BLACK CHILDREN PLAY OUTSIDE THE IDA B. WELLS HOMES, ONE OF CHICAGO’S OLDEST HOUSING PROJECTS. THERE ARE 1,652 APARTMENTS HOUSING 5,920 PERSONS IN 124 BUILDINGS ON THE SOUTH SIDE. MANY BUILDINGS IN THIS PART OF THE CITY HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY VACATED FOR VARIOUS REASONS. EVEN THOUGH MANY ARE SALVAGEABLE, THEY ARE RAZED AND REPLACED WITH HIGH RENT HIGHRISES WHICH HAVE LITTLE OR NO APPEAL TO THE AREA'S PREVIOUS RESIDENTS – Source

MINORITY YOUNGSTERS WHO GATHERED TO HAVE THEIR PICTURE TAKEN ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE DURING A COMMUNITY TALENT SHOW BLACKS MAKE UP OVER ONE THIRD OF THE 3.6 MILLION POPULATION IN THE CITY. CHICAGO CENSUS FIGURES FOR 1970 SHOW A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN ECONOMIC SECURITY BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES. ONLY 35% OF BLACK FAMILIES EARNED $10,000 TO $25,000 COMPARED TO 60% OF WHITE FAMILIES. OF FAMILIES EARNING LESS THAN $8,000 A TOTAL OF 50% WERE BLACK COMPARED TO 21% WHITE – Source

BLACK FAMILY ENJOYING THE SUMMER WEATHER AT CHICAGO’S 12TH STREET BEACH ON LAKE MICHIGAN. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883, BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THEIR GROUP AND THE WHITES ACTUALLY WIDENED – Source

BLACK BALLOON SALESMAN ON SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO’S 47TH STREET MANY OF THE CITY'S BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS STARTED WITH SMALL OPERATIONS SUCH AS THIS AND GREW BY WORKING HARD. TODAY CHICAGO IS BELIEVED TO BE THE BLACK BUSINESS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES. BUT BLACKS HAVE A HARDER TIME STAYING IN BUSINESS THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS. STATISTICS NOTE THAT 80% OF BLACK BUSINESSES DO NOT SURVIVE TWO YEARS. RACIAL PREJUDICE, LACK OF CAPITAL AND EXPERTISE ARE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE – Source

BLACK YOUTHS PLAY BASKETBALL AT STATEWAY GARDENS’ HIGHRISE HOUSING PROJECT ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE, THE COMPLEX HAS EIGHT BUILDINGS WITH 1,633 TWO AND THREE BEDROOM APARTMENTS HOUSING 6,825 PERSONS, THEY WERE BUILT UNDER THE U.S. HOUSING ACTS OF 1949 AND 1968 THEY ARE MANAGED BY THE CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 41,500 PUBLIC HOUSING DWELLINGS – Source

BLACK MUSLIM WOMEN DRESSED IN WHITE APPLAUD ELIJAH MUHAMMAD DURING THE DELIVERY OF HIS ANNUAL SAVIOR’S DAY MESSAGE IN CHICAGO. THE CITY IS HEADQUARTERS FOR THE BLACK MUSLIMS. THEIR $75 MILLION EMPIRE INCLUDES A MOSQUE, NEWSPAPER, UNIVERSITY RESTAURANTS, REAL ESTATE, BANK AND VARIETY OF RETAIL STORES MUHAMMAD DIED FEBRUARY 25, 1975 – Source

BLACK YOUNGSTERS COOL OFF WITH FIRE HYDRANT WATER ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE IN THE WOODLAWN COMMUNITY. THE KIDS DON'T GO TO THE CITY BEACHES AND USE THE FIRE HYDRANTS TO COOL OFF INSTEAD IT'S A TRADITION IN THE COMMUNITY, COMPRISED OF VERY LOW INCOME PEOPLE. THE AREA HAS HIGH CRIME AND FIRE RECORDS. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26% TO 58% – Source

37TH AND PRAIRIE STREETS. (FROM THE SITES EXHIBITION. SEE ALSO THIS FICHE ROW 1 E.) – Source

BLACK HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENT AT THE ROBERT TAYLOR HOMES, A HIGHRISE APARTMENT COMPLEX ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. HE IS ONE OF NEARLY 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE OF HIS RACE WHO MAKE UP OVER ONE THIRD OF CHICAGO'S POPULATION. IT IS ONE OF THE MANY BLACK FACES IN THIS PROJECT THAT PORTRAY LIFE IN ALL ITS SEASONS. THEY ARE PORTRAITS OF INDIVIDUAL HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE – Source

A SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO GHETTO MOTHER AND CHILD WHO LIVE IN NEARBY LOW INCOME HOUSING. THEY ARE PART OF THE 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE OF THEIR RACE WHO MAKE UP OVER ONE THIRD OF CHICAGO’S POPULATION CHICAGO AREA CENSUS FIGURES SHOW A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN ECONOMIC SECURITY BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES. OF FAMILIES EARNING LESS THAN $8,000 IN 1970 SOME 50% WERE BLACK COMPARED TO 21% WHITE. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME IN CHICAGO AT THAT TIME WAS 65% THAT OF THE WHITES – Source

SUMMER FUN MEANS COOLING OFF WITH WATER FROM A FIRE HYDRANT AT WOODLAWN COMMUNITY, A LOW INCOME HIGHRISE APARTMENT COMPLEX ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. THESE CHILDREN DON'T GO TO THE CITY BEACHES. COOLING OFF WITH OPEN FIRE HYDRANTS IS A COMMUNITY TRADITION. THE AREA HAS HIGH CRIME AND FIRE RECORDS. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26% TO 58%, BUT STILL FELL BEHIND THE GAIN MADE BY WHITES – Source

BLACK YOUNGSTER TAKING OUT THE TRASH ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. HE IS ONE OF NEARLY 1.2 MILLION OF HIS RACE WHO MAKE UP MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE POPULATION OF CHICAGO. IT IS ONE OF MANY BLACK FACES IN THIS PROJECT THAT PORTRAY LIFE IN ALL ITS SEASONS. IN SHORT THEY ARE PORTRAITS OF HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE INDIVIDUALS AND ARE PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE – Source

A BLACK MAN WHO IS JOBLESS SITS ON THE WINDOWSILL OF A BUILDING IN A HIGH CRIME AREA ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE, HE HAS NOTHING TO DO AND NOWHERE TO GO, THIS SCENE CONTRASTS WITH THE PUBLICATIONS WHICH LIST THE CITY AS THE BLACK BUSINESS MECCA OF THE WORLD, IN EARLY 1975 SOME 16% OF BLACKS WERE BELIEVED TO BE OUT OF WORK DOUBLE THE RATE OF WHITE UNEMPLOYMENT, BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN CHICAGO IN 1970 GROSSED $332 MILLION FROM 8,750 BUSINESSES – Source

A BLACK MAN DELIVERS MAIL TO THE BLOCK OF EAST 43RD STREET ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. HE IS ONE OF THE NEARLY 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE OF HIS RACE WHO MAKE UP MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF CHICAGO'S POPULATION. THE PHOTOS ARE PORTRAITS THAT REFLECT PRIDE, LOVE, BEAUTY, HOPE STRUGGLE, JOY, HATE, FRUSTRATION, DISCONTENT, WORSHIP AND FAITH. THEY ARE PORTRAITS OF INDIVIDUAL HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE – Source

BLACK MEN AT THE ENTRANCE TO A POOL HALL WHERE THEY HANG AROUND DAILY, LOCATED ON ROOSEVELT ROAD IN THE HEART OF THE GHETTO ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE. THE 1970 CENSUS REPORTED 22 TO 29% OF THE AREA'S RESIDENTS WERE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. HELPED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, A LOCAL ORGANIZATION SIGNED AGREEMENTS WITH MAJOR NATIONAL FRANCHISES THAT RESULTED IN $20 MILLION IN JOBS FOR RESIDENTS. IN 1973 THE WEST SIDE HAD NOT YET RECOVERED FROM EARLIER RIOTS AND FIRES – Source

BLACK WOMAN SITS ON A PORCH SWING ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE AND SURVEYS HER ROSE GARDEN. SHE IS ONE OF NEARLY 1.2 MILLION OF HER RACE WHO MAKE UP MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF CHICAGO'S POPULATION. SHE LIVES IN AN AREA WHICH WAS HARD HIT BY RIOTS AND FIRES DURING THE MID AND LATE 1960'S. THE 1970 CENSUS NOTED THAT 22 TO 29% OF THE AREA'S RESIDENTS LIVED BELOW THE OFFICIAL POVERTY LEVEL – Source

BLACK COMMUNITY OLDER HOUSING ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE. THIS AREA IN 1973 HAD NOT QUITE RECOVERED FROM THE RIOTS AND FIRES DURING THE MID AND LATE 1960'S. ACCORDING TO THE 1970 CENSUS, 22 TO 29% OF THE RESIDENTS WERE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. BLACK WEST SIDE BUSINESSMEN FORMED AN ORGANIZATION, FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN AGREEMENTS WITH MAJOR NATIONAL FRANCHISES AND RESULTED IN SOME $20 MILLION IN JOBS FOR AREA CITIZENS BY 1974 – Source

OLDER HOUSING IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE THIS AREA IN 1973 HAD NOT QUITE RECOVERED FROM THE RIOTS AND FIRES DURING THE MID TO LATE 1960'S. ACCORDING TO THE 1970 CENSUS, 22 TO 29% OF THE RESIDENTS WERE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. BLACK WEST SIDE BUSINESSMEN FORMED AN ORGANIZATION, FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN AGREEMENTS WITH MAJOR NATIONAL FRANCHISES AND RESULTED IN SOME $20 MILLION IN JOBS FOR AREA CITIZENS BY 1974 – Source

EMPTY HOUSING IN THE GHETTO ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE STRUCTURES SUCH AS THIS HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY VACATED AS A RESULT OF FIRES, VANDALISM OR FAILURE BY OWNERS TO PROVIDE BASIC TENANT SERVICES. THEN THE VACATED BUILDINGS, OFTEN SUBSTANTIALLY SALVAGEABLE, ARE RAZED AND REPLACED WITH HIGHRISE APARTMENTS WHICH APPEAL TO FEW MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND ALMOST NONE OF THE AREA'S PREVIOUS RESIDENTS – Source

BLACK RESIDENTS ON ONE OF THE BALCONIES OF THE ROBERT TAYLOR HOMES, A LOW INCOME HIGHRISE APARTMENT BUILDING IN CHICAGO. IT IS A COMPLEX OF 28 BUILDINGS LOCATED BETWEEN THE 3900 AND 5400 BLOCKS ON STATE STREET WITH 4,312 APARTMENTS HOUSING 25,220 PERSONS. A GOAL OF MANY RESIDENTS IS TO FIND A JOB THAT PAYS ENOUGH FOR THEM TO REACH MIDDLE CLASS STATUS AND MOVE. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME FROM 1960 TO 1970 INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883 BUT WAS STILL $3,603 BELOW MEDIAN WHITE INCOME – Source

BLACK MOTHER AND FATHER WITH THEIR EIGHT CHILDREN IN CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE GHETTO. ALTHOUGH FIGURES IN THE 1970 CENSUS NOTE THAT NEARLY HALF OF THE NATION'S 22.7 MILLION BLACKS WERE IN MIDDLE INCOME BRACKETS, AN EQUAL NUMBER WERE TRYING TO FIND JOBS THAT PAID ENOUGH FOR THEM TO ENTER THE MIDDLE CLASS. AND THE RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR BLACKS NATIONWIDE IS BELIEVED TO BE TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. THIS FAMILY LIVES IN A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT BECAUSE THE FATHER MAKES $7,000 PER YEAR – Source

BLACK FAMILY COUNT THEIR CASH IN THEIR APARTMENT IN SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883. BUT THE MEDIAN INCOME OF WHITES INCREASED EVEN MORE AND WIDENED THE GAP FROM $3,251 IN 1960 TO $3,603 IN 1970 – Source

BLACK COUPLE AND THEIR DOG IN THEIR APARTMENT IN SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,000 TO $7,883. BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEIR MEDIAN INCOME AND THAT OF WHITES INCREASED FROM $3,251 TO $3,603 DURING THE 10 YEARS – Source

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS SILHOUETTED AGAINST A BRIGHT OCTOBER SUN IN SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO. SOME BLACKS CHARGE THAT AREAS OF THE NEW “LOOP“ AND ON THE SOUTH SIDE HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY VACATED AS A RESULT OF FIRES, VANDALISM OR FAILURE BY BUILDING OWNERS TO PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES TO TENANTS. AND THAT THE NEW APARTMENT UNITS ARE EXPENSIVE, APPEALING ONLY TO A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND ALMOST NONE OF THE AREA’S PREVIOUS RESIDENTS – Source

MONROE STREET PARKING LOT IN CHICAGO HOLDS 2,700 CARS FOR COMMUTERS AT LAKE SHORE DRIVE. NEW CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY TO ADD 900 SPACES TO HOLD A TOTAL OF 3,600 VEHICLES. A NEW PARK ALSO WILL BE CREATED DURING CONSTRUCTION – Source

PRICE ALLEN, THE PEANUT MAN, WHO SELLS HIS PRODUCT AND TALKS ABOUT THE BIBLE TO CUSTOMERS ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. CENSUS FIGURES FOR 1970 SHOWED THERE WERE 8,747 BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE CITY THAT GROSSED MORE THAN $332 MILLION. BUT STATISTICS NOTE THAN 80% OF BLACK BUSINESSES FAIL WITHIN TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF RACIAL PREJUDICE AND LACK OF CAPITAL, BUSINESS EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT FROM THE BLACK COMMUNITY – Source

BLACK MAN OPERATING A NEWSSTAND IN CHICAGO ON THE WEST SIDE THE CITY IS BELIEVED TO BE THE BLACK BUSINESS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES. CENSUS FIGURES SHOW IN 1970 THERE WERE 8,747 BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE CITY THAT GROSSED MORE THAN $332 MILLION. BUT BLACK CAPITALISTS STILL HAVE MORE TROUBLE STAYING IN BUSINESS ONCE THEY BEGIN AND THE MAIN REASON REMAINS RACIAL PREJUDICE. LACK OF CAPITAL LACK OF BUSINESS EXPERTISE AND LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE BLACK COMMUNITY ARE OTHER FACTORS – Source

BLACK OWNED BUSINESS ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. THE CITY IS BELIEVED TO BE THE BLACK BUSINESS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES CENSUS FIGURES FOR 1970 SHOWED THERE WERE 8,747 BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE CITY THAT GROSSED MORE THAN $332 MILLION. IN 1972 THERE WERE 11 BLACK OWNED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT TOTALED ASSETS OF $254.9 MILLION. BLACK ENTERPRISES MAGAZINE REPORTED IN 1973 THAT CHICAGO HAD 14 OF THE TOP 100 BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES, ONE MORE THAN NEW YORK – Source

STREET SCENE ON 47TH STREET IN SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO, A BUSY AREA WHERE MANY SMALL BLACK BUSINESSES ARE LOCATED. MANY OF THE CITY’S BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS STARTED WITH SMALL OPERATIONS AND GREW BY WORKING HARD. TODAY CHICAGO IS BELIEVED TO BE THE BLACK BUSINESS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES. CENSUS FIGURES IN 1970 NOTED THAT 8,747 BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES WERE IN OPERATION IN CHICAGO AND GROSSED MORE THEN $332 MILLION – Source

CHICAGO GHETTO ON THE SOUTH SIDE. ALTHOUGH THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS MAKING $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58% BETWEEN 1960 AND 1970, A LARGE PERCENTAGE STILL REMAINED UNEMPLOYED. THE BLACK UNEMPLOYMENT RATE GENERALLY IS ASSUMED TO BE TWICE THAT OF THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS – Source

SOUTH SIDE BLACK WORKERS PASSING THE TIME PLAYING CHECKERS ON EAST 35TH STREET BEFORE GOING TO WORK IN CHICAGO. THE CITY CENSUS FIGURES SHOW A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN ECONOMIC SECURITY BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME BETWEEN 1960 AND 1970 INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883 BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THE TWO RACES WIDENED. BLACKS WERE RECEIVING THE AVERAGE OF $3,603 LESS THAN THE MEDIAN WHITE FAMILY – Source

GHETTO STREET SCENE IN CHICAGO ON THE SOUTH SIDE. THE CITY CENSUS FIGURES SHOW A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN ECONOMIC SECURITY BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES. OF FAMILIES EARNING $10,000 TO $25,000 IN 1970, 35% WERE BLACK AND 60% WHITE. OF FAMILIES EARNING LESS THAN $8,000 SOME 50% WERE BLACK AND 21% WHITE. IN 1970 MEDIAN BLACK INCOME IN CHICAGO WAS 65% THAT OF WHITE FAMILIES, AN IMPROVEMENT OF 5% IN 20 YEARS, BUT AN ACTUAL WIDENING OF THE DOLLAR GAP – Source

BLACK WOMAN SELLING GAS FILLED “HAVE A HAPPY DAY” BALLOONS ON A CHICAGO SOUTH SIDE STREET CORNER AT SOX PARK BASEBALL FIELD MANY OF THE CITY’S BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS STARTED WITH SMALL OPERATIONS SUCH AS THIS AND GREW BY WORKING HARD. TODAY CHICAGO IS BELIEVED TO BE THE BLACK BUSINESS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES. BLACK ENTERPRISES MAGAZINE REPORTED IN 1973 THAT THE CITY HAD 14 OF THE TOP 100 BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTRY, ONE MORE THAN NEW YORK CITY – Source

BLACK GHETTO CHILD SAVORS A SNOW CONE JUST RECEIVED FROM A SIDEWALK VENDOR ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE. THIS PORTION OF THE CITY WAS HARD HIT BY RIOTS AND FIRES IN THE MID AND LATE 1960'S AND WAS SLOW TO RECOVER. HELP CAME WHEN BLACK BUSINESSMEN, WITH FEDERAL HELP REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH SEVERAL NATIONAL FRANCHISES WHICH RESULTED IN $20 MILLION WORTH OF JOBS TO RESIDENTS BY 1974 – Source

GHETTO BLACK CHILDREN LINE UP FOR SNOW CONES FROM A SIDEWALK VENDOR ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE IN THE SUMMER OF 1973. THIS PORTION OF THE CITY WAS HARD HIT BY RIOTS AND FIRES IN THE MID AND LATE 1960'S AND WAS SLOW TO RECOVER. HELP CAME WHEN BLACK BUSINESSMEN, WITH FEDERAL HELP, REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH SEVERAL NATIONAL FRANCHISES WHICH RESULTED IN $20 MILLION WORTH OF JOBS TO RESIDENTS BY 1974 – Source

DETERIORATED WALL MURAL ADJACENT TO A VACANT LOT ON 35TH STREET IN SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO. MANY BLACK ARTISTS ARE ACTIVE IN PAINTING OUTDOOR MURALS IN THE CITY’S BLACK COMMUNITIES. THEY FEEL IT IS A MEANS OF SHARING ART WITH PEOPLE OF THE GHETTO WHO NEVER GO TO THE MUSEUMS – Source

ARTIST RON BLACKBURN PAINTING AN OUTDOOR WALL MURAL AT THE CORNER OF 33RD AND GILES STREETS IN CHICAGO. HE IS ONE OF MANY ARTISTS PAINTING IN THE CITY’S BLACK COMMUNITIES. THE ARTISTS FEEL IT IS A MEANS OF SHARING ART WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE GHETTO WHO DON'T GO TO THE CITY'S MUSEUMS – Source

ARTIST RON BLACKBURN PAINTING AN OUTDOOR WALL MURAL AT THE CORNER OF 33RD AND GILES STREETS IN CHICAGO. HE IS ONE OF MANY BLACK ARTISTS PAINTING SUCH ART. THEY FEEL IT IS A MEANS OF SHARING ART WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE GHETTO WHO DON’T GO TO THE CITY'S MUSEUMS – Source

STREET SCENE IN WEST SIDE CHICAGO. THIS AREA WAS SLOW TO RECOVER FROM THE RIOTS AND FIRES OF THE MID AND LATE 1960’S ACCORDING TO THE 1970 CENSUS, SOME 22 TO 29% OF THE AREA'S RESIDENTS WERE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. THEN A GROUP OF BLACK BUSINESSMEN FORMED THE GARFIELD ORGANIZATION INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION. WITH FEDERAL HELP THEY REACHED AGREEMENTS WITH SEVERAL NATIONAL FRANCHISES THAT RESULTED IN JOBS FOR AREA RESIDENTS THAT TOTALLED $20 MILLION BY 1974 – Source

BLACK FAMILY AT THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE FOR THE BABY'S BAPTISM – Source

GRAFFITI ON A WALL IN CHICAGO. SUCH WRITING HAS ADVANCED AND BECOME AN ART FORM, PARTICULARLY IN METROPOLITAN AREAS. BLACK ARTISTS ALSO HAVE USED WALLS ON BUILDINGS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO TO PAINT OUTDOOR MURALS. THEY FEEL IT IS A MEANS OF SHARING ART WITH PEOPLE IN THE GHETTO WHO DON’T GO TO THE MUSEUMS. THE ARTISTS ALSO HAVE GIVEN PAINTING LESSONS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS BY DECORATING WALLS ON SOME BUILDINGS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES – Source

BLACK ART AND CULTURE WAS ONE OF THE THEMES AT THE ANNUAL BLACK EXPO HELD IN CHICAGO. ALSO PRESENT WERE BLACK PRODUCTS EDUCATION, TALENT, A VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE AND OTHER ASPECTS OF BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS. THE AIM IS TO MAKE BLACKS AWARE OF THEIR HERITAGE AND CAPABILITIES, AND HELP THEM TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE – Source

VOTE REGISTRATION DRIVE WAS ONE ASPECT OF BLACK EXPO, AN ANNUAL EXHIBIT OF BLACK TALENT, EDUCATION, PRODUCTS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS HELD IN CHICAGO. THE AIM IS TO MAKE BLACKS AWARE OF THEIR HERITAGE AND CAPABILITIES, AND HELP THEM TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE – Source

THE REV. JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS ON A RADIO BROADCAST FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF OPERATION PUSH, AT ITS ANNUAL CONVENTION. ONE OF THE AIMS OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO OPEN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS TO SMALL BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES. REV. JACKSON IS CREDITED FOR HELPING TO MAKE CHICAGO THE BLACK BANKING CAPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. HE HELPED PERSUADE WHITE COMPANIES TO STOP TAKING PROFITS THEY EARNED FROM BLACK CONSUMERS TO THE WHITE SUBURBS – Source

THE REV. JESSE JACKSON ADDRESSING AN AUDIENCE AT THE ANNUAL PUSH ’BLACK EXPO' IN CHICAGO. THE ANNUAL FAIR GIVES BLACKS EXPOSURE TO BLACK TALENT, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, PRODUCTS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS. THE AIM IS TO MAKE BLACKS AWARE OF THEIR HERITAGE AND CAPABILITIES AND HELP THEM TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE – Source

FEDERAL JUDGE JAMES B. PARSONS IN THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN CHICAGO. HE WAS THE FIRST BLACK JUDGE APPOINTED TO THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS. THE APPOINTMENT WAS MADE BY PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY. IN APRIL, 1975, JUDGE PARSONS BECAME SENIOR JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT, THE FIRST BLACK SENIOR JUDGE IN THE COUNTRY – Source

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION MUHAMMAD ALI, A BLACK MUSLIM, ATTENDS THE SECT’S SERVICE TO HEAR ELIJAH MUHAMMAD DELIVER THE ANNUAL SAVIOR'S DAY MESSAGE IN CHICAGO. THE CITY IS HEADQUARTERS FOR THE BLACK MUSLIMS. THEIR $75 MILLION EMPIRE INCLUDES A MOSQUE NEWSPAPER, UNIVERSITY, RESTAURANTS, REAL ESTATE, BANK AND VARIETY OF RETAIL STORES. THE MUSLIM LEADER DIED FEBRUARY 25, 1975 – Source

A SENIOR CITIZENS’ MARCH TO PROTEST INFLATION, UNEMPLOYMENT AND HIGH TAXES STOPPED ALONG LAKE SHORE DRIVE IN CHICAGO TO HEAR SPEECHES FROM VARIOUS OFFICIALS, THE RALLY WAS HEADED BY THE REV JESSE JACKSON AND OPERATION PUSH – Source

BLACK WOMAN AT THE OPERATION PUSH EXPO ANNUAL CONVENTION A SPECIAL TALKATHON WAS SET UP BY A LOCAL BLACK RADIO STATION IN CHICAGO TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE ORGANIZATION. ONE OF THE AIMS OF PUSH IS TO OPEN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS TO SMALL BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES. THE REV. JESSE JACKSON IS ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE GROUP – Source

“THE FRUIT OF ISLAM“, A SPECIAL GROUP OF BODYGUARDS FOR MUSLIM LEADER ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, SIT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PLATFORM WHILE HE DELIVERS HIS ANNUAL SAVIOR’S DAY MESSAGE IN CHICAGO. THE CITY IS HEADQUARTERS FOR THE BLACK MUSLIMS. THEIR $75 MILLION EMPIRE INCLUDES A MOSQUE, NEWSPAPER, UNIVERSITY, RESTAURANTS, REAL ESTATE BANK AND VARIETY OF RETAIL STORES. MUHAMMAD DIED FEBRUARY 25, 1975 – Source

RELIGIOUS FERVOR IS MIRRORED ON THE FACE OF A BLACK MUSLIM WOMAN, ONE OF SOME 10,000 LISTENING TO ELIJAH MUHAMMAD DELIVER HIS ANNUAL SAVIOR’S DAY MESSAGE IN CHICAGO, THE CITY IS HEADQUARTERS FOR THE BLACK MUSLIMS, THEIR $75 MILLION EMPIRE INCLUDES A MOSQUE NEWSPAPER, UNIVERSITY, RESTAURANTS, REAL ESTATE, BANK AND VARIETY OF RETAIL STORES, MUHAMMAD DIED FEBRUARY 25, 1975 – Source

BLACK STUDENT WELDERS WORK IN A MACHINE SHOP COURSE TAUGHT AT THE CHICAGO OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTER IN THE HEART OF THE CABRINI-GREEN HOUSING PROJECT ON CHICAGO’S NEAR NORTH SIDE OTHER COURSES IN AUTO REPAIR, DRAFTING AND CLERICAL WORK ALSO ARE OFFERED. THE STATE FUNDS THE CHICAGO PROGRAM WHICH IS A PART OF A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1964 TO PROVIDE FREE JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT FOR MEN AND WOMEN IN POVERTY AREAS. A POLICE RECORD IS NECESSARY TO QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM – Source

A CLASS OF BLACK STUDENT WELDERS WITH THEIR INSTRUCTOR AT A FORMER GRADE SCHOOL IN THE HEART OF THE CABRINI-GREEN HOUSING PROJECT ON CHICAGO’s NEAR NORTH SIDE – Source

YOUNGSTERS RETURNING TO CLASS FOLLOWING A FIRE DRILL IN A CHICAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. FIRE DRILLS ASSUME A GREATER IMPORTANCE IN THE GHETTO SCHOOLS WHERE AREA BUILDINGS ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO VANDALISM AND FIRE. NOTE THE VACANT BUILDING WITH BROKEN WINDOWS IN THE BACKGROUND – Source

BLACK STUDENT IN A BLACK STUDIES HISTORY CLASS IN A WEST SIDE CHICAGO SCHOOL WITH HER CLASSWORK. RECENT YEARS HAVE SEEN A RESURGENCE BY VARIOUS MINORITIES OF THEIR HISTORIES. PRIDE IN THEIR HERITAGE HAS LED TO CONTINUING TRADITIONS AND ASPECTS OF THEIR CULTURE WHICH ARE UNIQUE IN AMERICAN TRADITION – Source

BLACK STUDENT IN A BLACK STUDIES CLASS IN A WEST SIDE CHICAGO CLASSROOM READING A BOOK ABOUT GREAT RULERS IN AFRICA’S PAST RECENT YEARS HAVE SEEN A RESURGENCE BY VARIOUS MINORITIES OF THEIR HISTORIES. PRIDE IN THEIR HERITAGE HAS LED TO CONTINUING TRADITIONS AND ASPECTS OF THEIR CULTURE WHICH ARE UNIQUE IN AMERICAN TRADITION – Source

BLACK BEAUTIES WITH COLORFUL HAIR GRACE A FLOAT DURING THE ANNUAL BUD BILLIKEN DAY PARADE ALONG DR. MARTIN L. KING JR. DRIVE ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. UP TO HALF A MILLION PEOPLE VIEW ONE OF THE LARGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR, HELD FOR BLACKS OF ALL AGES AND ECONOMIC STATUS. THE PARADE ALSO INCLUDES BLACK POLITICIANS, BLACK BUSINESSES DISPLAYING THEIR PRODUCTS AND BLACK BANDS – Source

CLOSEUP OF A BLACK BEAUTY GRACING A FLOAT DURING THE ANNUAL BUD BILLIKEN DAY PARADE ALONG DR. MARTIN L. KING JR. DRIVE ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. UP TO A HALF MILLION PEOPLE VIEW ONE OF THE LARGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR, HELD FOR BLACKS OF ALL AGES AND ECONOMIC STATUS. THE PARADE ALSO INCLUDES BLACK POLITICIANS, BLACK BUSINESSES DISPLAYING THEIR PRODUCTS AND BLACK BANDS – Source

BLACK BEAUTIES COMPLEMENT A FLOAT DURING THE BUD BILLIKEN DAY PARADE ALONG DR. MARTIN L. KING JR. DRIVE ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE UP TO HALF A MILLION PEOPLE VIEW ONE OF THE LARGEST ANNUAL EVENTS OF THE YEAR, HELD FOR BLACKS OF ALL AGES AND ECONOMIC STATUS. THE PARADE ALSO INCLUDES BLACK POLITICIANS, BLACK BUSINESSES DISPLAYING THEIR PRODUCTS AND BLACK BANDS – Source

BUD BILLIKEN DAY PARADE AS IT TRAVELS CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE ON DR. MARTIN L. KING JR. DRIVE. ONE OF THE LARGEST EVENTS DURING THE YEAR, IT IS HELD FOR BLACKS OF ALL AGES AND ECONOMIC STATUS, AND ATTRACTS UP TO HALF A MILLION PEOPLE ALONG THE ROUTE. THE PARADE INCLUDES BLACK POLITICIANS, BLACK BUSINESSES DISPLAYING THEIR PRODUCTS, BLACK BANDS AND BLACK BEAUTIES OF ALL AGES – Source

BLACK BONGO PLAYER PERFORMS AT THE INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATER IN CHICAGO AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PUSH ’BLACK EXPO' IN THE FALL OF 1973. THE ANNUAL EVENT SHOWCASES BLACK TALENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, STARS, ART AND PRODUCTS TO PROVIDE BLACKS WITH AN AWARENESS OF THEIR HERITAGE AND CAPABILITIES, AND HELP THEM TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE – Source

BLACK SAXOPHONIST PERFORMS AT THE INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATER IN CHICAGO AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PUSH ’BLACK EXPO' IN THE FALL OF 1973. THE ANNUAL EVENT SHOWCASES BLACK TALENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, STARS, ART AND PRODUCTS TO PROVIDE BLACKS WITH AN AWARENESS OF THEIR HERITAGE AND CAPABILITIES, AND HELP THEM TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE – Source

BLACK SINGER PERFORMS AT THE INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATER IN CHICAGO AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PUSH ’BLACK EXPO' IN THE FALL OF 1973 THE ANNUAL EVENT SHOWCASES BLACK TALENT, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, STARS, ART AND PRODUCTS TO PROVIDE BLACKS WITH AN AWARENESS OF THEIR HERITAGE AND CAPABILITIES, AND HELP THEM TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE – Source

BLACK SOUL SINGER ISAAC HAYES PERFORMS AT THE INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATER IN CHICAGO AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PUSH ’BLACK EXPO' IN THE FALL OF 1973. THE ANNUAL EVENT SHOWCASES BLACK TALENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, STARS, ART AND PRODUCTS TO PROVIDE BLACKS WITH AN AWARENESS OF THEIR HERITAGE AND CAPABILITIES, AND HELP THEM TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE – Source

A BLACK GUITARIST PERFORMS AT THE LAKE MEADOWS SHOPPING CENTER IN CHICAGO. ALTHOUGH NOT WELL KNOWN, HE IS SHARING HIS MUSIC AT HOME, AND HOPES THIS START WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN GREATER RECOGNITION – Source

A BLACK BAND PERFORMS AT THE LAKE MEADOWS SHOPPING CENTER IN CHICAGO. NOT WELL KNOWN, THEY ARE SHARING THEIR MUSIC AT HOME AND HOPE THEIR START WILL LEAD TO GREATER RECOGNITION – Source

PHOTOGRAPH OF AN OAKLAND A’S PITCHER – Source

BLACKS AND WHITES TAKE TO THE WATER AT A 12TH STREET BEACH ON LAKE MICHIGAN ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE IN THE SUMMER OF 1973. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883, BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THEIR GROUP AND THE WHITES ACTUALLY WIDENED. CHICAGO HAS 29 MILES OF LAKEFRONT AND 30 PUBLIC BEACHES – Source

BLACK CHILD LIFTS A LEG WHILE HIS MOTHER PUTS ON HIS SOCKS AT A 12TH STREET BEACH ON LAKE MICHIGAN ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE IN THE SUMMER OF 1973. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883, BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THEIR GROUP AND THE WHITES ACTUALLY WIDENED – Source

BLACK MAN ENJOYING A NAP ON A CHAISE LOUNGE ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883, BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THEIR GROUP AND THE WHITES ACTUALLY WIDENED – Source

WASHINGTON PARK ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE WHERE MANY BLACK FAMILIES ENJOY PICNICKING DURING THE SUMMER. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883, BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THEIR GROUP AND THE WHITES ACTUALLY WIDENED – Source

A YOUNG BLACK MAN SHOWING HIS MUSCLE DURING A SMALL COMMUNITY PROGRAM IN CHICAGO ON THE SOUTH SIDE. THERE ARE MANY BLOCK CLUBS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS ORGANIZED TO HELP YOUNGSTERS “DO THEIR THING” DURING SPECIAL WEEKEND PROGRAMS IN EMPTY LOTS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITIES. IT HELPS THEM TO DEVELOP CHARACTER AND BELIEF IN THEIR ABILITIES AS WELL AS STRESSING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE – Source

BLACK YOUNGSTERS PERFORMING ON AN EMPTY LOT AT 5440 SOUTH PRINCETON AVENUE ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE AT A SMALL COMMUNITY PROGRAM CALLED “AN OPEN AIR FASHION AND TALENT SHOW” PRESENTED BY “THE NEW BETWEEN THE TRACKS COUNCIL”, A COMMUNITY BLOCK GROUP. IT IS ONE OF MANY BLOCK CLUBS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS ORGANIZED TO HELP YOUNGSTERS “DO THEIR THING” DURING SPECIAL WEEKEND PROGRAMS IN EMPTY LOTS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITIES – Source

THE KADATS OF AMERICA, CHICAGO’S MOST LOVED YOUNG BLACK DRILL TEAM, PERFORMING IN ONE OF MANY AREA PARADES. THE LEADER MAJOR GENERAL ACKLIN (BROWN SHIRT, LOWER RIGHT), WORKS WITH THE YOUNGSTERS TO GIVE THEM A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE. THE GROUP HAS WON MANY MARCHING AND DRILL AWARDS – Source

LEADER OF THE KADATS OF AMERICA, MAJOR GENERAL ACKLIN, IN CHARGE OF CHICAGO’S MOST LOVED YOUNG BLACK DRILL TEAM. HE WORKS WITH YOUNGSTERS TO GIVE THEM A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE. THE GROUP HAS WON MANY MARCHING AND DRILL AWARDS, AND HAS PERFORMED IN MANY AREA PARADES – Source

THE KADATS OF AMERICA, CHICAGO’S MOST LOVED YOUNG BLACK DRILL TEAM, SHOWN PERFORMING ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT A COMMUNITY TALENT SHOW ON THE SOUTH SIDE. LEADER OF THE GROUP IS MAJOR GENERAL ACKLIN, WHO WORKS WITH THE YOUNGSTERS TO GIVE THEM A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE. THE GROUP HAS WON MANY MARCHING AND DRILL AWARDS, AND HAS PERFORMED IN MANY AREA PARADES – Source

THE KADATS OF AMERICA, CHICAGO’S MOST LOVED YOUNG BLACK DRILL TEAM, ARE SHOWN PERFORMING ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT A COMMUNITY TALENT SHOW ON THE SOUTH SIDE. THE LEADER, MAJOR GENERAL ACKLIN, IS SHOWN GIVING COMMANDS TO THE YOUNGSTERS. THE GROUP HAS WON MANY MARCHING AND DRILL AWARDS, AND HAS PERFORMED IN MANY AREA PARADES – Source

THIS LITTLE GIRL ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE WILL HAVE MANY HURDLES TO OVERCOME WHILE GROWING UP. THE SCHOOLS ARE POOR IN HER COMMUNITY, CRIME IS HIGH AND OTHER DAILY PROBLEMS WILL CLOUD HER FUTURE. THE YOUNGSTER IS ONE OF THE NEARLY 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE OF HER RACE WHO MAKE UP OVER ONE THIRD OF CHICAGO'S POPULATION. HER FACE COMBINES WITH MANY BLACKS IN THIS DOCUMENTARY PROJECT WHO ARE LIVING LIFE AS THEY FIND IT AND ARE PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE – Source

A BLACK CHILD ON THE REAR PORCH OF A HOUSE IN A VERY LOW INCOME AREA ON CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MANY BLACK FACES IN THIS PROJECT THAT PORTRAY LIFE IN ALL ITS SEASONS. THE PHOTOS ARE PORTRAITS THAT REFLECT PRIDE, LOVE, BEAUTY, HOPE, STRUGGLE, JOY, HATE FRUSTRATION, DISCONTENT, WORSHIP AND FAITH. IN SHORT, PORTRAITS OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS AND ARE PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE – Source

SOUTH SIDE GROUP OF BLACK CHILDREN IN CHICAGO AT A PLAYGROUND AT 40TH AND DREXEL BOULEVARD, PART OF NEARLY 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE OF THEIR RACE WHO MAKE UP OVER ONE THIRD OF THE CITY’S POPULATION. THEY COMPRISE SEVERAL OF MANY BLACK FACES IN THIS PROJECT THAT PORTRAY PRIDE, LOVE, BEAUTY, HOPE, STRUGGLE, JOY, HATE FRUSTRATION, DISCONTENT, WORSHIP AND FAITH. IN SHORT, PORTRAITS OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS AND ARE PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE – Source

CLOSEUP OF A BLACK MOTHER AND CHILD AS THEY ENJOY A SUMMER OUTING ON CHICAGO’S 12TH STREET BEACH ON LAKE MICHIGAN. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883, BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THEIR GROUP AND THE WHITES ACTUALLY WIDENED – Source

BLACK FAMILY ENJOYS A PICNIC DURING THE SUMMER AT CHICAGO’S 12TH STREET BEACH ON LAKE MICHIGAN. FROM 1960 TO 1970 THE PERCENTAGE OF CHICAGO BLACKS WITH AN INCOME OF $7,000 OR MORE JUMPED FROM 26 TO 58%. MEDIAN BLACK INCOME DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM $4,700 TO $7,883, BUT THE DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN THEIR GROUP AND THE WHITES ACTUALLY WIDENED – Source