To complement the program of All Docent Day, we present some resources highlighting the work of Black architects and their work in Chicago.
We begin with a bit of history from the 1893 World’s Fair.
Frederick Douglass’s Defiant Stand at Chicago’s World’s Fair | WTTW Chicago
This article introduces Chicago projects of black architects including photos and an interactive map:
“10 notable Chicago projects designed by black architects”
https://chicago.curbed.com/maps/black-architects-design-architecture-chicago
Taking a closer look at some of the architects mentioned.
Walter Thomas Bailey
The first black architect registered in Illinois and designer of the First Church of the Deliverance on Chicago’s south side is profiled in these articles which include bibliographies.
Tim Samuelson, “Walter Thomas Bailey”
Unattributed article, “Walter T. Bailey”
Kara Walton, “Faces from the Past”
https://kewanee-history.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Walter-Bailey-Bio.pdf
A story about the Chatham neighborhood also highlights the importance of Walter Thomas Bailey and K. Roderick O’Neal: “At Home in Chatham: A Bounty of Mid-Century Modern on the South Side, Where the African-American Elite Once ‘Strutted Their Stuff’” by former CAC staffer Krisann Rehbein and including quotes from Joe La Rue, CAC docent emeritus.
Wendell Campbell
Biography of Wendell Campbell, with various segments and video connections:
https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/wendell-campbell-39.
John Gay of JAQ
As mentioned in the Curbed Chicago article, Gay developed a unique design philosophy using jazz music to inspire the texture, colors and materials in his projects. “Meet John Gay of JAQ Corp in North Kenwood,” VoyageChicago, September 26, 2017.
http://voyagechicago.com/interview/meet-john-gay-jaq-corp-int-p-c-north-kenwood-bronzville/
Dina Griffin
Describes her working as architect of record with Renzo Piano on the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago: “Woman at the Head of Architect of Architect Firm Breaking New Ground,” South Florida Times, December 23, 2010
http://www.sfltimes.com/uncategorized/woman-at-the-head-of-architect-firm-breaking-new-ground
Moody-Nolan
Moody-Nolan is the country’s largest African American led firm. The video and article showcase some of their Chicago work. Their web site includes the firm’s history and their many recent projects. “Largest African American owned architecture firm in the nation dedicated to inspiring Chicago’s youth”
Moody-Nolan Architects (UIC Mile Square Health Center Building, Wood & Roosevelt)
John Moutoussamy
On his design of Johnson Publishing Building:
https://preservationchicago.org/newsletter_posts/chicago-landmark-designation/
The house Moutoussamy designed for his family is included in the recent book “Modern in the Middle” by Susan Benjamin and Michelangelo Sabatino.