Thank you for joining us for our 2025 Ladies First: A Tribute to Black Women of Evanston and the North Shore. The FREE concert featured renowned gospel singer, coloratura soprano Tramaine Parker, and was held at Lula B. Sherman UMC on Sunday, March 30th at 3:00 PM. We are proud to to have presented this concert in partnership with the Holmes family, and with Shorefront Legacy Center and Evanston Own It. You can watch the full concert here and read and Evanston RoundTable article about the concert.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR
Why we chose the name "Ladies First" for the event.
Just like Queen Latifah and Monie Love boldly declared in their groundbreaking anthem "Ladies First," we're celebrating the Black women who've always been at the forefront of change in Evanston and on the North Shore.
These strong sisters have transformed our community through their brilliance, determination, and unwavering leadership. The song's message rings true here—when Black women lead, amazing things happen.
From education to activism, arts to business, their powerful voices and visionary work deserve the spotlight. As the lyrics remind us, "Some think we can't flow, but we've been running things for years."
In the spirit of the iconic track that challenged stereotypes and declared the strength of Black womanhood in 1989, we're honoring those who've stood strong against obstacles and broken barriers in our community. These women, like the "feminine rebels" celebrated in the song, have made history while uplifting others along the way.