|
contents | blues | |||||||||||||
| Bronzeville: an African-American Heritage Tourism Destination A sneak preview of the Bronzeville Visitor Information Center (BVIC) will allow a host of partners and private developers to celebrate a new Black History Month milestone at 11AM on February 20th. Officially, the Center will be “visitor ready” next month and will not be open to the public until then. The BVIC is located on the southeast corner at 35th and Martin L. King Drive in the Supreme/Liberty Life Building, a landmark building that the community was able to restore. It was home to the Liberty Life Insurance Company, the first Black Insurance Company north of the Mason/Dixon Line. The Center is located on two floors of the building and features a “community information hub” & gift shop on the first floor. An exhibit gallery, community technology center and digital archive are located on the second floor. In addition, it will house administrative offices and a community planning studio. This sneak preview on February 20th kicks off a year-long calendar of activities celebrating the opening of the Center. The community’s grand opening celebration is scheduled for March 15th where a host of community supporters and stakeholders are expected to attend. It has been two decades since the many neighborhoods that comprise this 3 1/2 mile area, known historically as Chicago’s “Black Belt, ” came together behind a campaign called “Restoring Bronzeville.” The campaign featured a comprehensive redevelopment plan to preserve the cultural heritage environment that began in the early 1890’s. These communities created original art forms like Gospel music, the electric blues, and the Chicago Jazz sound. The area also developed America’s most renowned Black business pioneers and bought African American political leadership to the world stage. Through a $100, 000 Tourism Attraction Grant from the State of Illinois, the Black Metropolis Convention & Tourism Council (BMC&TC) was able to match funds through the African American real estate developer & owner to enable the design and build out of the Center. Today, BMC&TC, a community-based organization, is investing in another economic development strategy for the area - African American Heritage Tourism. According to Travel Institute of America, it is the fastest growing segment among leisure travelers. Additionally, African American heritage travelers spend more and stay longer in the markets they visit. A survey originated by the Chicago Office of Tourism with international travelers showed that among their top items of interest while visiting was the authentic experience of blues, jazz and gospel. Harold L. Lucas, BMC&TC’s President & CEO concluded, “It has taken us twenty years of sustained civic engagement to preserve the community’s rich history, develop the infrastructure and reenergize the entrepreneurial spirit within the community.” “You have to have the attractions, the transportation and the hospitality in place to host people in a manner that is befitting a “world class city” like Chicago. We have the legacy of A. Phillip Randolph and the Pullman Porters to uphold and maintain. They were known internationally as the Ambassadors of Service, ” adds Lucas. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |