Remembering Hecky Powell

This past week, Evanston icon, philanthropist, activist, and entrepreneur Hecky Powell, whose famous Hecky's BBQ stands at the corner of Emerson and Greenbay Road, was remembered on two national news platform: NPR and PBS News Hour. Hecky passed away on May 22 from Covid-19.

Listen to Hecky's wife Cheryl Judice being interviewed by NPR's Scott Simon yesterday.

Watch PBS News Hour's Judy Woodruff's report here.

Tomorrow, come to Hecky's from noon to 2 p.m. for a Juneteenth pop-up shop where you can enjoy Hecky's famous "it's the sauce" food and purchase Juneteenth merch.

Hecky was an avid promoter of Juneteenth and worked hard to raise awareness about the holiday, which commemorates the end of African enslavement.

Read more about the origins of Juneteenth and watch video from last year's celebration of the holiday, which featured a presentation by Hecky.

Make sure to tune in next Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 20 at 6 p.m. for Evanston's first (virtual) Juneteenth parade, organized by Kemone Hendricks of Evanston Present and Future. Find out more about all the events and activities that are planned here.

Listen to my Dear Evanston interview with Hecky from 2017.