Category Archives: Chicago Writing
Dempsey J. Travis: Refusing to Learn to Fail
Born in Chicago in 1920, Dempsey J. Travis became a self-made millionaire, one of the country’s most successful black entrepreneurs. He was president and CEO of Travis Realty Co., but his many interests and his intense commitment to the community took him … Continue reading
Leanita McClain: The Middle-class Black’s Burden
Leanita McClain’s elegant, but also blunt writing brought into focus the intersection of race, politics, justice, and family life as passionately as any writer in America ever has. McClain (1952-1984), the first Black member of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board … Continue reading
WBEZ interviews Richard Guzman about Black Writing from Chicago
In 2006 shortly after the release of my book Black Writing from Chicago: In the World, Not of It? WBEZ, Chicago, 91.5 FM—the nation’s largest Public Radio station—called to set up an interview. Steve Edwards did his typically fine intro and … Continue reading