This year, I am honored and excited to be running in the 20th annual Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate sponsored by the YWCA Evanston/North Shore. Each year, the Race Against Hate brings together thousands of people from all over Chicagoland to run and walk in unity against racial hatred and violence.

The Race memorializes Ricky Byrdsong, former Northwestern University men's basketball coach, who, while walking with two of his children, was murdered by a white supremacist. The Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate was launched to honor his legacy and bring attention to the need to combat hatred in all of its forms.

Now, more than ever, I believe we must focus our efforts to educate and invigorate all generations to speak out against hate.

All proceeds from the Race Against Hate benefit YWCA Evanston/North Shore, in particular its racial justice programming and violence prevention education for young people. For information about YWCA Evanston/North Shore and its programs, you can visit www.ywca-ens.org.

Would you be willing to sponsor my run as I Race Against Hate? Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up! I greatly appreciate your support (financial and otherwise) and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you!

Rebekah