An Evening With The HistoryMakers: Chicago Stories is a unique program, drawing from over 400 interviews with African Americans across the city of Chicago, and taking the audience down a path both of remembrance and of celebration of the rich history and legacy of Chicago's African American community. Though violence and dysfunction have plagued the city in recent years, An Evening With The HistoryMakers: Chicago Stories reminds viewers why Chicago was a destination for hundreds of thousands African Americans seeking a better life throughout the 20th century. Special guest presenters, including former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Hollywood casting director Reuben Cannon, Blues guitarist Wayne Baker Brooks, former Soft Sheen Products President Terri Gardner, Baldwin Richardson Foods CEO Eric Johnson, Central City Productions President Don Jackson, Ebony Media CEO Linda Johnson Rice, former Ebony Fashion Fair model and commentator Audrey Smaltz, former Diners Club North America President Brenda Gaines, and former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett shared memories of the dance halls, housing projects, and theaters that dotted Bronzeville; the birth of gospel music, and the unique blends of blues, jazz, and R&B that originated in Chicago; the outpouring of creative expression during the Black Arts Movement; and the monumental successes of Chicago institutions like Soul Train, Ebony and Jet Magazines, Ultra Wave and Soft Sheen, and the Bud Biliken Parade. Through live musical performances from Terisa Griffin & Band, clips from interviews in The HistoryMakers Collection, and commentary from special guests and hosts Regina Taylor and Harry Lennix, An Evening With The HistoryMakers not only reminds Chicago of its storied past, but challenges viewers to help the city regain its bright future.
