dozier, Musician, Keynote Speaker, Cultural Activist, Anti-racism Educator, and Itinerant Blues Preacher Leveraging the Power of Music to Promote Healing, Justice and Racial Reconciliation, presented a musical education performance that included the history of the music he performed, audience participation in many of the songs, and music featuring gospel, blues, and spirituals. The entire program was well received by those present.

Naperville:

On Race Amity Day, Sunday, June 8, 2025, the Naperville Planning Team of Illinois Citizens for Race Amity, partnering with the Bahá'ís f Naperville and Aurora, hosted a successful celebration that drew approximately 70 participants. The event opened with a moving duet sung by the Katana and Xcyden Merkel. The event continued with inspiring words from local community leaders, including Dr. Benjamin (Benny) Smith, a member of the Naperville City Council; Illinois State Representative Janet Yang Rohr; and County Board Member, Yeena Yoo. Each speaker emphasized the importance of collaboration in building strong, inclusive communities that welcome everyone.

Cultural activist, anti-racism educator, and former Harlem Gospel Choir Music Director, Eric Dozier, delivered a lively, captivating, and interactive musical performance, further sparking interest of the audiences with insights on music, history, and diverse musical styles.

Participants also participated in "Amity Bingo," a game designed to spark conversations between new acquaintances; and had the opportunity to add their handprints to a vibrant art piece featuring a large tree adorned with bold, bright multi-color handprints as leaves surrounding it. The eight feet tall art piece was inscribed with the caption, “We are all leaves of One Tree” at the bottom.

Overall, the Naperville event received enthusiastic feedback from attendees, who enjoyed the fun and engaging activities of the day.

Juneteenth

From all the area Juneteenth celebrations to attend this year, we chose to attend the one at Peoples Community Church in Glen Ellyn. We have several years of history becoming friends with that congregation, and we try to support their activities as often as possible. We weren't alone - there were perhaps 200 people attending from all around the Glen Ellyn area, with especially strong support from some of the other churches and the Glen Ellyn Village Board. Sadly only the two of us were Baha'is.

The church provided a simple supper for everyone in attendance. The pastor collaborated with a friend from COD, who provided a display of photos and historical details along an entire hallway so that people new to Juneteenth could gain a sense of the historical significance of the occasion.

After dinner we moved into the sanctuary for a rousing program full of music from several faith traditions, and scriptures presented by clergy from Second Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ churches.

The keynote address for the evening was a talk by the Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson, the National Director of PUSH for Excellence and Senior Advisor to the Rev. Jesse Jackson of Rainbow PUSH organization. She spoke about the realities in the daily lives of formerly enslaved people once they were officially informed of their freedom; after all, what was freedom if the only jobs they had were on the same plantations, for the same masters, that they had had before? Where else could they live instead of the same miserable slave quarters that they already lived in? How would they eat, or acquire clothing? Without funds, resources, transportation, what difference did this newfound freedom really make in their daily struggles? Physically, not much. Life was not easier day by day. The struggle for better lives continued. But knowing that they were indeed free gave hope, and hope makes many things possible.

Thanks,
Nancy

IL-3 Activities

From the Area Teaching Committee

IL03 Area Teaching Committee

Email : IL03clusterATC@gmail.com

Phone/WhatsApp : (630)4761437

IL-19 Activities 

IL-6 Activities

IL-20 Activities

IL-18 Activities

⋅ Evening Devotional

Hosted by Cliff and Linda Luxion on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9pm on zoom. 

Zoom Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81902451023?pwd=TG43ZjRVbGRjZmJmaHJ2aUdZMkVlQT09

Meeting ID: 819 0245 1023
Passcode: 322109

⋅Zoom Devotional

Hosted by Jim Percic and held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month at 11:30 am on Zoom.

Second Saturday:

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82308104531?pwd=RGdreHlCdHRINURnUlpZRHJFeTBpUT09

Meeting ID: 823 0810 4531

Passcode: 083485

Fourth Saturday:

Zoom Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85942921538?pwd=dGRwSWJQOWRlVGEwUUhwMjQzTkR0QT09

Meeting ID: 859 4292 1538

Passcode: 775333

⋅Zoom Children's Classes

Hosted by Linda Luxion 9 am  every other Sunday. 

Zoom Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82509805538?pwd=bDVSUU9BNklmNjIxOHd2WFF2cmcwZz09

Meeting ID: 825 0980 5538
Passcode: 738064Due to the holiday this months will be held Dec. 3 & 17.

⋅Online Connecting and Prayers

Hosted by the Luxions and held 9:00 am every Sunday on Zoom.

Zoom Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81902451023?pwd=TG43ZjRVbGRjZmJmaHJ2aUdZMkVlQT09

Meeting ID: 819 0245 1023
Passcode: 322109

⋅ First Friday Conversations

If you feel ready to engage in meaningful conversations about racism, what it looks like in the world and in ourselves, and what we must do to begin rooting it out, this is the place to come.

The doors open at 6:00 with the meeting starting at 7:00 pm. Zoom will be active at 6:45 for those who wish to stay home or are to far away to join us in person.

Pizza Served at 6:00 pm Meeting Start time: 7:00 pm

For the address contact NancyMcKee
         info@PizzaAndSocialJustice.org

Zoom Link:     https://zoom.us/j/326557993

Please send in any events, narratives, pictures, or arts that you would like shared! You can reach us at [email protected]