Evanston Reparations Committee welcomes new Eighth Ward member, honors longtime community volunteer Lois Wedlow and recognizes intern

The Evanston Reparations Committee introduced newly elected Eighth Ward alderman Matt Rogers as its newest council representative and recognized the life of long-serving community volunteer Sharia (Lois) Wedlow, while thanking staff and interns for supporting the committee's work.

"My name is Matt Rogers. I'm a board alderman, recently elected," Rogers said, introducing himself to the committee. He told members he is "still learning" and that the committee's work "directly affects the Eighth Ward and the people of the Eighth Ward." Rogers said he is on the committee to "learn, serve as an ally" and "do what we can to correct those" harms related to segregation.

Committee leaders announced that the city will prepare a resolution honoring Wedlow, widely known in the meeting as Mother Wedlow. Councilwoman Chrissy Harris spoke about the loss and the city response: "We're very committed to preparations and very committed to doing things in order properly. So it will be, a great loss for our city, and the city will be doing a resolution on her behalf that we will present later on." The committee provided biographical remarks noting Wedlow's long service at Mount Zion Baptist Church and New Trier High School and said family arrangements would be announced by Wedlow's family.

Chair Tashie Kerr also publicly thanked Dami Lola Olamaghi, who the committee presented to the meeting as a reparations intern. Olamaghi said she had worked with the reparations program for roughly two-and-a-half years while a Northwestern student and described the experience as formative: "My time at the working with reparations with the city has been amazing...And I hope that everything that I've learned here...I continue to connect with and and to grow upon that." Kerr and other members praised Olamaghi's contributions and said she would be presented with a small recognition.

Kerr reminded the public that the committee has three standing council seats (first, second and eighth wards) and four community stakeholder seats, and she encouraged community members interested in serving to apply through the city's website or contact the city clerk, Stephanie Mendoza, for more information. No formal personnel votes or motions were recorded at the meeting.