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

Shorefront Journal

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.

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.

Shorefront Press is the Shorefront Legacy Centers publishing entity, producing relevant titles using in part or in whole, the Shorefront archives that stimulates discussion, furthers research, adds to the archives and engages communities. Publications are guided by the Shorefront core mission values: Collect, Preserve, Educate. To learn more about Shorefront's publications, click here.

Internship at the Shorefront Legacy Center

— By Elizabeth Sanderson I came to archive at Shorefront under the suggestion of Benn Joseph, the professor at my archiving class at Dominican University. Dino Robinson, Shorefront’s founder, was very approachable and informative and I greatly enjoy working for him. His personal knowledge of the growing collection continues to amaze me. What he began as...

Processing at Shorefront: A Powerful Experience

—by Angelique Schuler While completing my Master’s in Library and Information Science from Dominican University, I worked as an archival processing assistant for the University of Chicago’s Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC). At the BMRC, my primary task was to use Archivist Toolkit to create EAD finding aids. However, I was also given the opportunity...

Building the Library at Shorefront

— By Cassandra Harlan As the cataloger for three years at the Shorefront Legacy Center, I cataloged over 300 Africana books. When I arrived at Shorefront, the library consisted of four bookshelves filled with children, art, and fiction titles in semi-disarray. Today, there are seven books shelves, neatly organized and accessible to readers. A number...

Shorefront Update #007

One year ago, the Shorefront Legacy Center relocated from the historic former Foster School to the lower level of Sherman United Methodist Church. The Church is home to the first and only historically African American Methodist church—and named after an Evanston resident, Lula B. Sherman who hosted the congregation in her home during the early...

Mrs. Anest R. Marshall: Educating New Generations

— By Annette Logan Mrs. Marshall sat contently in her home, surrounded by 38 years of the memories of children’s laughter, questions, curiosity and activity when I interviewed her in 2003. The year prior, she closed her doors. In meeting her, you would have been immediately engrossed by her warm spirit and enthusiasm as she shared...

David F. James, Sr.: Influencing Social Change

— By Dino Robinson Winnetka entered a new chapter in its history in June, 1967 when the James family moved into the village. David James and his family was the first African American family to purchase a home in Winnetka during the 20th century. The last family that may have purchased a home was the...