North Lawndale African American Heritage Quilting Project

Strengthening the Social Fabric of Our Community

Lead Organizations
Art Forward Better Boys Foundation Historic K-Town Lawndale Historic and Cultural Society Urban Art Retreat

Dear Friend of North Lawndale: Help Us Make A Community Quilt: No Experience Needed. We are writing to invite you to participate in the North Lawndale African American Heritage Quilting Project. The North Lawndale African American Heritage Quilting Project will engage North Lawndale residents in the research of the history and culture of African American residents and express their findings in a community quilt. Subject matter can include family trees, family traditions, poems, stories, famous quotes, neighborhood traditions, church or organization traditions, famous people from North Lawndale, North Lawndale icons, the relationship between African American and Jewish experiences in North Lawndale; the Civil Rights Movement; the African influence in Mexico; the Migration of African Americans from the South, etc. Whether or not you have experience with quilting, or regardless of how long you have lived or worked in North Lawndale, you are welcome to participate. Your participation level is up to you. You may donate a patch, or assist in the construction of at least one community quilt. The number of quilts we produce is dependent on the number of people we get to participate in the project. Finish products will be displayed during Black History Month 2012 and donated to the community. Please complete the attached response form to get started. Help Us Collect North Lawndale Stories We are also asking for your help in capturing the African American heritage of North Lawndale. Please suggest links to websites featuring African Americans from North Lawndale, videos, articles, pictures, poems, oral histories, family traditions, recipes, etc. Feel free to submit your own material by e-mailing me at valeriefleonard@msn.com. Not only will you help preserve history, but your stories can inspire the development of quilts depicting the African American culture in North Lawndale. We will post links and other content on the blog for the North Lawndale African American Heritage Quilting Project athttp://northlawndalequilting.blogspot.com/ (Please note that this is a work in progress and content will be added as the project unfolds.) We have also attached a form for you to use if you are interested in sharing your own experiences. Your contribution will make a positive impact in helping us to strengthen the social fabric of our community. For further information about the project and how you may get involved, call Valerie F. Leonard at 773-521-3137. Thanks in advance! Sincerely

Project Planning Committee

Billy Brooks Jacquelyn Gipson Valerie F. Leonard Dianna Long Blanche Suggs Lisa Wilcoxen Ife Williams Martell Williams

Valerie F. Leonard Project Manager

The North Lawndale African American Heritage Quilting Project Response Form
Name_________________________________________________________________________________________ Title/Organization__________________________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP______________________________________________________________________________ E-Mail Address_____________________________________________________________________________ Website_____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________________________________________________
How did you learn about the project?________________________________________________________

Yes! We/I will participate in the African American Heritage Quilting Project as follows. _____Conduct a quilting workshop and demonstration _____ Facilitate the construction of a quilt _____Help others pull pieces together and finish the quilt _____Participate in the Urban Retreat Project _____Participate in the construction of an Underground Railroad Quilt _____Sponsor the creation of a quilt on behalf of an organization _____Work with a group of people from around the community to construct a quilt _____ Attend a workshop in which I make a square and donate it to the project to be included in the community quilt.
Please return the Response Form to: The North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society c/o Neighborhood Housing Services 3555 W. Ogden Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60623 Attn: Blanche Suggs (773) 522-4637 If you have any questions, contact Valerie F. Leonard at valeriefleonard@msn.com or 773-521-3137. Partners: Art Forward, Better Boys Foundation (BBF), Historic K-Town, North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society, Urban Art Retreat www.northlawndalequilting.blogspot.com

The North Lawndale African American Heritage Quilting Project In-Kind Donation Response Form
Name_________________________________________________________________________________________ Title/Organization__________________________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP______________________________________________________________________________ E-Mail Address_____________________________________________________________________________ Website_____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________________________________________________
How did you learn about the project?________________________________________________________

Yes! We/I will donate the following supplies and materials to the African American Heritage Quilting Project. (Circle as many as apply)
Fabric (cotton is preferred) Muslin Iron Quilting Patterns Rotary Cutter Rotary Rulers Threads (cotton is preferred) Quilting Needles Pins Pin Cushions Chalk Marking Pencil Tracing Paper Yarn Crayons Bias Tape Batting Sewing Machine (or use of one) Ironing Board (or use of one) Transfer Paper Rotary Mat Scissors Seam Ripper Machine Needles Thimbles Tape Measures Tracing Wheel Plastic Bins Fabric Paint Embroidery Hoops Quilting Hoops

Please send completed Response Form and drop off donations at: The North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society c/o Neighborhood Housing Services 3555 W. Ogden Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60623 Attn: Blanche Suggs (773) 522-4637 If you have any questions, contact Valerie F. Leonard at valeriefleonard@msn.com or 773-521-3137. Partners: Art Forward, Better Boys Foundation (BBF), Historic K-Town, North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society, Urban Art Retreat www.northlawndalequilting.blogspot.com

The North Lawndale African American Heritage Quilting Project Help Us Tell the Story
We thank you for your interest and assistance in preserving the African American heritage of North Lawndale. We would like to extend to you an opportunity to share history that is near And dear to your heart. As your think about sharing your experiences in North Lawndale, we'd like to ask a few questions. Feel free to answer as many as you'd like on a separate piece of paper. Feel free to include photographs or any other documentation that you think would help to tell the story. 1. What are your strongest memories of North Lawndale? 2. What are some of your family traditions? 3. What activities do you remember from your block club? 4. What did you like about the parties? 5. Are there people who stand out in your mind that should be honored? If so, who? (they don't need to be famous) 6. When we mention North Lawndale, what images do you see (don't hold back) 7. Are you willing to share pictures, poems, websites, or anything that we can post onto the blog? Other examples include bios, obituaries, proclamations, program booklets, etc. Check out http://northlawndalequilting.blogspot.com and provide feedback as to what you would add or improve. Please return the Response Form and materials to: The North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society c/o Neighborhood Housing Services 3555 W. Ogden Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60623 Attn: Blanche Suggs (773) 522-4637 If you have any questions, contact Valerie F. Leonard at valeriefleonard@msn.com or 773-521-3137.

Partners: Art Forward, Better Boys Foundation (BBF), Historic K-Town, North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society, Urban Art Retreat www.northlawndalequilting.blogspot.com