FirstRepair

Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (April 14-17, 2025)
2025-04-14 08:00 - 2025-04-17 17:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) is a United Nations-led platform dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of people of African descent worldwide. The upcoming fourth session will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, bringing together representatives from governments, civil society, and the UN to address issues such as racial discrimination, systemic inequalities, and historical injustices linked to enslavement and colonialism. This forum seeks to develop global strategies for justice, reparations, and sustainable development, aligning with the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034). Through expert discussions, policy recommendations, and advocacy, PFPAD is working to amplify Black voices, promote racial equity, and drive meaningful change.

National Reparations Strategy Session
2025-02-27 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | IL
Dr. Lakisha David will be joining us as this month’s speaker for our National Reparations Strategy Session!
This month’s topic: From Ancestral Roots to Reparative Policies: Genetic Genealogy in Action.

Mural Unveiling and Arts & Reparations Program
2025-02-22 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | FirstRepair National resource center, 1900 Asbury ave, Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
Join us for an afternoon of creativity, history, and activism as FirstRepair presents Reparations Are Due!, an exhibit by nationally celebrated artist Tonika Lewis Johnson. This powerful installation highlights the impact of systemic injustices and the ongoing fight for reparations, bringing historical narratives into contemporary conversations through art.
The fight for reparations is not just a policy discussion—it is also a cultural movement. Artists have long used their craft to document injustices, challenge historical narratives, and inspire action. Whether through murals, photography, music, or spoken word, art plays a vital role in amplifying voices, reclaiming history, and fostering community dialogue.

FirstRepair | AARN | ICTJ: Local Reparations Strategy Session
2025-01-23 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | IL

4th Annual Evanston Symposium for State and Local Reparations Leaders
2024-12-04 - 2024-12-06 | IL

November Reparations Strategy Session featuring Richard Brookshire: The Black Veterans Project
2024-11-21 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Register on Zoom

SAARC World of Repair
2024-10-26 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | IL

October Reparations Strategy Session
2024-10-24 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom

Robin Rue-Simmons Panelist - Loyola Chicago " Reckoning with History: Jesuit Slaveholding and the Present Work of Restorative Justice."
2024-10-18 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Information Commons 4th Floor, Lake Shore Campus Loyola University Chicago
Ms. Simmons’ panel is focused on the Praxis of Reconciliation. We would like to learn about Evanston and First Repair’s efforts in reconciling with its history.

Discovering Catharine, Inspiring Action Guest Speaker: Elisa Walker
2024-10-08 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | 1702 Chicago Avenue Evanston, IL 60201
Join us for a screening of the new film Discovering Catharine by Susan Hope Engel, which explores the life and legacy of Evanstonian Catharine Waugh McCulloch (1862 – 1945), an early female attorney, active Woman’s Club Member, and a fervent champion of women’s rights. Catharine’s extraordinary story will be used as a launching point for a post-film discussion with a multi-generational group of Evanston-based female activists and change-makers. Guest panelists include: Elisa Karen Walker: staff and board member at First Repair, Olivia Ohlson: Evanston Township High School senior and 2021 “Future of Evanston Award” winner, and more.

September Reparations Strategy Session featuring Tonika Johnson and Amber Hendley: The Folded Map Project
2024-09-26 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom

Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference PANELIST Reparations Now: America's Historical Unpaid Debt to Descendants of Formerly Enslaved Africans
2024-09-13 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Walter E. Washington Convention Center room 206, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States

Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference
2024-09-11 08:00 - 2024-09-15 17:00 (America/Chicago) | IL

August Reparations Strategy Session featuring Virginie Ladisch: Reparations in International Comparative Perspective
2024-08-22 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Virginie Ladisch is a senior expert in truth seeking and reparative justice at the International Center for Transitional Justice. She currently leads ICTJ’s work in the United Stated and its research and work on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). She has provided technical support to transitional justice processes in Australia, Canada, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Liberia, The Gambia, Kenya, Nepal, Tunisia, and Uganda.  Virginie has expertise in convening and facilitating dialogues to advance justice, particularly with marginalized groups.
Prior to joining ICTJ, Virginie was awarded a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship for independent research, during which she conducted fieldwork on truth commissions and reconciliation in South Africa and Guatemala.  Her work has been published in the International Journal of Transitional Justice, the Journal of Public and International Affairs, the Cyprus Review, and the Journal of the History of Childhood and Youth. Virginie Ladisch holds an M.A. in International Affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a B.A. in Political Science from Haverford College.
Register on Zoom

Race-specific Reparations Session
2024-07-30 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | IL

Reparations NOW podcast - Reflections on Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
2024-07-28 16:15 - 17:15 (America/Chicago) | IL

National Reparations Strategy Session
2024-07-25 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom

Midwest Strategy Session
2024-07-23 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom

FirstRepair Mural Unveiling
2024-07-16 16:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | FirstRepair Office, 1900 Asbury ave, Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
The FirstRepair headquarters in Evanston, Illinois is now wrapped in a vibrant mural representing the reparations movement and the historic steps of the Evanston community. Join us for our mural unveiling!

East Strategy Session
2024-07-16 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom

FirstRepair Tabling @ LUSH
2024-07-12 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Old Orchard Mall, Skokie, IL, United States

Black 2 San Francisco Summer Fellows HBCU Satellite
2024-07-09 11:00 - 14:00, 2024-07-08 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | 101 Howard, 101 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, United States

Evanston 4th of July Parade
2024-07-04 08:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Evanston, Evanston, IL

Evanston 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal
2024-07-04 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Evanston, Evanston, IL

June Reparations Strategy Session featuring ALäZ: Black Music Amplifying Reparations
2024-06-27 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom

Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC - Juneteenth Screening: The Big Payback
2024-06-17 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Edlavitch Jewish Community Center, Washington, DC
Get more information:
https://www.edcjcc.org/jxj/show/juneteenth-screening-the-big-payback/

FirstRepair Regional Reparations Retreat - Self Determination & Leadership
2024-06-13 - 2024-06-15 | Vernon AMC Church, 311 N. Greenwood, Tulsa, OK, United States

Juneteenth - Freedom Day
2024-06-11 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | IL

Enterprise Black Employee Network (EBEN) Juneteenth Celebration
2024-06-11 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Zoom Link:
https://enterprisecommunity.zoom.us/j/97977820185?pwd=[REDACTED]
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