WHO WE ARE

In 2018, the director of Evanston's outreach program for at-risk youths, Kevin Brown, was unjustly terminated. Community Organizer Rick Marsh began voicing his concerns during public. Frustrated at the process and feeling ignored by city officials, Rick met with Evanston residents Oliver Ruff, Bennett Johnson, and Gail Schecter, who had also protested Brown's firing, to determine the best course of action. Their answer was the founding of Community Alliance for Better Government, a grassroots organization focusing on increasing transparency in local politics with a focus on equity.

Since then, Community Alliance for Better Government has expanded significantly in membership and board capacity electing scores of candidates committed to equity and transparency in local government. CABG has hosted town halls, informational sessions on key issues, and has successfully advocated free beach access, affordable housing, and hazard pay for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about CABG leadership below and get involved.

Board of Directors

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

President

Sebastian Nalls (he/his)

Sebastian Nalls is a community activist and 22 year resident of Evanston’s 9th Ward. He attended Purdue University graduating with Bachelor degrees in Accounting and Political Science with a minor in Sociology. Sebastian previously ran for Mayor of Evanston. Since then, he has worked with a variety of local organizations and advocacy groups to pursue progressive changes in Evanston while working in the Governor of Illinois’ Office of Equity.

Vice President

Bennett Johnson (he/his)

Bennett Johnson is one of Evanston’s most well-known community activists, having lived in Evanston for most of his life. He was a key figure in the civil rights period in Chicago and nationwide. He continues to work to ensure a positive future for Evanston and its Black community.

Secretary

Trisha Connolly (she/hers)

Trisha Connolly is a recently retired librarian from District 65. Her interest in community activism began during the push to close the Evanston Hospital incinerator in 2004. She has been active in several organizations over the years, including No Park Sale, Save Harley Clarke, and Evanston Lakehouse and Gardens. She is currently acting secretary for Feeding the Village, a non-profit organization based in Evanston.

Treasurer

Kathy Hayes (she/hers)

Kathy has focused on public policy, advocacy, nonprofit programming, direct services, and leadership for over 24 years, and is dedicated to advocating for those whose voices have been marginalized and advocating for underserved communities. She is skilled in strategic planning, public relations, organizational design and facilitation, collaborative project solutions, and a broad understanding of the community system, and resources.

Board Member

Lesley Williams (she/hers)

Lesley Williams is a 30-year Evanston resident, librarian, writing instructor, discussion facilitator and racial equity advocate. She has served as a board member for Family Matters in the North of Howard area, the Evanston United Way, the Evanston Children’s Choir, Muse of Fire Theatre and Interfaith Action of Evanston, and as co-president of Open Communities, the North Shore’s HUD certified fair housing organization.

Board Member

Gail Schechter (she/hers)

Gail Schechter has been a local and national leader in fair, affordable, and intergenerational housing; enforcement and investigation of housing discrimination; housing development; and community organizing for decades. Gail currently serves as the Executive Director of the Chicago-based nonprofit, Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.). She is one of the co-founder of CABG.

Board Member

Allie Harned (she/hers)

Allie Harned’s passion for community activism grew from her role as a social worker for District 65, where she witnessed how decisions made by local governments can harm the everyday lives of the children and families she supports. Leading two local ballot initiatives has inspired a belief in the power of direct democracy and the importance of elevating the voices of the people of Evanston, especially those who are historically most marginalized by the effects of systemic racism.

Board Member

Kevin Brown (he/his)

Kevin Brown is the Senior Director of External Affairs and Community Partnerships at the Safer Foundation and has been a member of the Evanston community since 1981. As former City of Evanston Community Services Manager between 2012-2018, he helped build one of the most successful youth development programs in America. He is co-founder of Evanston Rejects Racist Reparations, and on the boards of Citizens Network of Protection and the Democratic Party of Evanston.

Board Member

Mary Rosinski (she/hers)

Mary is a 32-year Evanston resident, 40 year North Shore real estate broker, community organizer, and mother of 5. As a community organizer she has been a founding member and on the board of organizations such as Central Street Neighbors, Evanston Public Library Friends, Dajae Coleman Foundation and Jens Jensen Garden in Evanston. As a 40 real estate broker and member of the North Shore Board of Realtors, and is on the board of the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee and also Government and Political Action committee.

Board Member

Nick Korzeniowski (he/his)

Nick has been an Evanstonian for over a decade. He worked for Apple before making the change to the education sector where he’s been a Network Engineer managing various K-8 school districts. He has served on the boards of several organizations such as Indivisible Evanston and the Southeast Evanston Association. He’s also a charter member of the non-for profit Dine After Dark which encourages food establishments to remain open late during Ramadan as a way to encourage inclusive business practices.

Board Member

Jersey Shabazz-Hosier (he/his)

Jersey-Shabazz Hosier is a thought leader where strategy meets justice. He is born and raised in Rogers Park, Chicago. He is passionate about program and system design, policy development and implementation, and intersectional feminist leadership practices. He brings 9 years of scaling up projects and initiatives with intentionality and inclusion in academic settings, communities, organizations and in governance. He currently serves as Board President for a Democratic Free School on the Southside of Chicago and is a consultant and thought partner to work related to equity, policy, and how we translate values into actions