Shorefront Legacy Center

Name: Shorefront Legacy Center
Address: 2214 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL, 60201, US
Telephone: +18478647467

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Shorefront Legacy Center

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Shorefront collects, preserves and educates people on Black history on Chicago's suburban North Shore

Historical organization, local history, exhibits, lectures, youth programming, publications, archives

10/09/2026

Dino founded the Shorefront Legacy Center in 1995. In this video, he shares what sparked the development of Shorefront and the gap existing around the vibrant Black history. When told that there wasn’t sufficient documentation of Black history on Chicago’s North Shore, Dino challenged that narrative. He set out to create a lasting resource dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the stories of Black individuals and communities across the North Suburban Shore. That vision became Shorefront Legacy Center.

Dino wanted to build something that could grow beyond its initial foundation into a lasting resource for the community. What began as a working group called “Through the Eyes of Us” eventually developed into a full-fledged community archive. The group also introduced the Shorefront Journal, a quarterly publication documenting local Black history, Shorefront’s work, and contributions from the broader community.

Thank you, Dino, for recognizing the need for a space like Shorefront Legacy Center and for doing the diligent work to bring that vision to life.

10/01/2026

📣Please join us THIS SATURDAY from 10:30am-1:30pm at Shorefront Legacy Center/Lula B. Sherman Church) 2214 Ridge Avenue for a sneak peek of our exciting mapping project! This project, titled “Mapping Black Evanston” has been documenting sites important to the lives of Black Evanstonians and ensuring their stories are valued and heard.

Join us to learn more about the project, watch oral histories, and share your own. We will have a delicious lunch made by Soul & Smoke!

Enjoy this bit of personal history from Donna Johnson!

09/29/2026

Did you hear a familiar voice on NPR’s Weekend Edition?

On September 19, Shorefront Executive Director Laurice Bell joined NPR National Desk Correspondent Adrian Florido to talk about Shorefront’s work, the importance of documenting community history, and the ways the past continues to shape our lives today.

In just three minutes, their conversation moves from something as personal as a love letter to the careful preservation of NAACP meeting minutes, each a part of the larger story of Black life on Chicago’s North Shore.

If you haven’t heard the piece yet, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to liste at the link in our bio.

We’re grateful to NPR and Adrian Florido for shining a light on the work of community archives, and we encourage you to support the public media that makes storytelling like this possible.

And thank you for supporting Shorefront Legacy Center.

🎧 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/19/nx-s1-5968805/how-shorefront-legacy-center-preserves-black-history-from-a-church-basement-in-evanston

09/28/2026

In this story, beloved community member Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste reflects on joining the Evanston Vanguard R***e Drill Team, led by community leader Bo Price.

Join us THIS SATURDAY for a sneak peek of Mapping Black Evanston, where we’ll share more about the project and unveil our interactive map.

The stories featured in our mapping project span generations and experiences, offering a glimpse into important sites around Evanston through a Black lens. Come name the spaces that meant something to you!

Stay tuned throughout the week for more glimpses into the history of Black Evanston, as told by community members themselves.

WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 10:30am-1:30pm

WHERE: 2214 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL - Shorefront Legacy Center / Lula B Sherman United Methodist Church

Interview conducted by Orion Sledge-Ricks.

09/21/2026

Last weekend, the Evanston Folk Festival brought a beautiful, buzzing energy to the lakefront at Dawes Park during its third annual celebration.

Shorefront was delighted to join the weekends festivities. Our booth featured a beautiful, illustrated coloring-in banner portraying all of the Black artists who performed at this year’s festival. This wonderful banner was created by the talented Andrew Walker Andrew Walker , who also designed the four black pioneers of folk images to color-in. He also made Shorefront’s 2024 coloring book, Colorful Legacies: Celebrating Evanston’s Black Historical Figures. The book shares quick, accessible histories of important local figures alongside Andrew’s vibrant illustrations. Take a look at his work and at the colorful additions made by everyone who visited our booth!

As part of Chicago Public Media’s “Tent Talks,” our executive director, Laurice Bell, spoke with the talented singer-songwriter Anjimile, who shared his brilliance and artistry with festival attendees. In addition to this “Tent Talk” Bell was also honored to introduce Valerie June, the Tennessee-born singer and songwriter who brought her own unique magic to the festival.

09/15/2026

📣Join us on Saturday, October 3rd from 10:30am to 1:30pm for a first look at: “Mapping Black Evanston”

Throughout this year-long partnership between Shorefront and Northwestern, we have been documenting physical spaces that hold meaning in the lives of Black Evanstonians. By gathering stories about important sites, this project helps ensure that the everyday histories and experiences of Black residents are recognized, valued, and carried forward for generations to come.

Join us to learn more about the project, hear clips from oral histories collected throughout the year, and share your own stories and memories. You’ll also have a chance to preview our interactive map and explore the stories that bring these places to life.

RSVP: https://bit.ly/mappingblackevanston?r=qr

🥪Lunch will be included!

🗓️WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 10:30am-1:30pm
�📍WHERE: 2214 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL - Shorefront Legacy Center / Lula B Sherman United Methodist Church

Got questions? Email [email protected]

09/11/2026

Meet Kenneth Salter!

This summer, Kenneth has worked as a Research Intern at Shorefront Legacy Center. Kenneth is a 5th-year PhD candidate in the History Department at Northwestern, and brought a lot of knowledge to the archives.

Kenneth studies political voices and was excited to delve into the rich Black political history of Evanston. He was especially enthusiastic about exploring the Edwin B. Jourdain Papers housed here at Shorefront. Jourdain left a rich legacy in Evanston and, in 1932, became the first Black Alderman in the city.

We have gained so much from Kenneth’s presence and will miss him this fall as he returns his focus to his dissertation. We are grateful to the Chabraja Center for Historical Studies for funding this internship. Kenneth is the best, and we look forward to seeing all that he does!

09/09/2026

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?

Shorefront is excited to announce that we’re giving away 2 two-day passes to THIS WEEKEND’S Evanston Folk Festival!

To enter the giveaway, follow Evanston Folk Fest and Shorefront and comment your festival buddy!

This is a very special festival featuring so many talented artists- we’re sure you won’t be disappointed! And while you’re there, make sure to come visit Shorefront at our table!

Good luck, and we hope to see you at the festival!

09/03/2026

Can you join us next Tuesday, September 8th, between 11:30 and 1:30pm at the corner of Jackson and Emerson? If JUST FOUR people come out, we can get this done in no time! This community painting day is the last step in completing Cecilia’s Garden, our Evanston neighborhood beautification project.

Shorefront developed this project in an attempt to revitalize the community and offer a tangible reminder of the history which once lived on this lot. By planting flowers here, neighbors reclaim the block with care, memory, and beauty.

While the garden beds are in action, we still need to paint them. We will have paint, paint brushes, and ice cold drinks! Join for ten minutes, 30 minutes, or stay the whole time! Comment below if you are able to come and support as we bring this project to the finish line!

Address

2214 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL
60201

Opening Hours

9am - 2pm

Telephone

+18478647467

Website

http://www.shorefrontlegacy.org/, http://instagram.com/shorefrontlegacy, https://bit.ly/mappingblackevanston?r=qr, https

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