Chicago loves to celebrate its Black cultural icons — the musicians, actors, writers, and visionaries who shaped the city’s identity. But Chicago has never been consistent about protecting the neighborhoods that produce them. That tension sits at the center of Jackie Taylor’s story and the evolution of the Black Ensemble Theater. And it raises a question many people don’t ask out loud: Why did one of the most important Black cultural institutions in Chicago end up on the North Side instead of...

Historical Context Chicago's Black communities have a long history of creating value that was later extracted or controlled by outside interests. During the 20th century, Black Chicagoans were largely confined to a narrow "Black Belt" through racially restrictive covenants, violence, discriminatory lending, and real estate practices. Neighborhoods such as Bronzeville became centers of Black culture, business, music, journalism, and political life despite severe segregation. Yet many...

Chicago loves to celebrate its Black cultural icons — the musicians, actors, writers, and visionaries who shaped the city’s identity. But Chicago has never been consistent about protecting the neighborhoods that produce them. That tension sits at the center of Jackie Taylor’s story and the evolution of the Black Ensemble Theater. And it raises a question many people don’t ask out loud: Why did one of the most important Black cultural institutions in Chicago end up on the North Side instead of...