16041. March 2024 Community Advisory Group Meeting (1:32:03)

Date:
2024-03-09
Main contributors:
Beria Hampton, Cheryl Johnson, Crystal Dalton, James Johnson, Jamira Owokoniran, Jasmine Ray, Kevin Lawson, LaFrieda McKnight, Lee Walker, Loretta Pinkerton Walker, Marguerite Jacobs, Mina Jefferson, Renae Rountree, Tasha Ellis, Terri Williams/Johnson, Tungee Garrett (Gi Gi), Tonina Scates, Zoe Manadier, Ben Helpand (technical advisor), Will Bouman (technical advisor), Maggie Catania (facilitator), Maya Etienne (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator), Angela Tillges (facilitator)
Summary:
In March of 2024, the community advisory group worked with technical advisor Ben Helphand from Neighborspace. An overview of Neighborspace and community land trust models was provided. The group then separated into two working groups, bylaws and land acquisition. This recording follows the land acquisition working group as they discuss available land, environmental remediation needs, and training on web resources to learn about land ownership, zoning, and environmental testing.

16042. May 2024 Community Advisory Group Meeting- Land Acquisition Working Group (1:32:36)

Date:
2024-05-11
Main contributors:
Adella Bass, Beria Hampton, Cheryl Hampton, Chrystal Dalton, James Johnson, Jamira Owokoniran, LaFrieda McKnight, Mina Jefferson, Nakhemya Byars, Nakhyya Carter, Renae McKnight Roundtree, Senora Fox Colbert, Tasha Ellis, Terri Williams/Johnson, Tungee Garrett (Gi Gi), Vivian Gray, Yonina Scates, Jenny Fronczak (technical advisor), Will Bouman (technical advisor), Maggie Catania (facilitator), Maya Etienne (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator), Angela Tillges (facilitator)
Summary:
In May 2024, the Community Advisory Group stressed the need to document change over time in Riverdale’s landscape. Members emphasized that creating a record of the community’s composition before gentrification would enable the CLT to better protect long-term residents from the displacing effects of new developments and neighbors with higher wealth brackets. The Advisory Group split into two working groups one focused on land mapping and the other on bylaws for the Community Land Trust. The land mapping group developed ideas for the infrastructure and programming that should take shape on acquired land. Members emphasized the need for biodiversity, youth and community member skill development.

16043. Mr. Ronald Gaines Interview (26:39)

Date:
2024-09-04
Main contributors:
Mr. Ronald Gaines, Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
In this oral history Mr. Ronald Gaines discussed how he first connected to and purchased Chicago's Finest Marina- the oldest black owned marina in Chicago and at the time of this interview a newly designated site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Mr. Gaines is a retired Chicago police sergeant and many of his family members work for the Chicago Police Department and in public safety. He spoke of the unique vantage that offers them in the community. He described family legacy connected to Freedom Seekers. His ancestor William Washington Gaines sought freedom after fleeing Virginia and began freeing other family members gathering again to make life near Marquette, Michigan.

16044. Mr. Ronald Gaines Interview (Cut 1) (01:32)

Date:
2024-09-04
Main contributors:
Mr. Ronald Gaines, Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
In this oral history Mr. Ronald Gaines discussed how he first connected to and purchased Chicago's Finest Marina- the oldest black owned marina in Chicago and at the time of this interview a newly designated site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

16045. Mr. Ronald Gaines Interview (Cut 2) (03:25)

Date:
2024-09-04
Main contributors:
Mr. Ronald Gaines, Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
In this oral history Mr. Ronald Gaines discussed the boating community on the Little Calumet River in Chicago. He explains his connection to the Riverdale Community Area and the feel of the community and surrounding nature.

16046. Beria-Creativity and Education_River Days_Social Stories-July 2022 (08:35)

Date:
2022-07-30
Main contributors:
Beria Hampton, Nia Cunningham (facilitator), Angela Tillges (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
In this social story Beria Hampton and neighbors discuss the incredible creativity in her community while she was growing up. She speaks to the systematic disinvestmentof the community in resources and especially in education. This conversation took place at a River Day Event. River Days was a series of monthly social and educational gatherings held along the river at Chicago's Finest Marina. Chicago's Finest Marina is the oldest continuously Black- owned marina in Chicago. Owned by the Gaines family, the marina provides event space and water access for boaters. The Gaines additionally interpret and elevate the stories of the Self Liberators on the Underground Railroad who sheltered on the land now occupied by the Marina as they journeyed to freedom. In the spirit of this legacy, River Days welcomed community members to the river for food, activities, and neighborly conversations about the land, water, and community well-being. Co-designed by Wayfinding and community organizations, these events also included programming such as yoga, story collecting and mapping, planting demos, music, bird walks, kayak demos, bingo, and art installations. Attendees were simultaneously introduced to the marina space, local garden, historic freedom sites, and other neighborhood resources, and invited as stakeholders into conversations about the future of Riverdale's public lands.

16047. Mr. Ronald Gaines Interview (Cut 3) (02:58)

Date:
2024-09-04
Main contributors:
Mr. Ronald Gaines, Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
In this oral history Mr. Ronald Gaines discussed his family, the next generation, and the legacy he is creating for his family. He purchased the marina, now Chicago's Finest Marina, and later learned of the land's history together with researchers and historians. at the time of this interview a newly designated site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

16048. Beria-Resource, No Resource_River Days_Social Stories-July 2022 (05:13)

Date:
2022-07-30
Main contributors:
Beria Hampton, Nia Cunningham (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator), Angela Tillges (facilitator)
Summary:
In this social story Beria Hampton explained how her neighborhood went from being fully resourced to having no resources at A River Day Event. River Days was a series of monthly social and educational gatherings held along the river at Chicago's Finest Marina. Chicago's Finest Marina is the oldest continuously Black-owned marina in Chicago. Owned by the Gaines family, the marina provides event space and water access for boaters. The Gaines additionally interpret and elevate the stories of the Self Liberators on the Underground Railroad who sheltered on the land now occupied by the Marina as they journeyed to freedom. In the spirit of this legacy, River Days welcomed community members to the river for food, activities, and neighborly conversations about the land, water, and community well-being. Co-designed by Wayfinding and community organizations, these events also included programming such as yoga, story collecting and mapping, planting demos, music, bird walks, kayak demos, bingo, and art installations. Attendees were simultaneously introduced to the marina space, local garden, historic freedom sites, and other neighborhood resources, and invited as stakeholders into conversations about the future of Riverdale's public lands.

16049. Closing (01:08)

Date:
2022-11-06
Main contributors:
Ethel wells, Angela Tillges (facilitator) , Fatimah Harris (facilitator)
Summary:
At the closing of this story circle, Ms. Ethel Wells described what she would like to see for the future of the community.

16050. Cynthia Lane-I love Altgeld (01:02)

Date:
2022-11-06
Main contributors:
Cynthia Lane (Pastor's Wife)
Summary:
Ms. Cynthia Lane described her husband's love and commitment to Altgeld Garden as a community pastor.

16051. Cynthia Lane-The Pastor and the Church Row (02:04)

Date:
2024
Main contributors:
Cynthia Lane
Summary:
Ms. Cynthia Lane described her connection to church row, how she met her husband and became the pastor's wife. She described her husband's visionary plans for the church and the community along the Little Calumet River.

16053. Drugs as a Family Business (01:50)

Date:
2022-09-23
Main contributors:
Beria Hampton, Ms. Rose, Nia Cunningham (facilitator), Angela Tillges (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
Ms. Rose discussed how she has seen drugs become the family business where all family members get involved. Ms. Beria discusses the difference s between gangs and cliques.

16055. Mr. Ronald Gaines Interview (Cut 4) (04:41)

Date:
2024-09-04
Main contributors:
Mr. Ronald Gaines, Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
In this oral history Mr. Ronald Gaines discussed his family history- Gaines Rock in Michigan is named after his ancestral family members who sought freedom. He spoke to the additional connection to the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom at the site of his business Chicago Finest Marina. He is a steward of the freedom seeking legacy.

16056. Ms. Enis-Library-Youth (02:47)

Date:
2022-08-09
Main contributors:
Rena Enis, Joan Mown, Gregory Mown, Deloris Lucas, Fatimah Harris Al-Nurridin, Nia Cunningham (facilitator), Maggie Catania (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
Ms. Rena Enis discussed the challenges of the newly built Altgeld Branch, Chicago Public Library. She described the need for library staff to connect to the community especially the young people. As a shared public resource there are challenges between different user groups in the library and an opportunity to engage youth in a constructive way.

16057. Ms. Enis-Greens and Mac (01:19)

Date:
2022-08-09
Main contributors:
Rena Enis, Joan Mown, Gregory Mown, Deloris Lucas, Fatimah Harris Al-Nurridin, Nia Cunningham (facilitator), Maggie Catania (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
Ms. Rena Enis discussed how she cooks healthy Sunday dinner as a way to give back to her community.

16058. Ms. Harris Al-Nurridin-Healthy Food and Soil (02:37)

Date:
2022-08-09
Main contributors:
Rena Enis, Joan Mown, Gregory Mown, Deloris Lucas, Fatimah Harris Al-Nurridin, Nia Cunningham (facilitator), Maggie Catania (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
Ms. Fatimah Harris Al-Nurridin discussed how she became involved in the community food movement. She explains how food is connected to land and community health and wellness.

16059. UCAN Story Circle (23:09)

Date:
2022-09-23
Main contributors:
Beria Hampton, Ms. Rose, Nia Cunningham (facilitator), Angela Tillges (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
This Story Circle features a conversation between Beria and Ms. Rose two UCAN employees. They discuss violence prevention in the community and the changing nature of family dynamics. UCAN Riverdale is a nonprofit serving youth who are in the care of the state child welfare system as well as youth who have been removed from their homes for reasons of abuse or neglect. UCAN also works with the families of these children. Guided by a common clinical philosophy, UCAN seeks to facilitate holistic healing for these families.

16060. Yonina Scates Interview (02:37)

Date:
2023-10-07
Main contributors:
Senora Fox Colbert, Yonina Scates, Angela Tillges (facilitator), Rebecca Hunter (facilitator)
Summary:
As a returning resident and self-described “generational curse breaker,” Yonina considers the Gardens her personal “heaven.”