Oak Park leaders urged to reach out to black, LGBT communities – Chicago Tribune

Oak Park, a village that prides itself on its diversity, has found itself in unfamiliar territory in the months following the April 4 election.

Former Oak Park village board members, African-American incumbents Peter Barber and Glenn Brewer, lost their bids for re-election. Former trustee Colette Lueck, an openly gay board member, chose not to run for another term.

The results left the Oak Park board with no African-American or lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender representation.

Some in Oak Park, a village with a diversity statement posted on its website, say current board members will have to make a significant effort to be sure local voices from those communities are heard. Lueck said it's likely been at least 20 years since the board has had no such representation.

Reesheda Washington, owner of the L!VE Cafe at 163 Oak Park Ave., said having a village board without members of color "is a collective loss" for the entire community.

"I think, oftentimes, we perceive that it is the black community who is missing something or lacking something if we don't have a black voice at the table," Washington said. "The reality is, we all suffer and miss nuancing that we all need, and that our lives would collectively be enriched by if we have more diversity present in conversations and decision making."

"It's not just the black community that suffers when black voices are not present, but that all of us really miss out on the beauty that happens when there is diversity available in the strategic planning and implementation in the village," she added.

Barber said it will be up to those now on the board to reach out to all of the village's 50,000-plus residents. Brewer noted that a "significant" portion of Oak Park's population now will no longer directly be represented on the village board. According to the village's website, Oak Park's population is made up of 67.7 percent white residents, 21.7 percent black residents, 5.8 percent Hispanic and about 5 percent Asian and American and Alaskan Indian.

"That includes getting out more into the community and talking with folks who probably aren't their close friends and neighbors," Barber said. "One of the things I was always sensitive [about] is we have a very large population of lower-income folks in Oak Park. They're influenced by the policies the board would put forth. A good example of this would be the parking sticker fees. Not everyone in Oak Park can afford to shrug off a $5 increase here or a $10 increase there."

Barber said a goal of his, and one he hopes the new trustees share, is to keep the village not only diverse, but accessible to everyone.

"It's something that's easily forgotten if you're not careful," Barber said.

Former trustee Brewer echoed those sentiments.

"As much as people would like to think they, and believe they can, represent everyone, I think they're going to have to be purposeful and intentional to make sure that all voices are heard and included," Brewer said. "They have to go above and beyond to be inclusive."

Brewer cited Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb's monthly forums at the Oak Park Public Library as one way village officials can stay connected to their constituents, but said such events are not the only way to reach out community members.

"All of the board members seem relatively adept at using social media," Brewer said. "I would advise them not to rely strictly on social media. There's a whole web of people young and old who do not use social media for expounding on their views. I think they have to be intentional in trying to have public forums or learn where there may be groups of people that meet and how you can become part of that group."

In her final board meeting in May, Lueck urged new board members to keep all of Oak Park in mind when making decisions at the board table.

"This is the first time in probably 20 years that I can remember there are no African-American or LGBT representation on this board," Lueck said. "I think the board has to create some ways of making sure they engage those voices in a very formal way. To say you're keeping them in your head is not good enough for me. You can say you're going to do it, but the reality is you cannot talk for them. If they don't have a way of expressing what they want here, it won't be heard."

Lueck, who had served two full terms as a trustee, said she believed it was time for someone new to sit on the village board, which was why she chose not to seek re-election.

Activist Anthony Clark, founder of the Suburban Unity Alliance who is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, said while having minority representation is important, he felt the election results were more about the village board's "perceived inability to listen to and speak for the public, and not because of their race."

"I believe that, moving forward, Oak Park will definitely see more minorities of all backgrounds stepping up and vying for leadership roles, which is important to me," Clark said. "But, in the meantime, current leadership should learn from the past election and recognize that simply being a minority isn't enough. You have to truly listen to and speak for your constituents, minorities and all."

Deno Andrews, who was one of the three new board members, along with Dan Moroney and Simone Boutet, voted in during the April election, said he has made time to speak with residents since his election, and encouraged interested residents to continue to reach out to him at his Felony Franks restaurant or through Facebook.

"I am confident I will be an effective leader in advancing equitable legislation and initiatives for all groups," Andrews said. "While Oak Park is certainly ahead of the curve in terms of diversity, we still have progress to make. I am motivated to work with every group that seeks equitable representation in our community."

Andrews pointed out the village recently flying the Pride Flag at Village Hall in honor of Pride Month as a way of showing how that population is valued in the village.

"While there is nobody from the LGBTQ community serving on the board at this time, the LGBTQ community is still valued, celebrated and served by this entire board," Andrews said.

Trustee Bob Tucker spoke on the matter in May, and pledged to keep the views and perspectives of his former colleagues in the council chambers while making future decisions.

"Those experiences and perspectives continue to be crucially important to our community," Tucker said. "That means in the months and years ahead, we at the table and you in the community need to be diligent that those perspectives and insights find their way to this table. Oak Park has always prided itself on diversity, and it's our responsibility to think about diverse options and perspectives as we conduct the village's business."

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Oak Park leaders urged to reach out to black, LGBT communities - Chicago Tribune