Valentine’s Day is a day for love. So, today I would like to share a few South Side treasures that I love, in no particular order.
Located on 87th & Hermitage, this restaurant serves old school fried chicken. If you have church mothers over 70 years old that still cook, you know what I mean. But they have to be church mothers. New school chicken joints have nothing on church mothers’ cooking, unless a mother taught the cook how to fry chicken. You have to pass the place after 12 p.m. to smell the food cooking.
This library is home to the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature and my second home. In case you didn’t know, Vivian Harsh was the first black librarian in Chicago in 1932. This collection houses out of print books and literature about black life and culture all over the world. You can also find special papers from great people in Chicago’s black history, including Dr. Timuel Black, the great Bronzeville Historian, and Rev. Addie Wyatt, a pioneering black women in the labor movement. In fact, there is a special exhibit about Rev. Wyatt at Vivian Harsh right now.
DuSable Museum of African American History
I celebrate black history all year long and DuSable Museum of African American History is open year round, but is closed on Monday. As I mentioned in a previous article, it was the first museum about African American life and culture in Chicago and the United States in 1961. And it was named after Jean Baptiste DuSable, the first settler of this city who was a black man.
Chicago Independent Bulletin newspaper
This is the only newspaper that serves all of the South Side. There are several other South Side newspapers that are doing a great job serving their communities like the Chicago Citizen in Chatham, Hyde Park Herald and The Beverly Review. But The Bulletin services the entire South Side, and has been doing so for over 40 years.
Started by Jean Carter Hill, this organization was created to improve the quality of life in the Englewood community. When Ms. Hill first started with a vision to educate Englewood residents about the impact of lead poisoning in the community, and to take the care to reduce, and possibly, eliminate it. Her mission and vision has grown to teach students how to write journalism; how to report about the community; and how to become advocates for issues they believe in.
Kennedy King College is one of the best kept secrets on the South Side. Of course, if there is no controversy surrounding anything on the South Side, it is not reported. Anyway, in addition to a relatively new facility and change of location, KKC has a state-of-the-art broadcasting department. The pool is nice and the instructor, Coach Henry, has a unique way of teaching you how to swim. I’ll be back as soon as the weather in Chicago gets a little better.
Genesis Housing Development Corporation
Genesis is committed to rebuilding the community – literally and figuratively. The organization was instrumental in building homes in the Bronzeville community, when it started to become blighted. Now, they build and restore homes in South Side communities that were impacted by the recent real estate bust, including Auburn Gresham, Chatham and Grand Crossing.
They helped several hundred families save their homes through the Illinois Hardest Hit program. Also, they offer weatherization services; free training to become weatherization specialists; and homebuyer workshops and seminars in various locations throughout the city.
Pedro, the owner of Delux Florist & Gifts, has been in the Auburn Gresham community for over 20 years. Delux sells flowers, candy and gift basket for all occasions – weddings, graduation, funerals, Mother’s Day and “just because”. Stop by and pick up a gift for your sweetheart today!
This restaurant does not just serve food; it serves the community. Community, networking and family events are held there. Minister Farrakhan even held a televised social media town hall at Salaam. And the food is delicious!
A lot of people don’t know that this place exists but they are doing great work. Located at 66th & Cottage Grove, the YWCA offers several programs that help women progress personally and professionally. And the staff is committed to your success.
What About You?
What are some of of the South Side treasures you love?
Let us know in the comment section below.
Images:chicagoschoolreviews.com, yelp.com, ywca,
