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U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood Staff Dialogues on ''Reclaiming the Narrative'' Exhibit at Gaylord Building

(L to R) Dr. Dennis Cremin, director of º£½ÇÉçÇø History Center, Morgan Jennings, º£½ÇÉçÇø student coordinator of the exhibit, US Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Pamela Owens, executive director of Gaylord Building

US Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and her staff recently looked deeper into the historical context of current social and economic challenges in the Joliet area.   

During an all-staff meeting on September 6, held at the , attendees toured and engaged in discussions about the "Reclaiming the Narrative: Restoring Black Voices to the Story of Joliet" exhibit. Leading the informative session were Dr. Dennis H. Cremin, director of º£½ÇÉçÇø’s History Center and history professor, along with Morgan Jennings. She played a pivotal role as the student coordinator for the exhibit, offering unique insights and perspectives during the discussion.  

"Reclaiming the Narrative" is an ambitious project that focuses on regional historical collections, aiming to amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities. The educational and eye-opening exhibition is a collaborative effort by the º£½ÇÉçÇø History Center, Second Baptist Church, Mount Zion Baptist Church, The National Hook-up of Black Women Joliet Inc., and Warren-Sharpe Community Center.  

Funded by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation's "Broadening Narratives" initiative, º£½ÇÉçÇø students conducted site visits to digitize materials provided by Joliet community members. The core collection of documents, including organizational histories, papers, and images, vividly portrays the rich history of African Americans in Joliet, Illinois. These stories are not just about the past; they are the stories of a community telling its own history.  

The Joliet region has been home to African Americans since before its incorporation in 1852. They have made significant contributions to the community, finding jobs, building lives, and celebrating life in the Des Plaines River Valley. Despite this deep-rooted history, the Black community's stories have often been on the periphery of historical narratives. "Reclaiming the Narrative" seeks to rectify this exclusion by highlighting the contributions of four African-American organizations to the region's diversity.  

The banner exhibit will continue its journey to the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff History Center on September 28, where it will be a part of the "" panel discussion. The event will feature Cremin along with Jennings. This discussion will provide a platform to explore the history of African Americans in both Joliet and Lake Forest, examining the similarities and differences in their community development.  

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