The Crown Family School and WTTW invite you to join us for a free screening of the newly-released film, The Big Payback, which tells the story of Robin Rue Simmons, a council member in Evanston, who led the passage of the first tax-funded reparations for Black Americans. Following the screening of the film, join us for a moderated conversation about the reparations movement with Ms. Simmons and the film’s two co-directors, Erika Alexander and Whitney Dow. Light food and refreshments will be served.

Robin Rue Simmons is the Founder and Executive Director of FirstRepair, a not-for-profit organization that informs local reparations, nationally. She serves as the chairperson of the City of Evanston’s Reparations Committee and led the passage of the nation’s first municipally funded reparations legislation for Black residents, which began disbursements in January 2022.

Erika Alexander is an award-winning actress (Living Single, Get Out, The Cosby Show) who makes her directorial debut with this film. She serves as a board member for One Fair Wage and Exponent and is closely involved with several other national racial justice organizations.

Whitney Dow is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and educator, whose work has focused on race and identity for more than two decades.

This event is free, but RSVP is required.