(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, a well regarded local historian and now brand ambassador at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, spoke with WBBM about some of the lesser known Black historical sites in Chicago.
“Unity Hall, today's a part of [Illinois Institute of Technology]'s campus, but Unity Hall was the headquarters of Oscar De Priest,” Thomas said.
Oscar De Priest was the first Black man from the North elected to congress.
“When he was the only black man there, Senate or House, the only black guy there for his entire time that he was in Congress.
“A lot of people don't know about Unity Hall, I think it's important because it sets the tone for when we have the first Mexican American in Congress, right, the first Asian American in Congress.”
If De Priest doesn’t sound familiar, Thomas does have some names with local ties that are a little more recognizable.
“You know, the fact that Nat King Cole's childhood home is over here on 40th Street and Vincennes Avenue, and the House of Louis Armstrong's shared with Lil Hardin 421 East 44th Street.
“At 720 East 44th Street, the Mabel Banks home, and it was again a Negro Green Book home. That's where Satchel Paige and other Negro League players would have to stay anytime they were playing.”
This year marks the first Black History month since Negro League stats were combined with Major League Baseball.
Find local historian Sherman Dilla Thomas at the DuSable Black History museum, @6figgadilla online, or join him for one of his Mahogany Tours, visiting local Black historical sites.
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