Laurice Bell

Laurice Bell was born in Chicago, but considers herself a true Evanstonian, having moved to Evanston at the age of five to be closer to her father’s business, Laury’s Records. She was a member of the ETHS class of 1980. She moved to Los Angeles in the late 80s, but family and her love of her hometown has kept her coming back. Laurice has used her branding and marketing skills in music, fashion and entertainment working with many corporations and nonprofits. Laurice is honored to have been appointed Executive Director of Shorefront Legacy Center, a jewel on Chicago’s North Shore, whose mission is to collect and preserve black history of residents and to educate all.

Sholo Beverly

Sholo Beverly was born on the Southside of Chicago in 1968, and raised on the Northshore of Chicago. I was an artist at a young age, influenced by my mother who was a floral and interior designer. As a self-taught mixed media artist and mother of two, art and family has been a priority for the last thirty years. I have learned to embrace my mistakes, revealing a better understanding of what the universe wants for my art. I rebelled against rules of techniques while in art school, resulting in creating utopian painted environments echoing my love for fashion, textiles, women, and patterns.

Leelai Demoz

Leelai Demoz is the COO and Founding Partner of Highwire Media, a production company producing Film, TV, and Broadway theater. Prior to that he served as the Associate Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre. He has founded 3 production entities producing a variety of programs including, feature films, documentaries, TV series, and over 300 commercials.

Nina Wade

Nina Wade is the heart and soul behind Free Flow Kitchen, opening soon at 1623 Simpson St., Evanston, where her passion for cooking, creativity, and community will shine in every dish. Born and raised in Chicago, Nina grew up inspired by her mother, a supervisor for the Chicago Housing Authority’s summer food program and an excellent cook in her own right. Her mother also loved collecting encyclopedic cookbooks, like the Women’s Day series, which were readily available at home. As a child, Nina would spend hours flipping through the pages, captivated by the vibrant pictures and inspired by the endless possibilities of what could be created in the kitchen.