ARTICLE EXCERPTS
ALL THINGS POLICY
POLICY KING EDWARD JONES AT THE MOVIES!
by: Angela Ford
On the evening of September 19, 2024, the Harper Theater in Hyde Park came alive with an air of celebration, history, and community as The Obsidian Collection Archives hosted the official Chicago theatrical release of King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones. This special event was not only a tribute to Edward Jones, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in the city's history, but also a testament to the resilience and cultural pride of Chicago's South Side.
LEWIS CALDWELL'S VISION FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF POLICY
In the 1960s and early 1970s, Illinois State Representative Lewis A. H. Caldwell proposed groundbreaking legislation aimed at legalizing the Policy Game, the game of chance that had become an economic cornerstone within the Black community of Chicago. Before the advent of state-sanctioned lottery games, the Policy Game operated as an underground economic system, providing financial support to Black-owned businesses, creating jobs, and fueling the local economy.
WHEN POLICY WAS KING IN SUPPORTING THE ARTS
by: P. Andrews - Keenan
SSAC’s fundraising to purchase their Bauhaus building began in 1938 with pledges from founding members, a “Mile of Dimes” campaign, art exhibitions, and other activities. Out of that campaign grew the annual Models & Artist’s Ball, an avant-garde affair that would become a major fundraiser for SSCAC in years to come. The first ball took place on October 23, 1939, at the Savoy Ballroom (now the Parkway Ballroom)
THE POLICY GUARDIAN
NATHAN THOMPSON
by: Carisa Crawford Chappell
As Nathan Thompson talks about his journey to discovering black Chicago's little talked about past and what it means for future generations, you can hear the excitement in his voice. It all started with a question. Nathan said: "I wanted to know more about what the brothers were doing back in the days of Al Capone." Thompson also worked as a librarian and said the more he dug into the story the more it started unfolding.
A TIMELINE OF INNOVATION SPARKED BY POLICY
The game of Policy was more than a lottery. This economic structure fueled innovation and entrepreneurship across Black Chicago, particularly in Bronzeville. This timeline celebrates the remarkable milestones and achievements born from this unique ecosystem, highlighting the enduring legacy of creativity and enterprise within the community.
THE CENTENARIANS
ON POLICY
In January 2019, we had the privilege of interviewing two of the living legends of Historic Black Chicago. These extraordinary individuals, each surpassing the age of 100, retained their sharp wit and clarity until the very end. We invited them to share their firsthand accounts of this dynamic and culturally rich chapter of Black history.
MY GRANDMOTHER,
MATH & ME
by: Najja Shakir Al-Islam, PhD
My earliest memory, as a young boy, was being joined at my grandmother’s hip when she was hard at work. My grandmother, Gladys McDowell, worked inside of a 3-bedroom apartment. She worked as a well-known Policy Writer in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, IL. It is without question that by watching Grandma work long hours as a well-respected policy writer, it would influence my personal academic journey to earn a terminal degree in the field of Mathematics.
CHICAGO'S OLDEST
POLICY MACHINE
A rare glimpse into Chicago's history, this is the city’s oldest surviving policy machine, dating back to 1885. Once owned by prominent Chicago historian Charles Bowen, the machine has an intriguing lineage. Bowen acquired it from the esteemed Black art dealer and former DuSable Museum Board Chairman, Archie Listenbee. In a significant transfer of heritage, Bowen recently entrusted the machine to The Obsidian Collection Archives.
