Shorefront Journal
Uncovering stories is a part of Shorefront’s DNA

Shorefront Journal

Shorefront Journal is the official online publication of Shorefront. Occasional postings explore local Black history, work within Shorefront and welcomes contributing articles from the general public. The original journal began in 1999 as a printed quarterly. In 2012, the journal transitioned online with an annual printed version. Several issues of the original journal can be found at issuu.com/shorefront.

For submissions: Send articles and supporting images for consideration to shorefront@me.com

Re-posting: Please cite “shorefrontlegacy.org” when reposting any Shorefront media and publications originating from Shorefront Journal

Publications: Visit lulu.com/spotlight/shorefrontpress for all of Shorefront’s active publications through Shorefront Press.

In 1999, Shorefront Journal, in its original printed form, was released to meet the need of sharing these significant stories to the general public. Published quarterly, this informal journal gave voice to the many historical moments throughout the Northern suburbs of Chicago.

The journal also gave exposure to more than 60 contributing writers — students, professors, historians alike — and became a venue for writers to share their stories and skills.

Shorefront welcomes the work of novice and professional writers and will make every effort to assure timely consideration of submissions. CLICK HERE to submit.

March 21, 201623

The Grandmothers. . .My Queens

— By Bruce King As a born and bred Evanstonian, both of my grandmothers came here from the South. They brought with them genteel ways and southern hospitality. That’s where their similarities ended. My paternal grandmother was a short, thick, very dark, very quiet and extremely powerful woman. She never rushed, was very methodical and...
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March 14, 20161

Of Two Churches

—By Dino Robinson and Rhonda Craven Both Ebenezer AME and Second Baptist share a founding history coming from early members attending a predominantly white church in Evanston. Many Black members of the First Baptist Church of Evanston (now Lake Street Church), for many reasons, requested and received their letter of dismission. From there, early member...
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February 15, 2016,,15

Tradesmen

— By Bruce Allen King Coming from a family that was grounded in Marcus Garvey’s theories of self-respect self-reliance and self-sufficiency, there was never any talk of “I can’t”, “I don’t know how” and “It can’t be done”. What I know now to be encouragement was, to a youth of 4, 5 or 6, more akin...
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December 28, 2015,4

I Believe I Can Fly: William “Wild Bill” Holmes

— By Kimberly Holmes Ross and Brittany Estell, Esq. “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” —Leonardo da Vinci William Allen Holmes was a pilot who acquired an appetite for flying. Not a...
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December 24, 2015,1

An Unassuming Place: My Internship Experience at the Shorefront Legacy Center

— By Nicole Gibby Munguia I can’t recall just what I expected to happen when I, an LIS graduate student with no prior archival experience (and admittedly, a vivid imagination), walked inside the Shorefront Legacy Center: the sound of the heavens opening? Angelic choirs singing the Hallelujah Chorus and precious collections bathed in rays of...
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December 17, 2015,,0

A Family Legacy: Esther Pringle Weldon reflects on her Family History

— By Dino Robinson Organized and to the point, Esther Pringle Weldon sat at her folding table behind several organized stacks of albums, obituaries, photographs and other family memorabilia. She is surrounded by photographs in her living and dining rooms meticulously displayed on the family piano, the couch and on chairs representing five generations of...
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