>>> HI THERE, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, COMMUNITY FORMS ARE UNDERWAY FOR CHICAGO'S NEXT POLICE SUPERINTENDENT.

THE LATEST IN THAT SEARCH.

AN ART INSTALLATION RECLAIMING DIFFICULT CHICAGO HISTORY IN FULL BLOOM IN SOUTHSIDE WASHINGTON PARK.

AND BOOKCLUB, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AUTHOR RACHEL JAMISON WEBSTER DISCOVERS A FAMOUS BLACK SCIENTIST IN HER FAMILY TREE?

AND A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOUNG IN EAST GARFIELD PARK.

ALL THAT COMING UP.

>>> THE FIRST STORY TONIGHT, CHICAGO HAS AN INTERIM TOP COP, BUT HOW IS THE SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT COMING ALONG?

AN UPDATE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES, MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY FIFTH THIRD BANK AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>>> WE BELIEVE WHEN DIVERSE VOICES ARE HEARD AND EMPOWERED, COMMUNITIES ARE MADE STARTED, LIVES ARE MADE BETTER, AND TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

TOGETHER WE CAN DRIVE CHANGE.

>>> THE SEARCH IS UNDERWAY FOR CHICAGO'S NEXT POLICE SUPERINTENDENT.

THIS AS MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON SELECTS FRED WALLER TO LEAD THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT UNTIL A PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT IS CHOSEN.

UNTIL THEN, THE CITY COMMUNITY COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS IN CHARGE OF RECOMMENDING THREE CANDIDATES TO MAYOR-ELECT JOHNSON BY JULY 14.

THE COMMISSION HAS ALREADY HAD A FEW FORUMS ACROSS THE CITY TO GET INPUT FROM RESIDENTS.

JOINING US WITH THE LATEST ON THIS ARE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION, ANTHONY DRIVER, AND COMMISSIONER, RAMEL PERRY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

RAMEL, YOU ARE STILL ON THE OUTREACH PART OF THE PROCESS.

YOU HAVE A FOREARM HAPPENING THIS PAST WEEK.

HOW HAVE THEY BEEN GOING?

>> THEY HAVE BEEN GOING EXTREMELY WELL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US ON TO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS.

WE HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THESE FORUMS.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE HAD TO EXPANDED BEYOND THE FOUR WE INITIALLY PLANNED.

WE HAVE ABOUT THREE ADDITIONAL.

RESIDENTS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROCESS TO BE HEARD.

WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THEM BE A PART OF IT.

>> ANTHONY DRIVER, SAY PRESSURE TO YOU.

HOW HAS THE PROCESS BEEN GOING SO FAR?

>> I THINK IT HAS BEEN GOING AMAZING.

THE AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER, THE SMALLEST ATTENDANCE WAS 100 PEOPLE THE THAT ONE OF THE 50 PEOPLE, AND THAT WAS A VIRTUAL.

PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD AND SHARING PERSONAL TESTIMONIALS.

IT IS VERY HELPFUL FOR US.

WE WILL TAKE THOSE QUESTIONS AND ASKED THEM DIRECTLY TO SUPERINTENDENT CANDIDATES.

>> HAVE YOU BEEN SURPRISED BY WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD?

>> SOME OF IT WAS EXPECTED, BUT WILL I HAVE.

I DID NOT EXPECT THE OUTPOURING OF PERSONALS STORIES.

PEOPLE TELLING INTIMATE DETAILS OF THEIR LIFE AND EXPERIENCES WITH POLICE A.

THERE IS A DOMINANT NARRATIVE OUT THERE, BUT IT HAS BEEN ACROSS THE BOARD.

RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED VIEWS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY SHARED PUBLICLY IN THE MEDIA LOT.

I THINK THAT WAS ALSO SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING AND SURPRISING.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE VIEWS THAT YOU FEEL DON'T GET HURT SO MUCH?

>> RESIDENTS WHO WANT A SUPERINTENDENT WHO IS PRESENT.

RESIDENTS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE RANK AND FILE IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, SOMEONE THEY CAN TRUST, SOMEONE WHO WILL PUT THEIR VOICE FIRST.

I HAVE HEARD MOSTLY THE FOLKS WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS ENGAGED AND WHO IS A LEADER.

THERE HAS BEEN A REAL LACK OF LEADERSHIP.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT ATTENDED ONE OF THE COMMISSIONS FORUMS .

HERE IS WHAT ONE ATTENDEE HAD TO SAY.

>> TWO WORDS I KEEP HEARING, AND I HAVE KEPT HEARING FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, IS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

I HAVE NOT HEARD THE WORD RESPONSIBILITY .

SO WHEN YOU PUT ALL THREE OF THOSE WORDS TOGETHER , THAT IS WHEN YOU HAVE A VIABLE COMMUNITY.

THAT IS WHEN YOU HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING AMONGST EACH OTHER.

>> WHAT KIND OF EMOTIONS ARE YOU SENSING AT THESE FORUMS ?

>> PEOPLE ARE PASSIONATE.

THAT IS CLEAR.

AT EVERY TRAN40, 40 OR 50 PEOPLE COME UP TO THE PODIUM AND MAKE THEIR VOICE OR.

I HAVE HAD PEOPLE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY POLICE VIOLENCE, FOLKS DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, FOLKS WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES.

AS THEY COME AND MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD, MANY TIMES I SEE PEOPLE ACTUALLY SHED A TEAR OR GET VERY EMOTIONAL.

I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

>> AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON SELECTED FRED WALLER TO LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT UNTIL A PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT IS CHOSEN.

HERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> WE MUST ALSO BE MINDFUL OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

WE MUST REBUILD TRUST, WE MUST REBUILD MORALE IN THE DEPARTMENT.

WE CAN AND WILL DO BOTH.

>> BEARLIKE JOHNSON HAS SAID THAT WALLER WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE TO SERVE IN THE POSITION PERMANENTLY.

RAMEL, REMIND US WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IN A PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT AND YOUR LIST OF NEEDS, HASN'T CHANGED AT ALL OVER THE COURSE OF THESE FORUMS?

>> I THINK THE NEEDS ARE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND EVEN SOME OF THE OFFICERS WHERE THE LEADERSHIP WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH.

WE REALLY WANT SOMEONE WHO HAS STRONG MORALS, WHO IS AN EFFECTIVE LEADER.

WE DO NEED TO ENSURE THAT OFFICERS INSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE WILLING TO FOLLOW THIS PERSON.

THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WHAT WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR IS SOMEONE WHO IS CAPABLE TO PULL TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT WALLER MENTIONED.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH TRUST WITHIN NEIGHBORHOODS, BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE HEARING AT THE FORUMS ARE THAT COMMUNITY RESIDENTS DO WANT TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH OFFICERS.

AND SO, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE WE HAVE A CANDIDATE THAT POSSESSES THE ABILITY TO EFFECTIVE LEAD, AS WELL AS BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

>> RAMEL, THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS THAT MAYOR-ELECT JOHNSON HAS BEEN TRYING TO INFLUENCE THE PROCESS.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOHNSON HAVING ANY SAY IN OUR PROCESS, PERSONALLY.

I KNOW HE HAS TAKEN PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO EXPRESS HOW HE FEELS IN THE MEDIA, WHICH IS HIS RIGHT TO DO SO.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS COMMISSION, WHICH WE ALWAYS SPEAK ABOUT, IS THAT WE ARE INDEPENDENT.

WE ARE NOT A PART OF AN ADMINISTRATION.

AND SO, WE STILL GET TO BE THE FOREMOST AUTHORITY IN MAKING THIS ELECTION WITH THE INPUT OF ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS.

I AM EXCITED THAT EVERYONE HAS THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS, BUT AS A COMMISSION, WE WILL DEFINITELY BE MAKING THIS DECISION INDEPENDENTLY.

>> JUST TO ADD TO THAT, I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MAYOR-ELECT JOHNSON, AND ALSO MEMBERS OF THE TEAM , UNEQUIVOCALLY, THEY HAVE NOT TRIED TO INFLUENCE THE PROCESS IN ANY WAY.

IF ANYTHING, THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BE HELPFUL.

>> CHICAGO POLICE OVERSIGHT AGENCY RELEASED A VIDEO OF A POLICE OFFICER FATALLY SHOOTING A 24-YEAR-OLD MAN IN GARFIELD PARK LAST MONTH.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A BIT OF THAT NOW.

I KNOW YOU ALL ARE NOT ABLE TO SPEAK TO SPECIFIC CASES.

RAMEL, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR COPA TO RELEASE FOOTAGE?

>> I DO THINK WE HAVE SEEN PROGRESS OVER THE YEARS WITH COPA.

THEY HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB WITH GETTING INFORMATION OUT.

ALSO MAKING SURE TO ENGAGE FAMILY MEMBERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BRINGING THEM IN AND GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY IF THEY DESIRE TO SEE THE VIDEO PRIOR TO IT BEING RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC.

SO WE HAVE SEEN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VARIOUS ENTITIES.

FOR THE MOST PART, THAT IS WHAT I WILL SAY.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS AS THE COMMISSION GETS TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THESE VARIOUS ENTITIES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE MEETING THEIR GOALS.

TIMELINESS IS ONE OF THE THINGS.

>> YOU ALL HAVE A DEADLINE OF NOMINATING CANDIDATES COMING UP JULY 14.

ANTHONY, WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP AFTER YOU TAKEN ALL THIS INFORMATION?

AT WHAT POINT DO YOU START ASSEMBLING THE LIST OF CANDIDATES?

>> THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 7.

AS OF THIS MORNING, WE HAVE 17 APPLICATIONS.

I EXPECT THE NUMBER TO INCREASE BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

ON MONDAY MORNING, WE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AND UPDATE THE PUBLIC ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS.

WE WILL IMMEDIATELY START CALLING PEOPLE IN FOR INTERVIEWS AND TRY TO MOVE AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE TO GET THE THREE NAMES BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF JULY 14 BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM ME ON MONDAY.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> FIRST-TIME MOTHERHOOD COMES WITH A LOT OF JOY, BUT IT ALSO COMES WITH A LOT OF WORK.

FOR YOUNG MOMS, RAISING A BABY WHILE STILL GROWING UP THEMSELVES IS ALL THE MORE CHALLENGING.

FOR 40 YEARS, SAINT VISITS PROJECT HOPE PROGRAM HAVE COMBINED PRENATAL SUPPORT AND PARENTING CLASSES HELP LIFT UP YOUNG MOTHERS ON THE WEST SIDE.

THEY SAY IT'S AN APPROACH THAT SAVES LIVES.

>> WHERE IS PUMPKIN?

HERE I AM.

>> Reporter: AS PROGRAM MANAGER AT ST. FRANCIS FAMILY SERVICES IN EAST GARFIELD PARK, LOWRIDER PLAYS A LOT OF ROLES.

BUT SHE SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE IS CHIEF CHEERLEADER.

>> I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RESILIENCY OF THE YOUNGER MOMS.

HOW THEY DO LEARN TO BE GOOD MOTHERS, LEARN TO TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

HELPING THEM WITH THEIR EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: THE MOMS AND BABIES ARE PARTICIPANTS IN PROJECT HOPE, A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS YOUNG OTHERS THROUGH THEIR PREGNANCIES AND BEYOND.

THE PRENATAL SUPPORT COMES FROM TULIPS, WHO WAS A BIG PART OF THE JOB IS HELPING YOUNG MOMS USE THEIR VOICES.

>> OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE YOUNGER.

THEY ARE HESITANT IN SPEAKING UP FOR THEMSELVES.

OR THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY, OR THEY ARE JUST SCARED.

AND SO, WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO SPEAK.

WE TEACH THEM THROUGH THE PRENATAL CLASS.

WE ALSO FILL OUT A BIRTHING PLAN, HOW THEY WANT THE BIRTH TO HAPPEN, HOW THEY WANT THE LABOR AND DELIVERY TO GO.

ONCE THEY HAVE THE BABY, THEY HAVE TO TELL THEIR STORIES, THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF LABOR AND DELIVERY.

WHEN THEY WRITE IT OUT AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WROTE , THEY SAY, OH MY GOD.

I DID ALL OF THIS?

YES, YOU DID.

>> Reporter: ONCE THE BABIES ARRIVED, THE CARE CONTINUES THROUGH REGULAR PARENTING CLASSES AND PEER SUPPORT GROUPS.

>> THEY LEARN THINGS LIKE HOW TO INTERACT WITH THEIR CHILD ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE, PROPER NUTRITION IS ANOTHER THING WE FOCUS ON, HOW TO READ TO YOUR CHILD, HOW TO CHOOSE APPROPRIATE BOOKS, HOW TO USE AGE-APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINE.

WE ALSO WORK WITH THE MOTHERS TO HELP THEM WITH COPING SKILLS.

THINGS THEY NEED TO SURVIVE IN THE COMMUNITY ON THEIR OWN, AND TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THAT OVER THE YEARS, PROJECT HOPE TO SEE MANY BIG SUCCESS STORIES.

BUT IT IS THE LITTLE ONES THAT MEAN THE MOST.

>> HAD A MOM WHO WAS HOMELESS, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO GET AN APARTMENT.

SHE WAS ABLE TO GET HER GED.

SHE HAS TWO BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRLS .

WHEN SHE CAME AND TOLD US ABOUT THIS SUCCESS, SHE WAS SO EXCITED.

WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE WE HAVEN'T LOST ANY MOMS IN CHILDBIRTH IN 40 YEARS.

WE HAVEN'T LOST A CHILD EITHER IN CHILDBIRTH.

THAT SAYS A LOT.

A NEW MOM UNDERSTANDS , I HAVE A CHILD.

I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MY CHILD.

I HAVE HELP.

I AM NOT BY MYSELF.

I HAVE HELP.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD, BECAUSE IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A CHILD.

WHEN THEY CAN FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE IN THEIR SPACE, IT MEANS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

>> THE DOULAS ALSO OFFER PRENATAL SUPPORT FOR YOUNG INCARCERATED MOMS IN A COOK COUNTY PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND MORE ON THE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT PROGRAM ON HER WEBSITE.

>>> UP NEXT, WE SPEAK WITH A LOCAL AUTHOR WHO DISCOVERED A FAMOUS ANCESTOR IN A CONVERSATION RECORDED EARLIER.

>>> AMERICANS ARE DISCOVERING FAMILY SECRETS EVERY DAY THANKS TO DNA TESTING AND ONLINE GENEALOGY, BUT NOT EVERYONE LEARNS THEY HAVE A LUMINARY OF BLACK AMERICAN HISTORY AS AN ANCESTOR.

HOWEVER, THAT WAS A CASE FOR RACHEL JAMISON WEBSTER.

SHE HAD BEEN UNAWARE OF HER BLACK ANCESTRY UNTIL SHE DISCOVERED SHE WAS RELATED TO SCIENTIST AND ALMANAC AUTHOR.

IN HER NEW BOOK, SHE DETAILS HOW SHE HUGE GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH AND COLLABORATED WITH NEWFOUND COUSINS TO DIVE INTO HER HISTORY AND RE-CREATE STORIES.

BUT IS CALLED 11 GENERATIONS OF AN AMERICAN FAMILY.

JOINING US NOW IS AUTHOR RACHEL JAMISON WEBSTER WHO IS ALSO PROFESSOR OF CREATIVE WRITING AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP.

>> IT WAS ALWAYS A FAMILY STORY.

MY COUSIN WAS DOING RESEARCH ON ANCESTRY DECON.COM AND DURING HER OWN GENEALOGY.

SHE DISCOVERED WE HAD GENERATIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND MULTIRACIAL ANCESTORS THAT HAD BEEN DENIED IN OUR FAMILY.

SHE WANTED TO LOOK THROUGH THAT LINE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD NOT EXAMINED.

WHEN SHE LOOKED THERE, SHE STARTED TURNING UP HIS INCREDIBLE STORIES.

SOME OF HER ANCESTORS HAD COME INTO OHIO AND ARGUED FOR THE RIGHT FOR AN EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

GOING BACK FURTHER, WE DISSENTED FROM THE SISTER OF BENJAMIN BANNEKER, JEMIMA.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED?

>> I WAS NOT AS SURPRISED AS YOU WOULD THINK TO LEARN THAT WE HAD AFRICAN-AMERICAN ANCESTRY.

I FELT SORT OF IT EXPLAINED SOME OF MY AFFINITIES AND THE KINDS OF COMMUNITIES I HAVE LOVED TO LIVE IN.

I FELT HAPPY ABOUT IT AND INTERESTED IN IT.

OF COURSE, TO FIND A CONNECTION TO, AS YOU SAY, A LUMINARY, AND SOMEONE AS BRILLIANT AND AMAZING AS BENJAMIN BANNEKER, THAT FELT LIKE A LOT TO TAKE IN.

>> HAVE TO LIVE UP TO THAT.

>> YES.

>> IN YOUR PROCESS, YOU MET AND CAME TO KNOW A LOT OF YOUR COUSINS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?

>> THAT WAS EVERYTHING.

I FOUND THESE STORIES.

I WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT THEM.

ANY RIDER WOULD.

I ALSO FELT IT WAS PROBLEMATIC FOR A WHITE WOMAN TO BE CLAIMING A FAMOUS BLACK ANCESTOR.

I HAD A PAUSE OF A FEW YEARS WHERE I DID RESEARCH AND REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT MY WAY INTO THE STORY.

THEN MY COUSIN GOT IN TOUCH WITH ME.

SHE SAW A LITTLE ESSAY I HAD WRITTEN AND SAID, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HER FAMILY.

AS SOON AS WE BEGAN SPEAKING, IT WAS LIKE WE KNEW EACH OTHER .

I UNDERSTOOD THIS WOULD BE THE FORUM FOR THE BOOK.

IT WOULD HAVE HISTORY, BUT IT WOULD ALSO HAVE PRESENT A CONVERSATION WITH MY BLACK COUSIN.

SHE INTRODUCED ME TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY, AND WE STARTED TALKING.

IT HAS BEEN AMAZING.

WE ARE VERY CLOSE.

WERE INVOLVED IN PROJECTS TOGETHER STILL.

IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.

>> TELL ME , YOU MENTIONED YOUR COUSIN, TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR OTHER COUSINS WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE STORYTELLING AND HOW THAT HELPED YOU NAVIGATE TO TELL THE STORY.

>> BECAUSE I WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT BLACK HISTORY, AND I ALSO WANTED TO EXPLORE THE LAWS AND THE WAY THE LAWS WERE SET UP TO, BASICALLY, CREATE DIVISION AND CREATE THIS FALLACY THAT WE WEREN'T RELATED, I WANTED TO EXPLORE ALL OF THAT, BUT I ALSO KNEW I COULDN'T WRITE FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A BLACK AMERICAN.

I WAS IN CONVERSATION WITH MY COUSINS, AND THEY GENEROUSLY SHARED STORIES FROM THEIR LIVES.

THEY SHARED THE ORAL HISTORIES.

THEN THEY SHARED THEIR OWN RESEARCH.

THE BOOK HAS A LOT OF RESEARCH CHAPTERS ABOUT THE ANCESTORS, AND THEN EVERY OTHER CHAPTER IS A PRESENT-DAY CONVERSATION WITH ME AND MY COUSINS.

>> THE BOOK TELLS A LOT OF WOMEN'S STORIES, INCLUDING THAT OF THE MOTHER OF BENJAMIN BANNEKER.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHO SHE WAS?

>> SHE WAS AMAZING.

>> SHE WAS A HEALER, AN HERBALIST.

THEY OWNED LAND.

THEY WERE FREED PEOPLE OF COLOR.

BENJAMIN BANNEKER WAS GROWING UP IN THE REVOLUTIONARY ERA.

HE WAS AS BRILLIANT SCIENTIST AND NATURALIST.

HIS MOTHER WAS AS WELL.

SHE WAS KNOWN TO BE AN HERBALIST AND SOMEONE WHO KNEW HOW TO HEAL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SHE GREW FOOD AND SOLD IT AT THE MILL IN THE AREA.

SHE WAS ALSO VERY ENTERPRISING.

HIS SISTERS WERE AS WELL.

HIS SISTER WAS A SEAMSTRESS.

ANOTHER SISTER WAS A MIDWIFE IN THE AREA.

BECAUSE HE BECAME FAMOUS IN HIS LIFETIME, WE HAVE STORIES ABOUT HIS FAMILY MEMBERS.

THAT IS WHAT -- THAT BECAME VERY SPECIAL, TO BE ABLE TO WRITE ABOUT THE WOMEN.

>> PART DOCUMENTATION OF ORAL HISTORY, PART SPECULATIVE HISTORY.

THAT'S A LOT.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT APPROACH?

>> I WANTED TO HONOR DIFFERENT WAYS OF KNOWING.

WE ARE VERY LUCKY, ESPECIALLY FOR A MULTIRACIAL FAMILY , A FAMILY OF BLACK ANCESTRY, TO BE ABLE TO DOCUMENT THIS FAMILY VERY FAR BACK.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE ORAL HISTORIES, AND THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT IN BLACK TRADITION, AS YOU KNOW.

THAT WAS A WAY TO PRESERVE THE FAMILY MEMORIES.

I WANTED TO HONOR ALL OF THAT.

THAT I WANTED TO BRING THE ANCESTORS ALIVE AND HAVE THEM BE FILLED OUT.

OFTENTIMES, IT WOULD JUST HAPPEN THAT ED WOULD BE TALKING THROUGH THE NAMES AND DATES, AND I WOULD BE HAVING A FEELING OF A SCENE.

IT WAS A JOY TO IMAGINE THEM.

>> YOU AND THE COUSINS WHO HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THEY ARE LIKE FAMILY NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE.

>> THEY ARE FAMILY.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YOU HAD SOME OF THOSE DIFFICULT AND HONEST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE.

WHAT HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS BEEN LIKE?

>> I AM SO GRATEFUL TO THEM.

I DON'T THINK MANY OF US GET TO BE IN CONVERSATIONS THAT ON HIS.

OF COURSE, THERE -- MOST OF THE FAMILY WERE REALLY HAPPY I WAS WRITING THE BOOK AND TRUSTED THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS.

THEN THERE WERE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO REALLY DIDN'T TRUST ME AS A WHITE WOMAN.

THAT IS IN THE BOOK AS WELL.

I'M GRAPPLING WITH THAT AND LOOKING AT THE HISTORY OF ALL THAT HAPPENS.

THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY PERSONAL, IT IS BECAUSE OF A LONG HISTORY OF WHITE EXPLOITATION OF BLACK STORIES WE PUT THE TENSE MOMENTS IN, THE EMBARRASSING MOMENTS, BUT ALSO THE LOVING MOMENTS AND MOMENTS WHEN WE KNEW WE REALLY FELT DEEPLY THAT WE ARE RELATED.

WE WERE MEANT TO BE WORKING ON THE BOOK TOGETHER.

YOU CAN'T WRITE AND TALK ABOUT RACE WITHOUT SOME PAIN.

WE CAN'T DO IT PERFECTLY.

BUT WE CAN TRY TO MAKE A SPACE TO DO IT HONESTLY.

>> THE GOOD, THE BACK, AND THE UGLY.

WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

MOST OF US CAN TRACE OUR LINEAGE.

WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY STORY SAYING ABOUT THIS COUNTRY?

>> I THINK WE ARE SO RELATED.

AS YOU SAID, MOST OF US HAVE MIXED ANCESTRY.

I DO THINK THE WHITE AMERICANS NEED TO EMBRACE THAT AND FACE THAT A LITTLE MORE.

I THINK MY COUSINS ON THE BLACK SIDE, THEY ALREADY KNEW THAT ABOUT THE ANCESTORS STIRS.

THEY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THE BOOK IS CALLED BENJAMIN BANNEKER AND ASKED.

11 GENERATIONS OF AN AMERICAN FAMILY.

YOU CAN READ AN EXCERPT ON HER WEBSITE.

BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> LAST FALL ARTIST AMANDA WILLIAMS AND A SMALL ARMY OF FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS PARTICIPATED IN AN ACTIVE FAITH AND RECLAMATION IN THE WATCHED PART NEIGHBORHOOD.

TOGETHER THEY PLANTED 100,000 RED TULIP BULBS IN THE FOOTPRINTS OF NEARLY 2 DOZEN BUILDINGS AND HOMES THAT ONCE STOOD THERE.

THE PROJECT TITLED REDEFINING REDLINING IS NOW IN FULL BLOOM AROUND THE INTERSECTION OF INTROVERTED AND PRAIRIE EVIDENCE.

IS MEANT TO PRESENT INTRINSIC VALUE AND BEAUTY IN BLACK COMMUNITIES.

HERE IS MORE FROM THE ARTIST.

>> JUST FROM A COLOR STAMP A, RED WILL ALWAYS BE ARRESTING.

IT IS TO COMPLEMENT GREEN.

YOU KNOW IN A FIELD OF GREEN THAT RED IS THE COLOR THAT WILL POP THE MOST.

JUST FROM THE AESTHETIC STANDPOINT, IT WILL ALWAYS WORK, AND THEN FROM A CONCEPTUAL STANDPOINT, IT WAS A MUST TO EMPHASIZE THE IDEA OF REDLINING AND GIVE PEOPLE OTHER IMAGES TO THINK ABOUT IN RELATIONSHIP TO THAT TERM.

SOMETIMES I WILL COME UPON A VANTAGE POINT I DIDN'T EXPECT .

I WILL PULL OVER AND STOP AND SOMEONE WILL SAY, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?

OR I LOVE THAT RED THAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE DISTANCE.

I HAD A WOMAN COME AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SAY, YOU KNOW, I WALKED OUT OF MY DOOR AND SAW THIS, ANY CHANGES MY WHOLE DAY.

IT IS A CROSS-SECTION OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.

THE CITY HAS SEVERAL PARKS THAT ARE INTERSPERSED.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT OWNERS ALONG THE INTERSECTION.

AND HASN'T BEEN IMPROVED UPON THUS FAR.

I DON'T REALLY SEE ANY RUSH ON ANY OF THEIR PARTS TO DEVELOP IT.

IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, DO PEOPLE FEEL EMPOWERED TO PUSH BACK IN A WAY THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE SOMETHING ?

WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMON FOR PEOPLE SAYING, FINALLY, IT EXPLAINS THE PROJECT.

IT WAS SO ON POINT.

NEIGHBORS ASSUMED IT WAS A DEVELOPMENT COMPANY.

WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?

IT'S JUST ME.

[ LAUGHTER ] THAT IS ALSO VERY INTERESTING TO THINK ABOUT , WHO PEOPLE THINK GOOD THINGS ARE FOR.

WHO IS GOOD DESIGN FOR.

WHO IS BEAUTY FOR?

THIS ANSWERS THAT AND ALSO BRINGS TO THE FOR THE PEOPLE STILL FEEL A DISCOMFORT .

BECAUSE THEY SPENT THEIR WHOLE LIVES BEING LIED TO OR DISAPPOINTED OR NOT INVESTED.

THIS IS ONE TINY STEP THAT THEN NEEDS THE PROOF OF COMING BACK AND COMING BACK.

THEN WE CAN START THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE THESE CONDITIONS.

>> AMANDA WILLIAMS ALSO DEVELOPED A ROBUST SET OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS PROJECT .

IT IS ALL AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD ON THE PROJECT WEBSITE.

YOU CAN FIND MORE ON THAT ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT WT TW.COM/NEWS FOR THE LATEST FROM WT TW NEWS.

IF YOU'RE WATCHING AS ON FRIDAY NIGHT, YOU CAN ALSO CATCH BLACK VOICES AND LATINO VOICES ON SATURDAYS BEGINNING AT SIX A COPY OF.

JOIN ME NEXT WEEK AT 5:30 PM AND 10:00 ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT BLACK VOICES, BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.