DuSable to Obama: Chicago's Black Metropolis (DVD)
This award-winning WTTW documentary tells the tale of two cities through historical record, personal writings, and recollection. There is the legendary Chicago that emerged from hardship and misfortune on the prairie to attain world-class status. There is also a less known, but remarkable aspect of Chicago's history – the essential contributions of African Americans to the city's vitality. Bringing recognition to the African American experience in Chicago is to better understand the rich heritage of America itself.
Many Americans, and some around the world, know the names of African-American Chicagoans like John H. Johnson, Harold Washington, and Michael Jordan who have made an indelible mark on the city and our national culture. But what about the community that embraced them, nourished them and cheered their success? For the very first time, this documentary reveals the complete story behind this incredible city through the eyes of some of its most famous and some of its most forgotten residents. It is a story of our time and of all time.
