The Heart of Community Hospital with Carlis Sutton

06/28/24 • 24 min

Overview of "Echoes of Evanston: The Soul of Community Hospital"

“Echoes of Evanston: The Soul of Community Hospital” is a multi-part creative collaboration that explores the often overlooked history of the Evanston Sanitarium, later known as Community Hospital. This institution served the Black community on Chicago's North Shore from 1914 to 1980.

Through this series, Evanston Rules shares the untold stories of pioneering Black physicians, healthcare teams, and patients who faced healthcare challenges during racial segregation. In-depth interviews were conducted with community members who experienced Community Hospital firsthand.

This “Echoes of Evanston” project is supported by Healing Illinois, a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Field Foundation of Illinois. Evanston Rules partnered with Northlight Theatre to bring these conversations to life. Northlight Theatre Artistic Fellow Tor Campbell transformed material from these interviews into an evening of dramatic readings, presented at Northlight Theatre for an invited audience.

Episode Featuring Carlis Sutton

In our first episode, we feature Carlis Sutton, a living encyclopedia of Evanston's Black history. Carlis recounts the vibrant and thriving community that existed before integration. He shares his extensive knowledge about historical institutions like Community Hospital, which played a crucial role in serving the Black community when other hospitals refused them care.

Carlis not only shares his own history but also the stories of those who came before him, providing rich insights into why the Fifth Ward has become less recognizable over the years. A member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Carlis is a lifelong Evanstonian who attended Foster Elementary School, Haven Middle School, and Evanston Township High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas AM&N College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a J.D. from Texas Southern University. He has taught in the Chicago Public Schools system and taught Sunday School at Second Baptist Church of Evanston, where he was ordained as a deacon in 1972.

His storytelling offers a profound understanding of the changes and challenges faced by the community. Discover the special history of Evanston in this episode and those that follow, as we delve deep into the unique and vibrant lives that shaped it.

Overview of "Echoes of Evanston: The Soul of Community Hospital"

Episode Featuring Carlis Sutton

Previous Episode

Schenita Stewart: Enforcing Evanston Rules

In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Schenita Stewart, Evanston's first Black female police chief. She shared personal photos of her family and spoke about the significant influences in her life. We discussed her experiences growing up in Evanston and the importance of her role in the community where she was born. Chief Stewart speaks openly and passionately about her dedication to Evanston and her vision as police chief. Listen to understand and to hear her inspiring story and deep commitment to her hometown, Evanston, Illinois.
Episode photo credit: Rich Cahan

Next Episode

The Heart of Community Hospital with Carlis Sutton, Part 2

“Echoes of Evanston: The Soul of Community Hospital” is a multi-part creative collaboration that explores the often overlooked history of the Evanston Sanitarium, later known as Community Hospital. This institution served the Black community on Chicago's North Shore from 1914 to 1980.
Through this series, Evanston Rules shares the untold stories of pioneering Black physicians, healthcare teams, and patients who faced healthcare challenges during racial segregation. In-depth interviews were conducted with community members who experienced Community Hospital firsthand.
In Part 2 of Carlis Sutton’s two-part episode within our series, we delve deeper into the history of Evanston Community Hospital and the significant healthcare disparities in Evanston. This episode continues exploring Carlis's personal experiences, including being barred from Evanston Hospital and St. Francis Hospital, and receiving a polio vaccination in a basement—a stark illustration of the era’s racial segregation. He also praises the exceptional Black doctors who brought hope to the community and reflects on the enduring bonds within the Fifth Ward, where he grew up. This two-part episode with Carlis is part of a larger series featuring various interviews that uncover the resilient spirit and rich history of Evanston. Join us as we explore these compelling stories.
This “Echoes of Evanston” project is supported by Healing Illinois, a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Field Foundation of Illinois. Evanston Rules partnered with Northlight Theatre to bring these conversations to life. Northlight Theatre Artistic Fellow Tor Campbell transformed material from these interviews into an evening of dramatic readings, presented at Northlight Theatre for an invited audience.
Join us as we uncover these compelling stories and celebrate the resilient spirit that has defined the Evanston Community Hospital. Listen to understand.