Staff Board of Trustees
On November 18, Heights Community Congress presented Reginald Evans the prestigious Bernice and Lacy Lott Memorial Award for Outstanding Citizen of Cleveland Heights-University Heights.
Reggie, president of Reaching Heights’ Board of Trustees, received the award — presented annually since 1983 — from previous Lott honoree Susie Kaeser, former executive director of Reaching Heights.
In nominating Reggie for the award, Susie detailed his many contributions to our community. Here are excerpts from the nomination:
"Like Bernice and Lacy Lott, Reggie Evans is a community leader and role model. He shares the Lott’s commitment to justice, fairness, public education, civic responsibility and an inviting and diverse community where people are engaged and connected to each other. He demonstrates this commitment in his personal interactions, his volunteer life and in his work.
The HCC values and promotes dialogue that nurtures appreciation of differences and unity. Reggie is an individual who invites this kind of personal interaction. I have spent hours over the last six years talking to Reggie about race and class and the impact on our community and on our personal behavior. While we know these topics typically put people on the defensive and generate a kind of gingerly self-conscious and awkward conversation, it is different with Reggie. He is frank, non-judgmental, curious, inviting, thoughtful, responsive and challenging. Dialogue with him creates insight, growth, humor and hope. He is a role model for fair exchange and true discovery. I will always be grateful to Reggie for giving me access to his ideas and the chance for meaningful dialogue. Like so many people who have had this chance to discuss important issues with Reggie, I have grown so much. I know our community is special because this honest connection is possible because of people like Reggie.
I am proud to know Reggie, to have learned from him and worked with him. He makes this a better community through his relationships, optimism, and tireless volunteer and profession effort. Bernice and Lacy Lott would have been glad to know him. Their legacy continues through people like Reggie."
Congratulations Reggie for this much-deserved recognition!
