Photographer And Curator Unearth Hidden Photos Of Black Chicago

“Pictured is Gwendolyn Brooks”, University of Chicago, June 7, 1987
"Pictured is Gwendolyn Brooks", University of Chicago, June 7, 1987
“Pictured is Gwendolyn Brooks”, University of Chicago, June 7, 1987
"Pictured is Gwendolyn Brooks", University of Chicago, June 7, 1987

Photographer And Curator Unearth Hidden Photos Of Black Chicago

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Chicago Sun-Times was responsible for some iconic images of life in the city, including all events that lifted residents and those that left deep scars. The decline of newspaper revenues and changing media priorities made them lay off its entire full time photography staff. But their work is getting new life, specifically images of everyday life of Chicagoans.

Two girls double dutching (original Sun-Times caption simply says: “Olympic-like events”), Cabrini-Green, 1984. (Sun-Times Negative Collection)

Two girls double dutching (original Sun-Times caption simply says: “Olympic-like events”), Cabrini-Green, 1984. (Sun-Times Negative Collection)

In this May 11, 1967, file photo, Muhammad Ali speaks at an anti-war rally at the University of Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Harrity, File)

In this May 11, 1967, file photo, Muhammad Ali speaks at an anti-war rally at the University of Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Harrity, File)

Black Muslim students, 1975, Sun-Times Print Collection

Blvck Vrchives is a series of slideshows about both big and small happenings of the community.

Black Muslim students, 1975, Sun-Times Print Collection

Blvck Vrchives is a series of slideshows about both big and small happenings of the community.


Renata Cherlise is the creator, and we talk with her and Danielle Scruggs, Director of Photography at Chicago Reader, about the archive’s collaboration with the paper.