About 2021 (virtual) Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate

Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20th

7 AM - 4 PM

Location: On the Evanston, IL lakefront (or wherever you are)

The Race is on, but virtual this year! 

Due to advanced planning needs, YWCA Evanston/North Shore had to make the decision in March that it might be unsafe for us to come together as a community in June for the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate. Instead of coming together by the thousands on the field, we'll come together on the course over the course of a weekend!

Let's keep the spirit of the Ricky Byrdsong Race Against Hate strong.

Here's how to Race Against Hate this year:

  • Register for the Race ($25 for adults, $10 for youth 13 and under). Registration includes a Race tee shirt, and all registrants will be honored as Race Heroes on our website. Register here.
  • Reach out to your family, friends, and co-workers to ask them to join you on the course on Race weekend and to support the cause in any way they can. Create a team and capture that race spirit!
  • Fundraise to help support YWCA's critical mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Make a statement about your commitment to racial equity and violence prevention by making a donation yourself.
  • Run or walk the course on Race weekend between 7 am and 4 pm (or anytime in June that's convenient for you, and anywhere that you feel comfortable). You'll be in the socially distanced company of fellow Race Heroes, and you'll help lift the spirits of our communities by your determination to race against hate.
  • Embrace healing, community, and equity by tuning in from wherever you are to virtual learning events we have planned for June, including a free lunchtime conversation (Let's talk at Lunch) featuring Sherialyn Byrdsong. View our full calendar, and register here.

About the Race

Now in its 22nd year, the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate was launched to honor the legacy of Ricky Byrdsong and to bring attention to the need to combat hatred in all its forms. 

The Race Against Hate brings together thousands of people from all over Chicagoland to run and walk in unity against racial hatred and violence. Whether you’re a casual walker or a competitive runner, we need you on the course!

"One of Ricky’s favorite quotes, that he patterned his life after, and tried to instill in his family, friends and players was, “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it." This Race Against Hate is our 90%. We have responded to Ricky’s death in a way that would make him proud." -Sherialyn Byrdsong

Join us!

Date

Starts at:  June 19, 2021 9:00 AM
Ends at:  June 20, 2021 4:00 PM

Location

, USA

Contact

YWCA Evanston/North Shore
708-980-5887
raceagainsthate@ywca-ens.org

How Your Support Makes a Difference

Proceeds from the Race Against Hate are used to further the mission of YWCA Evanston/North Shore. Your donations:

  • support survivors of abuse in our domestic violence shelter 
  • help children in our schools and local youth organizations to challenge their own prejudices and foster healthy, violence-free relationships among their peers; 
  • provide teenagers with the skills they need to examine their own relationships and practice constructive ways to handle conflict and differences; and
  • encourage adults to engage in constructive dialogue, interactive activities and meaningful action to advance racial justice.

Thanks to our generous and steadfast sponsors for their continued support of the Race