Braithwaite Sworn in as New Second Ward Alderman
Peter Braithwaite was sworn in as the new Second Ward Alderman at the March 14th meeting of the Evanston City Council. His appointment fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Lionel Jean-Baptiste to the 9th Sub-circuit Court of Cook County.
“Peter will be a caring, responsive and idealistic alderman; I am delighted and honored to appoint him to be the Second Ward Alderman,” said Mayor Tisdahl.
Alderman Braithwaite grew up in Evanston’s Second Ward. The youngest of five and the son of Jamaican immigrants, he attended Dewey Elementary School, Nichols Middle School and Evanston Township High School. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a focus in African-American studies and human development.
Braithwaite has worked with a variety of community and youth groups on strategic planning, program development and fundraising for more than fifteen years. He served as a Case Manager at Association House of Chicago, Project Coordinator for the Evanston “I Have a Dream Project” and interim Youth Director at the McGaw YMCA. Most recently, he has worked in medical sales and is currently an independent sales consultant.
Braithwaite is married to Claudia Braithwaite, a teacher in District 65, and is the proud father of four children. Now raising his family in the Penny Park area, he looks forward to carrying on the community outreach and public service traditions of the late Alderman Dennis Drummer and the Hon. Lionel Jean-Baptiste.
Braithwaite has been a member and served as Co-Chair for the Campaign Committee of the Evanston United Way Board from 2000-2006; served as Advisory Board Member, Facilitator of the Evanston Fatherhood Project from 2001-2002; currently serves on the Evanston Community Foundation Root 2 Fruit Board since 2002; and is a member/officer of the Chessmen Club of the North Shore, Inc. since 2004.
Braithwaite has received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Foundation in 1999; an award from Leadership Evanston, Evanston Community Foundation in 2000; and has been awarded the Community Service Award from the Chessmen Club of the North Shore, Inc. in 2002.