Sunlight shone through the glass door of a building Charly “Evol” Bass knew well, the light kindling the warm hues of oranges and yellows that enveloped the walls of her restaurant, Jerry Deen’s.
A patchwork of wooden planks, multicolored signatures and yellow neighborhood street signs covered a pillar in the middle of the establishment, complemented by the various black-and-white pictures of Bass’ parents that adorned the walls. The frigid winter air often seeped into the restaurant as patrons came inside to pick up their food, stopping often to greet Bass on their way to the counter.
Behind Bass, on a sunny windowsill slightly obstructed by the drapes, sat a collage of photos showing her and a group of children she had mentored through Game Changers, a community organization focused on addressing issues within Wilmington’s neighborhoods.
The canvas, which was gifted to Bass by one of the children, included a small inscription typed in orange cursive font next to the photos.
“Ms. Evol, they say it takes a village to raise a child. Thank you for being part of my village,” the message read.
