Tag: bronzeville

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12.23.21 | Arts & Culture

Best Winter Day Trips Close to Chicago

While Chicago brings a variety of enjoyable activities to partake in during the winter, sometimes a break from all the bustle and noise of the city is welcome. For our fellow Bronzeville residents who might need a getaway this winter, here are the best day trips you can take to brighten your perspective with a change in scenery:  

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Only a 1-½ hour drive away sits the quaint city of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The beloved destination has been a top destination for Chicago residents for generations and offers a variety of fun-filled activities and stops for all ages. While the summer months are Geneva’s most popular tourist times, winter brings a much tamer atmosphere. 

For lovers of the outdoors, Geneva’s Lake Shore trail is the perfect opportunity to enjoy spectacular views in the brisk air. Once February arrives, the famous lake becomes filled with extraordinary ice sculptures, bonfires on the beach and more. While it is the coldest season, don’t miss your chance to experience the incredibly warm community.  

Lake Geneva’s impressive ice sculptures

Michigan City, Indiana

An adorable city located just off of Lake Michigan’s shores, Michigan City should be high on everyone’s list to visit this winter. The town is only one hour away from Chicago and is surrounded by one of America’s most stunning national wonders, the Indiana Dunes State and National Parks. While winter isn’t typically the time of year many choose to visit the lakeside landscape, witnessing the sand-swept mounds covered in layers of soft snow is sure to delight all visitors.  

While many enjoy a stroll on one of the many trails found in the park, the town offers guests a variety of other ventures, including shopping at the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, dazzling architecture at Barker Mansion and an array of wineries and breweries. 

Take a Joyride up Lake Shore Drive 

Sometimes the best day trip is just hopping in the car and taking a drive to enjoy your surroundings, which is exactly what Lake Shore Drive delivers. Arguably the prettiest extended urban parkway in the nation, the 18-mile expressway runs from Ardmore Street on its north end to 71st Street on its south end, and lucky for Bronzeville residents, the best place to start the journey is from the south.  

The ride is filled with recognizable Chicago landmarks that include the Museum of Science and Industry, Soldier Field, Navy Pier and Lincoln Park alongside spectacular views of Lake Michigan. However, once you reach the end of the trip, don’t be afraid to stop there. Exiting on N Sheffield Road will take you through several alluring suburbs filled with even more attractions and impressive architecture. 

Whether you’re taking a thrilling trip to a neighboring state or simply enjoying a joyride down a historic street, we hope this inspires you to find your new favorite winter getaway from the city! 

The stunning view of Lake Michigan from the Indiana Dunes near Michigan City, Indiana
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12.21.21 | Arts & Culture

A Brief History of The Chicago Bee

The promotion of Bronzeville’s rich history is something we continuously advocate for and give voice to at Sage Collective. That’s why today, we’re spreading the word about The Chicago Bee, a local paper that dominated the press for decades while distinguishing itself by its promotion of Black history.

History

The Chicago Bee, often referred to as Chicago Sunday Bee, was founded by Anthony Overton in 1925. Overton was a successful banker and manufacturer, and the first African American to lead a major conglomerate (Overton Hygienic Company, which was a cosmetics business). After its founding, the Bee moved into the now-famous Art Deco building located at 3647-55 S. State St., which is now on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a Chicago Landmark. 

The Bee’s staff included many esteemed members of Chicago’s community of writers and journalists at the time. Chandler Owen, a talented writer, became editor of the Bee after moving to Chicago in the 1920s and worked with other savvy editors including Ida B. Wells and Olive Diggs. During the World War II years, when men were in active military duty, the majority of the writing staff were women, which allowed them unprecedented autonomy and opportunity for advancement. 

The Bee covered a wide range of issues of the day. It was the first newspaper to support the efforts of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the nation’s first all-Black labor union created during conflicts at The Pullman Company. It also supported and covered the Black women’s club movement, and gained distinction from other newspapers in the Chicago press in their publicity of Black history and literature.  

Following Overton’s passing in 1946, the Bee was briefly run by his two sons but ceased operation in 1947. Even though very little of the historic newspaper has survived today, it is still recognized as one of the most influential and acclaimed papers of the 20th century. 

Through Sage Collective’s vision, we are proud to contribute to the legacy of African American culture, community and success that is, and always has been, the heart and soul of Bronzeville.

The Chicago Bee front page from May 4, 1941
The Chicago Bee Building
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12.16.21 | News

Chicago’s Adopt-A-Landmark Grant Makes Way for Repairs at Historic Bronzeville Church

In recent months, the city of Chicago has shown a growing interest in developing affordable housing and restoring historical structures across the city, and with the Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund, they’re doing just that in Bronzeville. Located only a few blocks from our King Drive Properties, Bronzeville’s Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, found at 4501 S. Vincennes Avenue is one of the 12  landmarks chosen by the city to receive the grant. 

For more than 100 years, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church has served its membership in the heart of Bronzeville. The beloved church is said to have been one of the birthplaces of gospel music and has hosted a number of distinguished guests over the years, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Olympian and Congressman Ralph Metcalfe, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, as well as renowned singers Dinah Washington and Mahalia Jackson. 

Thanks to unprecedented federal support from the Biden Administration, the Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund, which is supporting Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church’s renovation with a $900,000 grant,  will be awarding several Chicago landmarks with millions of dollars annually for essential renovation and preservation upgrades. Once funds approved by the City Council, the money will be awarded to these landmark buildings to cover extensive interior and exterior restoration and improvements,

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church’s elaborate, historic interior

For the nearly 120-year-old church, this means that its roof and damaged  stained glass windows, that have endured harsh weather for decades, can finally be restored to their original beauty. As with other churches, Ebenezer’s membership has dwindled since the beginning of the pandemic almost two years ago. The church hopes that with the new renovations, more community members will be incentivized to visit the historic site and participate in their services. 

An exciting undertaking in the Bronzeville neighborhood, the restoration is not only one of the many developments that are part of Bronzeville’s renaissance, but proves that the city is showing more interest in improving the quality of life in communities like ours. To learn more about other Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund projects happening throughout the city, visit their website here. 

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church’s exterior
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12.02.21 | News

Exploring Bronzeville: The Little Black Pearl’s New C47 Work and Experiment Lounge

Bronzeville is a community whose residents are known to appreciate and demonstrate their love for their community. Sage Collective has been a part of Bronzeville since 1978, and we certainly aren’t the only organization that shares a deep respect for the historic persons and events that lived and transpired there.  Little Black Pearl, a thriving nonprofit found near Kenwood, is just one of the many other organizations actively engaged in bringing inspired change to the people of Bronzeville and its surrounding areas. 

The Little Black Pearl is popularly known as a ground-breaking educational program that provides youth with a safe environment within which to learn new skills, explore various programming and be surrounded by positive leaders and role models. The organization has been at the forefront of change on Chicago’s South Side for nearly 30 years. 

With this track record now established, Little Black Pearl is using its experience,  knowledge and appreciation for its community, to expand its programming initiatives to an older audience. Little Black Pearl’s founder Monica Haslap led the organization in its launch of  C47 Work and Experiment Lounge in November 2021. 

The lounge, which is found at 1060 East 47th Street, invites adults into a collaborative space to inspire creativity and explore new passions. Built with innovation in mind, this new environment includes fully operational workshops that range from culinary classes, to art projects and office spaces where anyone looking to escape the hardships of the past two years will gladly find tranquility.

Members who join the C47 Work and Experiment Lounge will be exposed to numerous creative visionaries and experts in music, technology, fashion and finance. For adults interested in becoming a member, memberships range from $50-$200 per month, and all offer a variety of different opportunities within the lounge. 

With hopes of serving longtime members of the community as a safe, creative space where unconventional ideas can thrive, C47 Work and Experiment Lounge embodies the values that Little Black Pearl has demonstrated for decades. And, like Sage Collective, the organization will likely continue leading change in the community for decades to come.

C47 Work and Experiment Lounge Interior, Photo Courtesy of Armand Morris
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11.11.21 | Arts & Culture

A Brief History of The South Side Community Arts Center

Widely recognized for its vibrant arts and music scenes, the Bronzeville neighborhood takes pride in its rich past. Throughout history, various venues around the neighborhood have been essential for Black artists across the community. One of Chicago’s Historic Landmarks, The South Side Community Arts Center, is one of those precious places that has had a lasting impact. 

Making History

Determined to overcome the seemingly never-ending hardships brought by the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt introduced the New Deal and its Work Progress Administration (WPA) to the country. Sponsored by the WPA, The Federal Arts Project (FAP) acted as a subsidiary program to the larger workforce development effort by expanding community art centers across the country. 

In 1938, FAP agents visited Chicago in hopes of creating an arts center focused on exhibiting the work of African American artists. Progress on the center’s development advanced once South Side businessman Golden B. Darby emerged as a champion for the project. With his insistence that the center reside on Chicago’s South Side, Darby organized the Community Arts Center Committee to advocate for the center’s location. Members of the committee included local leaders and artists from the Arts and Craft Guild, the lone group for African American artists in the community, including Margaret Burroughs, Eldzier Cortor, Bernard Goss, Charles White, William Carter, Joseph Kersey and Archibald Motley, Jr. 

An exhibition at South Side Community Arts Center, Courtesy of Tony Smith
An exhibition at South Side Community Arts Center, Courtesy of Tony Smith

After extensive fundraising through various lavish events, including Margaret Burroughs’ famous “Mile of Dimes” and considerable philanthropy from the Bronzeville community, a property was finally secured at 3831 S Michigan Ave. Originally serving as a residence, the grand brownstone building was nearly 50 years old and in need of considerable renovations and rehabilitation. 

After years of remodeling under the careful direction of Bauhaus designers Hin Bredendieck and Nathan Lerner, the restored structure became the South Side Community Arts Center (SSCAC) and featured classrooms, performance and lecture halls and a marvelous gallery. The grand opening showcased an exhibition of the work of numerous local African American artists’ including Charles White, Eldzier Cortor and Archibald Motley Jr, — finally allowing space for artists in the community to thrive.

Following its inauguration, the SSCAC was host to numerous celebrity guests, including First Lady Elenor Roosevelt, who visited the SSCAC in May 1941 to deliver its dedication speech. The address received widespread media attention and was broadcast nationwide via CBS Radio. Less than a year later, the United States entered World War II, and funding for the FAP was significantly reduced. 

A Community Hub

Throughout The SSCAC’s history, a rich, diverse range of art has graced its famous walls. In 1944, accomplished artist Rex Goreleigh became the SSCAC’s administrative director. Goreleigh furthered the center’s programming, introducing workshops on drawing, painting, sculpture, performing arts, photography and more to the community. Famous writers, including Gwendolyn Brooks, became associated with the SSCAC’s writing center, and legendary musicians like Nat King Cole and his Trio performed there often. 

A classroom inside of The South Side Community Arts Center, Courtesy of Eric Allix Rogers
A classroom inside of The South Side Community Arts Center, Courtesy of Eric Allix Rogers

More than 80 years after the center’s founding, The SSCAC stands proud in the Bronzeville neighborhood. After countless renowned exhibitions from distinguished artists, the SSCAC continues to thrive, and has been named a National Treasure and added to the National Register of Historic Places. 

Today, The SSCAC remains the only arts center opened by the WPA centered on African American art that is still open in its original building. Permanent collections from the center’s founding artists reside alongside new artwork from emerging artists. A staple of the Bronzeville community, The SSCAC serves as an inspiration for artists and communities across the nation,  and remains vital and relevant as a very special place where connections blossom and relationships prosper. 

You can visit The South Side Community Arts Center Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. However, donations are strongly encouraged to support the center’s future. You can also visit their website here to discover their local events, exhibitions and collections. 

Bronzeville’s South Side Community Arts Center
Bronzeville’s South Side Community Arts Center
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10.26.21 | Arts & Culture

Revolutionizing Bronzeville and the Construction World: A Conversation with Shevaz Freeman

As renovations continue at our 4108 and 4112 S King Drive properties located in the heart of Bronzeville, we sat down with the owner of Urban Intention Design and Build and general contractor for our project, Shevaz Freeman, to discuss her experiences in the world of construction and the progress of the projects. 

Urban Intention Design and Build is a Black woman-owned-and-operated company, which is rare in the general contractor domain. Tell us about your experience in the industry, and what has led you to where you are today. 

Running my own contracting company, Urban Intention Design and Build, as an African American woman absolutely comes with its struggles, but every experience I’ve had — good and bad — has led me to where I am today. Simple things like respect and recognition can be difficult to attain at times, and because of my gender, I have to maneuver within the environment with a whole different perspective. However, because of my significant experience in the field, I’ve discovered how best to navigate challenges I may encounter to my advantage. 

I’ve picked up numerous techniques and approaches that give me a leg up because I feel like I’ve had to work harder than a lot of other people in my field to get where I am. I’ve trained myself to have heightened attention to detail. Sometimes, contractors don’t have the “big picture” in mind and don’t fully pay attention to the endless little things happening on a project. Because I’ve been doing this for over ten years, I find it extremely easy to fully envision the outcome of every project from day one, which is a significant skill in contracting.

What does your role as General Contractor for Sage Collective Properties’ King Drive project involve? 

As the General Contractor for the King Drive projects, it’s my job to oversee and run almost everything. I am responsible for managing budgets, directing on-site subcontractors and conducting meetings with the Sage Collective Properties’ team. However, at the end of the day, my most important job is to make sure that the client gets what they envisioned at the beginning of the process. 

Who are the others who are involved in the renovation of these King Drive buildings, and how does your role fit in? How do you view the nature and value of the relationships you have been able to build with other professionals on this job?

Throughout the renovation, numerous people will walk in and out of the properties. Two people I’ve worked very closely with over the past few months are the Owner’s Rep and experienced General Contractor, Ernest Brown, and the Architect, Gregory Williams. Mr. Brown has provided me with incredible guidance and oversight throughout the project, and his rich expertise in the field has been remarkably beneficial and essential to our process. 

Overall, I’ve unquestionably developed relationships on this job that I believe will continue to provide immense value in the future. It’s so important in jobs like this that each party involved feels like they are valued as part of a larger team, and that is a feeling that is certainly present here. No matter who I am talking to daily, everyone understands that their role is essential for the project’s success.

Explain to us how you see Sage Collective’s vision of having “vibrant, high-quality, affordable living for older adults” come to life in the residences you are currently helping them rehab?

I originally went to school for interior design, so because of that training and the fact that I’m such a visual person, I’ve been able to envision Sage Collective’s concept since the project’s very early stages. As soon as I was introduced to the vision for “vibrant, high-quality, affordable living” and walked through the properties, there was no question that it was achievable, and day by day, I’m witness to its progress. 

Since we strive to make sure that every element is constructed with thought and care, the process behind bringing the vision to life is very meticulous. We discuss everything from the sizing of doors to the proportion of the showers to the type of lighting assembled in each room to make sure we specifically address the needs of older adults. All details throughout the process are constantly brought into question to ensure perfection. 

Do you think that there is enough emphasis by the government or social service organizations on meeting the need for affordable housing in this community? If so, please give other examples. If not, why not?

The need for affordable housing, especially in neighborhoods like Bronzeville, has been ignored by the government for the longest time. However, I think more and more organizations are finally stepping up, and we are moving in the right direction. One of the initiatives putting money into communities like Bronzeville that have essentially been ignored by the city for years is Mayor Lightfoot’s INVEST South/West.

The wonderful thing is that the initiative has encouraged even more developers to invest in affordable housing construction like the upcoming 43 Green projects. Having been born and raised on the south side, seeing the amount of interest currently being poured into the communities holds a special place in my heart. But with that said, the progress is long overdue, and there is still a long way to go until affordable housing needs are met. 

How does your perspective as a contractor inform your view of the future of the availability of affordable housing in Chicago?

In 2021 material costs for almost all aspects of home building and renovation skyrocketed, and they continue to go up. The shift over the past year also means that low-income families aren’t making the extra money they need to afford market-rate housing, making affordable housing even more in demand than ever before. Generally, historic properties like Sage Collective Properties’ buildings in the Bronzeville community are selling for very high prices. Some have been renovated, but others have either been abandoned for years or have not been preserved due to the high expenses that come with the process. 

With time, everything deteriorates. So, without any help, it’s hard to keep these properties affordable for residents. The sad reality is that without continued help from the city, state or federal government — and investments from organizations like Sage Collective Properties  —  it’s going to be hard to keep developing affordable housing in these neighborhoods. 

Have there been unexpected or unique issues that you’ve been challenged with on this project?

The King Drive properties are mature buildings in a very historic area that have been neglected for a long time, so of course, there have been surprises that we’ve come across throughout the renovation. We’re discovering issues now that I’m sure didn’t even cross the mind of the previous owners because development is so different now than it was back when these buildings were built. One specific uncovering was the deterioration in some of the exterior bricks. We found small trees, weeds and other plants vibrantly growing in the actual spaces between the bricks, so we’ve had to uproot all of those. 

The one thing I will say is that it is a solid building and has very healthy bones. So, we can still put it back together with ease. Overall, I’m just so happy to see the phenomenal progress we’ve made so far and can’t wait to see the finished product. I’m also very appreciative that Sage has allowed me the opportunity to work on this project and be able to help them create something so wonderful, especially since I’m in my own community doing it!

Shevaz Freeman, General Contractor for Sage Collective Properties’ King Drive Projects & Owner of Urban Intention Design and Build
Shevaz Freeman, General Contractor for Sage Collective Properties’ King Drive Projects & Owner of Urban Intention Design and Build
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10.21.21 | Arts & Culture

A Brief History of Bronzeville’s Music Scene

Bronzeville has been home to several legendary performers and iconic venues throughout the neighborhood’s history. In celebration of Bronzeville’s rich past and to mark progress on our King Drive properties, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the unique venues and legendary artists that once filled Bronzeville’s music scene. 

Regal Theatre, 1941, Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Significant Venues

As the century turned and more and more African Americans moved to Bronzeville from the rural South looking for brighter opportunities, several clubs and theatres emerged to meet entertainment needs. Several venues became community favorites and local treasures, including Grand Theater, Dreamland Café, The 708 Club, Pepper’s Lounge and the Vendome Theater. However, a number of these sites became well-known far beyond the boundaries of Bronzeville.

Widely recognized as one of the most important jazz clubs in the country during its prime, Sunset Cafe, also known as The Grand Terrace Cafe, was the city’s premier theatre from the 1920s to the 1940s. The club’s manager, Joe Glazer, invited several of the nation’s top jazz performers to entertain guests, including his client, Louis Armstrong. While the building experienced some remodels and reopenings, it became officially recognized as a landmark in 1998. Today, the venue, located at 315 East 35th Street, functions as an Ace Hardware. However, some of the original murals that filled the historic walls of the Sunset Cafe remain. 

At the time, Savoy Ballroom and the neighboring Regal Theater, located only a few blocks South of our King Drive properties, were credited as some of the first major stakes in establishing a new center of gravity for the African American community in Chicago. Savoy’s half-acre ballroom and the Regal Theater’s opulent auditorium offered hard-to-find performance space. Top jazz, blues and soul performers across the country, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, left their mark on the famed clubs. The buildings were demolished in 1973 and are now home to the Harold Washington Cultural Center.

A band playing at the Savoy Ballroom, 1941, Courtesy of the Library of Congress

While the music scene thrived in Bronzeville for decades, the Great Depression brought unforeseen hardships to the community. Attendance in the top-tier theatres slipped for a time, but the 1940s brought back a resurgence in entertainment, with bebop music flourishing and nearly every big name in jazz returning. 

Uplifting Careers 

Throughout Bronzeville’s storied music history, multiple jazz, blues and soul legends visited the crowded theatres and clubs that filled the neighborhood. Music icons and various big band groups traveled the country to play the community’s numerous renowned venues. While many continued touring, countless others stayed in Bronzeville to expand their career and relish in the neighborhood’s rich culture.

As the jazz epicenter moved to Chicago from New Orleans in the late 1910s, so followed Joe Oliver — also known as King Oliver. Along with composing numerous celebrated works of music, Oliver played both individually on the cornet and in big bands along Chicago’s East 35th Street. He was also a pioneer in the field and mentored numerous young jazz artists throughout the city, including Louis Armstrong. After playing in Oliver’s band — the most influential jazz band in Chicago at the time — and earning a grand reputation competing in music contests throughout the neighborhood, Armstrong became recognized as perhaps the single most important jazz act during the genre’s heyday.

King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, 1923, Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Bronzeville native Nat “King” Cole was a legendary music personality and eventually became one of the neighborhood’s most well-known residents. Surrounded by a community rich with jazz and soul history, it didn’t take long for Cole to discover his passion for music. While living at 4023 South Vincennes Avenue, Cole took advantage of Bronzeville’s iconic venues and played at both the Savoy Ballroom and the Regal Theater before furthering his career around the United States. 

Through Sage Collective’s vision, we are proud to contribute to the legacy of African American culture, community and success that is, and always has been, the heart and soul of Bronzeville.

Regal Theatre, 1941, Courtesy of the Library of Congress
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10.19.21 | Arts & Culture

How Museums Might Reduce Your COVID-19 Stress

One of the largest challenges in modern-day life is finding a treatment for the frequent burnout that most of us feel daily. At Sage Collective, one of our most cherished beliefs is that wellness, health and empowerment should be made priorities in every community. That’s why today, we’re exploring how museums might be the perfect answer to your post-pandemic stress and burnout. 

Many individuals, especially older adults, have faced higher stress levels over the past year and a half than ever before. Feelings of uncertainty and unpredictability due to COVID-19 have also led to many feeling alone, anxious and burnt out, with little reprieve. However, there is growing research that offers tangible steps toward alleviating these negative feelings. 

Often in the present day, many feel like time is limited, and burnout is constant. However, solace can be found in the relaxing and revitalizing spaces of a museum. For many, the knowledge that curated spaces of art and history can provide a wealth of benefits for mental and physical health is new.

Recently, doctors in Belgium received permission to prescribe museum visits to combat the mental health crisis in their country, and similar actions have been implemented in Canada. Patients who get the prescriptions can go anywhere from an intimate art gallery to a fashion exhibition at a history museum. 

The goal behind the three-month-long trial is to promote an engaging learning experience and shift people away from the stress of their daily routines in hopes of having a positive impact on mental and physical health. The museums and exhibitions act as safe and welcoming places for patients to unwind from their day-to-day responsibilities and explore new ideas and areas of interest. Not only does the time off allow patients to catch their breath and spend time with loved ones, but it also acts as a moment of respite from the harsh realities of the pandemic. 

Instead of relying on drug therapies, this mode of enrichment has the possibility to be expanded to other areas of mental health beyond pandemic-related stress and anxiety to alleviating symptoms of depression, psychiatric disorders, anxiety and more. 

Numerous museums, galleries and art centers around Bronzeville present the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to combat stress and relax — in person or virtually. The South Side Community Arts Center, Gallery Guichard, Smart Museum of Art, DuSable Museum of African American History, and Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry are all wonderful choices to spend an afternoon enhancing your wellbeing and expanding your mind. 

Furniture and a crowd of people fill a bright museum interior.
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09.23.21 | Arts & Culture

Bronzeville’s Renaissance

Bronzeville’s dynamic history is ever-shifting as time progresses. Originating in the early 20th century, the neighborhood became an epicenter for Black culture, a topic you can read more about here. Today, Bronzeville is experiencing a renaissance, and Sage Collective is proud to be a part of it. The community is growing in numbers that haven’t been seen for decades and it’s welcoming businesses that add a breath of fresh air to the neighborhood’s enduring culture.

Data provided by the 2020 Census show that while the larger city of Chicago continues to grow at slow rates, neighborhoods in and around Bronzeville are embracing populations at much faster rates. Between 2010 and 2020, Bronzeville and its surrounding communities increased their populations by nearly 15%. And while Black populations in Chicago decreased by nearly 10% over the decade, there is a resurgence of Black middle class communities contributing to the population boom in neighborhoods like Bronzeville. 

It’s not hard to understand why both individuals and families are choosing to make Bronzeville their next home. The epicenter of culture and arts not only continues to celebrate its historic roots through revitalization projects like the transformation of the old Marshall Fields Building, but it also welcomes new businesses, developments and organizations with open arms. Sage Collective, as an organization with deep roots in Bronzeville, is excited about this trend, even as upscale, luxury housing moves steadily into the neighborhood, our goal remains the same — providing vibrant, high-quality living through affordable housing for older adults.

Unprecedented developments like Hatch 41, a new coworking space, and future projects like Bronzeville Lakefront act as catalysts for the neighborhood’s expansion. And with each new development, the intersecting goals of exploration, enrichment and celebration are present. 

As we shepherd new families, entrepreneurs, artists and changemakers back to Bronzeville, our values remain clear; we are a neighborhood where relationships are nurtured, community thrives and culture prevails. The renaissance of Bronzeville is upon us, and Sage Collective is proud to be a leader in it, inspiring neighbors and residents alike to participate in our movement.

A sign reads, "Welcome to Bronzeville"
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09.07.21 | Arts & Culture

The Cognitive Benefits of Scrapbooking

What might seem like an old-fashioned and outdated mode of documenting the past, scrapbooking is a pastime that can celebrate and relive memories while getting one’s creative juices flowing — especially for older adults. It is also a great way to curate family heirlooms for all to appreciate. Today, we’re sharing how immensely beneficial scrapbooking can be for improving cognitive function and reinforcing relationships. 

Scrapbooking provides a wealth of mental, emotional and physical benefits for older adults. Research has shown that the process of scrapbooking helps expand new neural pathways in the brain, a process called neuroplasticity. The hobby is a fantastic way for those suffering from dementia or memory loss to train their brains to be grounded in the present while still reflecting on the past. 

Scrapbooking is also a creative outlet, allowing participants to express emotions they might usually refrain from expressing. It permits people to revisit their past experiences, relieving their  negative emotions and regaining a sense of purpose. Scrapbooking also offers advantages for relieving stress as cognitive abilities deteriorate. 

Scrapbooking can also be fun to do with others. As a social experience, it fosters communication, lightening the effects of loneliness and creating the opportunity to explore common interests with others. Scrapbooking is also a marvelous way to bring families together and engage in an intergenerational activity that strengthens bonds. By helping older adults sort through the memorabilia of the past — photos, letters, drawings, etc. — to build scrapbooks from their own documented memories, younger generations also have the opportunity to establish their own connections to their family histories that will last long after the scrapbook is finished. 

When looking for engaging, emotionally-rich and creative activities to keep your mind active and revel in the past, put scrapbooking at the top of the list!

If you want to learn more about how to scrapbook, check out the video below.

 

A table is laid out with material used for scrapbooking.
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