In the mid to late 1960's and early 1970's, Black families began moving into the Englewood neighborhood which at that time was predominately Caucasian. As we began to live, affiliate and utilize the area, it became obvious to us that we were not welcomed. In other words families began feeling the repercussions of prejudices. So we as a Black people although scarcely scattered throughout the neighb
orhood at that time began to bond together. We eventually met a peaceful activist by the name of Pauline Carr (may she continue to rest in peace) who organize ,mentored, and coached us to use our energies for the good. She formed boys and girls softball teams and took advantage of other park district programs. Although that did not minimize the harsh discrimination we received, it taught us how to have love for one another. And then one day in the mid 1970's the Carr family seemed to just disappear. Carr and her children went. We searched and searched to no avail. So we as neighbors continued to instill and portray the legacy she left us. In the year of 1985 Patricia (Redmond then) Mitchell, Carmenlita (then Evans) now Poole, Buthchie and Bobbie Watkins now all grown up and had moved away from the Englewood neighborhood, noticed that love ones were losing their lives as well as dying too young on top of being inspired by the Legacy of Mrs. Carr decided to form the neighborhood reunion. They planned a three day event around the third weekend in August. On Friday a meet -n- greet in a vacant lot on the the block of 59th and Paulina, a dress up gathering on Saturday at a supper club, and on Sunday a picnic at one of the neighborhood parks. Well that went over so well that they was asked of the neighbors to please continue to have the events. That is when they came up with name, "The 59th Street Neighborhood Reunion." So in other words Patricia Mitchell, Carmenlita Poole, Butchie and Bobbie Watkins continued the events on the strength of representing the EW neighborhood and in honor of the Legacy of Pauline Carr. Patricia, Carmenlita, Butchie, and Bobbie now have a committee of 30 to 40 members who help with these events. Last but truly not least in the year of 2011 I, Blonnita Poole (one of the committee board members) continued searching for the Carr family, and via of Facebook was able to track down (after 40 years of searching) a son of Mrs. Carr and got in touch with a couple more of his siblings. That is when I found out that her family had been threatened too many times and she moved to another state in the middle of the night and left no traces and continue to raise her family for fearing she would loose her children to the threat she encounter in the Englewood community. Sorrowfully that's when I found out that Mrs. Carr had passed away in the year of 1985. So fate was predestined since that's when The 59th Street Neighborhood Reunion was born. We just celebrated 28 years with zero tolerated incidents. All of these years would not have been possible if God didn't have it in the plan. So I say real loud....TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THINGS HE HAS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
