The Evolution of the Village exhibit begins in Mother Africa, and combines the teachings of history, stewardship of the land, the understanding that we came from a race of princes and warriors and that we are born survivors. It is as an educational opportunity to teach African American children to learn and appreciate their history providing countless opportunities for positive peer interaction, and discussion.
Travel back through time,
Going Back, over 100 years to the Bottoms, the low end of the plantation. There’s the cabin that sleeps 8-10 slaves. See the mats stacked up in the corner? Look at the pots and pans, the knicknacks, castoffs from the big house. Behind the cabin is the mounds of graves with the rough hewn markers. Over to the side is the well where the boys are drawing water for the entire plantation. The blacksmith is hard at work on his anvil, the tiny children working at their chores with little time to play. See the hand made wooden toys carved in the fading moonlight? Check the young cotton plants too soon to really identify. There’s a young girl tending to the chickens and geese. See the old slaves sitting on the porch in the rocker that they salvaged ands listen to the speakers and the preachers over in the Gathering Place. Off in the distance, through the pillars is the big house. They have real beds, not mats, see it? Desks, chairs, candles made by those children in the bottoms, and a little corn likker to ease the pain
Go West and compare the livestyle of the Hispanic families during this same time period and then follow the migration by both to the North, land of plenty. To work in the factories, the steel mills, educate their children in quality schools, to live free and equal!
Evolution of the Village, in whole or in part, is available year round for display at your Organization, School, or Event. It features original art from local artists and historical artifacts, memorabilia and living statues revisiting our history from the late 1800's to the present.
It is currently housed at Bright Elementary School on Chicago's Southeast side.
Most of the God's Gang library materials were lost when the pipes froze shortly before the move from the Robert Taylor buildings. If you would like to donate materials, please contact us to arrange a pick-up.