Technology enabled charitable group to thrive

If you’re a member of an under-represented group, chances are you have felt out of place at some point. For me, it was most evident when I moved to Evanston from Chicago in 2011 and struggled to meet people who looked like me.

I wanted to help improve representation for Black women, so I did the only thing I could to build a community with people I didn’t yet know. I turned to technology, launching a Facebook group to fill a void that has persisted far too long. And it worked.

Black Women of Evanston started as an online platform for women to forge friendships over coffee. However, it quickly transformed into a dynamic community of over 750 local women who are deeply committed to uplifting one another while giving back.

Now seven years later, Black Women of Evanston is an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose members are involved in some of Evanston’s most impactful philanthropic initiatives. On any given day, you can find us volunteering in local food banks, renting trolleys to visit and support local businesses and collecting self-care items for local shelters.

Our story perfectly illustrates the power of technology to convene and strengthen communities. The use of Facebook has allowed Black Women of Evanston to grow and become the organization it is today.

It is my hope that Congress considers stories such as ours when contemplating regulations on tech companies. I urge them to recognize the potential of platforms like Facebook in fostering community connections and aiding the work of organizers and nonprofits. It would be beneficial if policies were in place to encourage innovation and make technology accessible to those with limited resources and who may be unable to mobilize in person, which would result in stronger, more representative communities across Chicagoland.

Annette Jeter Jean-Jacques

Evanston