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A new exhibit titled "Local Legends: African American Steelworkers of the Calumet Region" will be showcased at three Chicago public library branches—Avalon, Vodak-East Side, and Woodson Regional—from May 1 to August 31, 2025. This display will honor the 2025 theme of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which centers on "African Americans and Labor."
The exhibit sheds light on the African American experience in the steel industry, particularly in the Southeast Side neighborhoods of South Chicago, South Deering, the East Side, and Hegewisch, which were once hubs for steel production in the region. Wisconsin Steel, which initiated operations in 1875, marked the beginning of a thriving steel industry in these neighborhoods.
As part of the Great Migration, many African Americans relocated to Chicago in search of employment and refuge from Southern racism. However, in Chicago's steel mills, they encountered prejudice and were often allocated the riskiest jobs. Their specific grievances were often overlooked in early labor strikes. A pivotal change occurred during World War II with Executive Order 8802, which prohibited discrimination in defense industries and established the Fair Employment Practice Committee. This order laid a foundation for subsequent civil rights advancements.
Throughout the 1950s, African American steelworkers began to gain more attention through strikes and activism. Although some were associated with the Communist Party, many distanced themselves during the Red Scare, leading to union purges. In the 1960s, a significant number of African Americans assumed leadership roles in unions, despite having been sidelined for long.
Black steelworkers, along with European and Mexican immigrants, advocated for improved conditions and equitable treatment. Nevertheless, substantial progress was slow, and the closing of Wisconsin Steel in 1980 led to severe economic setbacks.
Presently, the Southeast Side community diligently addresses issues such as pollution and health dangers left by the mills. They are actively working toward environmental justice and seeking economic regeneration.
The public is invited to view "Local Legends: African American Steelworkers of the Calumet Region" at the three library branches mentioned.
