Thank You for Your Support!
Community Service Honorees
Dave Davis
Dave brings a legacy of strategic vision and community transformation. His role in various projects has not only led to significant economic developments but also fostered a culture of inclusion and partnership between Northwestern University and the broader Evanston community. His initiatives have left an indelible mark on the fabric of Evanston, enhancing the quality of life for its most vulnerable residents and setting a benchmark for university-community relations.
Since taking the helm of the Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations at Northwestern University in 2018, Dave has been a transformative figure in reshaping the University's relationship with the City of Evanston. Dave's leadership has been pivotal in deepening the University's partnership with nonprofit organizations, community groups, school districts, business associations, and faith-based institutions. His efforts have channeled over $5M towards supporting Evanston's marginalized communities since 2018, leveraging the University's strong brand equity to attract local investments and stimulate economic growth.
As the Community Engagement Lead for the landmark Ryan Field project. Dave skillfully executed a comprehensive advocacy strategy, leaning into his coalition building skills, and government relations expertise to help secure City Council approval, ensuring the project's success as a year-round community asset with substantial economic benefits for the City of Evanston.
Under Dave's leadership, the Evanston Guaranteed Income Program has emerged as a pioneering initiative. His dynamic approach in securing funding and co-creating the program with City leadership has made a tangible impact on the lives of Evanston's most vulnerable residents.
Demonstrating a deep commitment to social justice, Dave has been instrumental in establishing and managing this critical program. Due to his efforts, this program has distributed over $1.5M in funding to programs that address the root cause of racial injustice and promote community engagement.
Lisa M. Altenbernd & Hon. Stephen H. Hagerty
Lisa Altenbernd and Stephen Howard Hagerty moved to Evanston in August 1999 for Lisa to attend a graduate program at Northwestern University. Between the two of them they knew no one in Evanston or Chicago. No family. No friends. Four years later, with Lisa pregnant with their first child, they made a fateful decision to settle down and call Evanston home. Why? Honestly, they couldn't afford to live in a comparable community outside of Boston, closer to where Steve grew up, and they very much wanted to live in one of the best urban ring cities in America. A city which offered a world-class university, proximity to a world-class city, access to water, an economically, racially, and ethnically diverse community, and excellent schools. Evanston offered all that and more.
Since then, Lisa and Steve have fully committed themselves to Evanston. Lisa, a graduate of Leadership Evanston, has chaired the Evanston Community Foundation Board, the Y Women annual event, helped stand-up and lead the C&W Market Foundation focused on reducing food insecurity, and supported numerous other organizations, such as Evanston Latinos, with special projects. Since the pandemic she has volunteered practically every Saturday morning at the C&W Market Food pantry.
Steve founded Hagerty Consulting two years after arriving in Evanston and together with a remarkable group of long-time, dedicated employees grown it into one of nation's leading emergency management consulting firms that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. He has served in a leadership role for some of the nation's largest and most historic disasters, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and COVID-19. Due to the capable team in place at Hagerty, Steve turned over the day-to-day operations to his senior management team in order to run for and serve as the 21st Mayor of Evanston.
Together, Lisa and Steve have offered their time, talent and treasure to numerous Evanston organizations seeking to uplift the Black community, such as the Warren "Billy" Cherry Fund, Justin Wynn, the NAACP, the Chessman, AKA Sorority, the Foster Senior Club, and Shorefront, as well as advocated for and supported, many equity and empowerment initiatives, including reparations, affordable housing, youth development, expunging records, a guaranteed income pilot program and Black entrepreneurship. Says Lisa and Steve, "Our lives are richer because we made that fateful decision years ago to call Evanston home; to help our community live up to its progressive ideals of being a vibrant, just, and equitable place for everyone."
Helen “Kitty” Glass Fulce & Clarence Fulce
Helen and Clarence have deep roots in Evanston and have spent their lives giving back to the community.
Kitty has shared her talents as an educator and advocate for families in our community. She attended Foster Elementary, Skiles Jr. High, and ETHS, and University of Illinois and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education, and Multicultural Studies from National College of Education. She went on to earn dual Master’s Degrees from National Louis U. in Reading and Behavior Disorders and many advanced certifications.
After teaching in the Chicago Public Schools, Kitty oversaw a Title 1 Reading Program at the IL Psychiatric Institute. She later returned to Evanston and taught 7/8 graders at Chute Middle School, 3/4th graders, at Lincoln, and 6/7/8 graders at Haven. After 36 years of teaching, Kitty retired in 2008.
Since retiring, she has devoted more time to Evanston area youth/parents as Education Consultant/ Advocate. She once served as Head Cheerleading Coach for the Skokie Raiders and is an avid supporter of FAAM Basketball League. She is a Founding member of the Evanston Coalition of Black Women, served on the City of Evanston’s Human Relations Commission, and on the Board of The Harbour. Kitty is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Deacon Kitty’s is a member of the Second Baptist Church Evanston and for 43 years, has diligently served and supported varied ministry programs focused on youth.
Clarence Fulce attended Dunbar Vocational HS. After graduation he joined the United States Navy and served 4 years, where he worked as a Communications Expert and received an honorable discharge. He then enrolled at Olive Harvey Community College and studied accounting. He later became a Patrolman for the EPD where he was committed to service until retirement. Clarence attended Kendall College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. After suggesting that cultural diversity/sensitivity training was needed in police business, Clarence attended IL State Training School where he became a Trainers for Cultural Diversity. Clarence also joined the state appointed team of Cultural Diversity Trainers who worked together to train police in cities throughout the United States. When promoted to Sergeant, Clarence attended Northwestern University’s School of Staff and Command. Passionate about his commitment to serve the Evanston community fairly with dignity and integrity, he gave his best and lead by example for 33 years.
Now as spectator, he watches the sport (regardless of level) in person and on TV quite frequently; and continues as a caring FAAM coach whose tenure has amassed 50 years... and counting. He “loves the game.” FAAM honored Clarence’s 50th year coaching the “76ers” by renaming their annual All-Star Game after him. What an honor!
Clarence and Kitty are parents to Tracy and Sean. They have 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
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Photos by Evanston Photographic Studios
