Video recordings of phenomenal African American notables in Chicago are featured on our YouTube

channels. Check them out and host a viewing party with the Society founder Sherry Williams. Viewing

Parties are the newest opportunity to support the Bronzeville Historical Society.

Email: bronzevillehistoricalsociety@gmail.com to discuss ideas for public use and

possibly, if any, license fees for access and use.

STORYCORPS: Bronzeville Black Notables in Chicago – Aug 30, 2018
Sherry worked directly with Ms. Alicia Bunton, IIT Director of Community Relations https://www.iit.edu/community-affairs to record audio interviews with Black notables and stakeholders. Copies of the audio recordings were
provided to participants via electronic transfer and CD. The oral history will remain in the
National Archive perpetually. StoryCorps’ mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in
order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world.
Visit the website here.
https://archive.storycorps.org/communities/bronzeville-black-life-in-chicago/
https://storycorps.org/about/

SMITHSONIAN – 2014 PROFILES of EXEMPLARS
In her role as a community historian and activist she has developed and curated several oral
history projects. In partnership with the Smithsonian Institute, Sherry guided youth in interview
techniques, and protocol for video recording. Each participant described how their clothing, hair,
jewelry, and pride determined what they wore. The Will to Adorn 2014 Chicago Project can be
seen here.

https://willtoadornchicago.wordpress.com/2014/09/02/victoria-blakey-will-to-adorn- interview/

CHICAGO PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENT INTERVIEWS
In 2013-1015, Saint Xavier University Department of History provided an opportunity for
students to document African American cemeteries and also active or former residents of
Chicago Public Housing. Students interviewed participants at their place or work and personal
spaces. Sherry was invited by Dr, Karen Benjamin to outline questions and goals of the project.
The interviews are posted
Here. Check out Cheryl Johnson of Altgeld Gardens https://youtu.be/vMlSZCGvuas

DRIVE-BY PROJECT – 2009-2012 video Interviews and voice recordings of Cabrini- Green
former residents at Pullman State Historic Site, Quinn Chapel AME Church in Chicago. Dr.
Rebecca Zorach and Michael W. Phillips, Jr. guided interview questions and recorded with
Sherry Williams and BHS member John Austin. Austin invited the participants.
https://chadrivebyproject.wordpress.com/

GREAT MIGRATION ORAL HISTORY
Sweet Home exhibition in 2004 invited participants to record stories on their migration to
Chicago. Several interviews include how ancestors arrived in Chicago. Intimate details
define how African Americans faced racism, fear and terror.

Here is the exhibition presentation by Sam Greenlee.
https://youtu.be/uTWLXwwLjxo

Here are the Great Migration oral history interviews.
https://youtu.be/tYtMWBfympM