Read It and Meet Evanston: A Book Club Meeting led by Cheryl Judice

We are excited to announce the second meeting of our Read It & Meet Evanston Book Club! Each meeting is led by a guest host, a different leader or personality from the Evanston community, who chooses the book to be discussed and leads the conversation. The goal is to gather a book-loving community to meet people behind the scenes or in the spotlight by engaging in thoughtful conversation about a meaningful work of literature or nonfiction. Attendance will require purchasing the book from our store and three free books will be made available to attendees who may not be able to purchase a book. Participants will be expected to have read the book in advance! These meetings are not intended to be lectures about the books, but rather discussions by people who’ve done some homework!

The second meeting will be led by Cheryl Y. Judice, an adjunct professor at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy and a longtime Evanston resident. She selected The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray for discussion. This research-based historical novel depicts the unlikely friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist, Mary McLeod Bethune. These two women were early champions of numerous civil rights initiatives which still impact our lives today.

Judice holds a PhD in sociology from Northwestern University and has taught sociology, social psychology, and African American studies at Lake Forest College, Northeastern Illinois University, and Northwestern University. Her research focuses on the intersections of race, class and gender. She has written two books, Interracial Marriages Between Black Women and White Men, and Interracial Relationships Between Black Women and White Men.

In 1983, Judice and her husband, Hecky Powell, opened the legendary Hecky's Barbecue on the corner of Green Bay Road and Emerson Street. 40 years later, the restaurant is a cultural institution and Evanston landmark. Judice and Powell together acted as civic leaders and youth mentors. They helped establish the Evanston Work Ethic Program in 2017, which assists Evanston youth in finding vocational trianing through workshops, mentorship, and paid internships.

At the meeting, Cheryl Judice will give a short book talk, followed by discussion with the other members. Attendees are also encouraged to submit questions in advance to help shape the discussion.

About the ticket levels:

Book club admission plus 1 copy of the book: $22

Admission + Scholarship book donation (helps make free copies available for some attendees): $27

Scholarship admission (free to register, 3 attendees will be selected at random from this list 10 days before the date of the book club meeting and the book will be available for them to pick up at the store. Winners must agree to attend the meeting.): Free

The second meeting will take place on Thursday, October 10 at 6:00 PM, with an informal Happy Hour from 5-6 PM. Books are available for pickup in-store after your registration.

Host or Publisher Bookends & Beginnings