AUBURN GRESHAM — A documentary about Auburn Gresham will show the neighborhood's vibrant past.
The free event, which includes refreshments, runs from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Salaam restaurant, 700 W. 79th St., and is sponsored by the Auburn Gresham office of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago and Landmarks Illinois. The documentary will be shown at 6:45 p.m. followed by a tour of the two-story restaurant.
"A lot of people don't know about Auburn Gresham's history when [40 years ago] it was mainly a white community. So much has changed over the years and now Auburn Gresham is seen as a bad place to live and that's not true," said Janece Simmons, director of the housing services in Auburn Gresham. "The documentary will show the resurrection of Auburn Gresham through the eyes of community stakeholders."
A slideshow and interviews with local residents and elected officials make up the 18-minute documentary, Simmons said.
Among those featured in the documentary are Auburn Gresham resident state Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago); Ald. Latasha Thomas (17th), whose ward includes Salaam; Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham; block club presidents; and Carlos Nelson, executive director of the nonprofit Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
To RSVP, call 773-488-2004.
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