Resilience and Revolution: Audio Tour of Chicago’s Black History

Overview

Chicago is inseparable from its Black history, where local pioneers helped shape the city’s story. On this self-guided audio tour through downtown Chicago, you’ll hear untold stories of Black excellence, resilience, and activism that transformed both the city and the nation. From Underground Railroad stations to civil rights battlegrounds, you’ll discover how Chicago became a beacon for those seeking freedom and opportunity. Starting at the site of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable’s mansion near the Chicago River, you’ll follow the footsteps of the city’s founder: a Black man who established Chicago’s first trading post in the 1770s. You’ll walk through the heart of the Loop, exploring sites where pioneering entrepreneurs like John Jones built businesses that became platforms for activism. The tour ends at Grant Park, where Barack Obama delivered his historic presidential acceptance speech in 2008 – a moment that represented the culmination of generations of struggle.