LATE: a Love Story Experience at First Church of Lombard

LATE: a Love Story Experience Hosted by First Church of Lombard
Potluck dinner at intermission. Please bring a dish from your culture or tradition.
This event is offered as part of Race Amity Theater.
The main entrance is facing the parking lot. Entry is off Ash Street, one block south of Maple.
Performed by Rachelle Zola shortly after the completion of her 825-mile Pilgrimage from Chicago to Montgomery. “LATE: A Love Story” is not just a performance – it’s a raw and honest exploration of truths discovered too late, weaving together narratives of love, loss and healing.
Rachelle’s powerful performance will leave you captivated, while her journey towards understanding and reconciliation will prompt you to reconsider the world around you. In this performance, Rachelle vulnerably shares her own story, which transitions seamlessly into ten friends sharing their stories steeped in the devastating legacy of the past. Through listening, she continues to take in the profound injustices faced by Black Americans. Each step of her pilgrimage is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit – a journey toward healing and understanding. After the performance there is a circle held where everyone who wants to share has the opportunity to do so. Join us in creating a world where ‘equity for all’ is honored, lived by and celebrated. The performance is free and open to the public. It is suggested for an audience 16 years and older. Connect with the LATE LOVE community at late.love.

Thanks to our sponsors:
Illinois Citizens for Race Amity
ComeUnity
Pizza and Social Justice
Backyard Caucus of Elmhurst
The DuPage County chapter of the NAACP
Immigrant Solidarity DuPage
One Community (Glen Elyn)
The Amos Project of First Church

Rachelle Zola: Advocate, Storyteller and Facilitator for Racial Equity

Rachelle is a life-long advocate – from working with children with special needs and their families to her current work for racial equity. She’s captured national attention and continues to make waves. In 2021 Rachelle garnered recognition for a 40-day hunger strike demanding Congress pass H.R. 40: Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act. Today she is on a 825-mile pilgrimage for racial equity. Along the route from Chicago to Montgomery, Rachelle will perform her one-woman show, LATE: a Love Story, which vulnerably reveals stories from her own life and ten of her friends – many of which are steeped in the devastating legacy of racism in America. Driven by love and reverence for those reshaping her perspective, Rachelle invites communities along her route to join in conversation, reflection and solidarity. For those interested in hosting a performance or walking alongside her (there will be mini monthly walks) – mayors, civic groups, universities, churches and community centers – please contact Rachelle directly at 720-609-9069. She inspires communities to confront injustices and reimagine the world as a place where equity for all is inherently honored, lived by and celebrated.

What People are Saying about LATE: a Love Story

"Late is the kind of art that troubles the water…stirs the soul…and awakens the spirit…I tossed and turned all night. Rachelle’s vulnerable sharing of stories invites her intimate audience to risk the same—cementing community and cocreating a transformative experience. And it’s such a unique and useful DEI  approach. Imagine what’s possible if we all expand our circle of concern and listen to and care for each other as lovingly as she does!" – Susan L.

" A Love Story" is a unique approach to sharing the individual story of a white woman's journey of self-awareness, liberty, and loving human hearts that shared their stories of living with injustice and equities.  As we hear about this personal journey the audience also learns how laws contribute to the injustice of the African American communities.  It is a must-see if you are interested in learning through the powerful transformational experience of a white woman."  – Carmen T.

"Late: Rachelle Zola, perhaps late, but is always committed! A Love Story… Rachella Zola is not only dedicated but always exudes love and empathy. Rachelle has always fought for those who needed a voice. First advocating for her brother Michael, who has cognitive disabilities; at the age of 59, she joined the Peace Corps in Jordan in the Special Ed sector; in 2010, Rachelle moved to Mexico and worked with a child who had a brain injury; and after her divorce, she moved to Ecuador and worked with children from infancy to the age of 18 in a children's home. Late: A Love Story began here in Chicago, where she had a calling to come and work with the black and brown community.

At the age of 70, she went on a hunger strike to bring awareness to HR 40; now, at the age of 75, Rachelle is taking a 754-mile pilgrimage to dialogue with people who look like her, white and privileged, about racism and gather stories from people who look like me – the black and brown community. Rachelle is unselfishly willing to do this, not only investing her time and body but also her money to fund these projects initially. Maybe donations will assist her with her latest project, but for now, that is not what is important to her. Since she landed in Chicago, she has amazed and embraced the black community. Rachelle continuously educates not only people who look like her but also people who look like me.

Late: A Love Story is a fascinating one-woman play that captivates her audience with storytelling. She discusses the complexities of waking up daily and preparing to go out into the world as a person of color. Through her powerful performance, Rachelle Zola brings to life a compelling narrative that delves deep into the emotional landscape of love, loss, racism, and resilience. She navigates through the complexities of our country's history of hatred, biases, and torture of the black community, demonstrating the depth of the strengths this community has developed. Her performance resonates with her audiences at every level, touching their hearts and souls and providing them space to learn, understand, and heal. Late: A Love Story is a must-see production that helps us start on the journey of understanding and acceptance!! Late, yes, but Rachelle has arrived and will never give up…A Love Story…this unique and intimate one-woman show is a thought-provoking, mesmerizing, and, yes, sometimes funny, remarkable experience that captivates her audience!!!" – Colette Marie D-D

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

First Church of Lombard, 220 South Main Street, Lombard, United States