Estelle Black was born and raised in Rockford. Several years ago, she shared her life experience for an oral history project chronicling 66 African Americans who have lived in the Forest City for 25 years or more.
She was involved with a similar effort in the 1970's. That project was called "That Men Know So Little of Men: A History of the Negro in Rockford, Illinois, 1834-1973. Black is one of the panelists for tonight's presentation “Black Rockfordians: Their Journey Through the Forest City.” It is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford.
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 5
Where: North Suburban Library, Loves Park.
Did You Know?
Interviews from the "Black Rockfordians" oral history projects are archived at The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Collection Description: The Black Rockfordian Historical Focus Group (Ill.) sponsored oral history interviews for the publication of a book and DVD and in 2007 that includes more than 60 interviews; narrators speak about migration, overcoming obstacles, the Rockford educational system, the housing market, social outlets, and the role of black church. Interviewees were between 50 and 96 years old and had lived in community 25 years or more. Some had migrated from South Dakota, Colorado, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennesseee.
