GETTING OUR STORIES STRAIGHT!
Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of Obsidian Magazine!
We are thrilled to introduce Obsidian Magazine, a platform dedicated to uncovering and celebrating the untold stories of Black history and culture. This publication stems from the mission of The Obsidian Collection Archives—to bring to light the remarkable narratives preserved in professional and personal archives for decades.
As the publisher of this periodical and the Executive Director of The Obsidian Collection
Archives, I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to share these incredible stories with you. Over the years, I’ve found myself captivating friends and colleagues at social gatherings with the tales I’ve encountered in this work. Now, through Obsidian Magazine, we can bring these narratives to an even wider audience.
The Vision Behind Obsidian Magazine
Each time we uncover a collection of Black history, we explore multiple ways to share its story—through exhibits, blogs, podcasts, Black Papers, public speaking engagements, artist salons, and even movie premieres. But some topics are so rich, with so many layers and twists, that they deserve deeper exploration. This is where The Obsidian Magazine steps in.
The Obsidian Magazine is an annual publication designed to dive deeply into one historic theme with each issue. Our goal is to create content that remains timeless and journalistically evergreen. With every edition, we aim to illuminate a single topic with depth and nuance, offering readers a profound understanding of its impact.
The First Edition: "ALL THINGS POLICY"
For our inaugural issue, we delve into the fascinating world of "Policy," the numbers game that once served as the economic engine of Bronzeville, Chicago. The men who ran Policy, often referred to as Policy Kings, were the venture capitalists of their time. They played a pivotal role in fueling the growth of Black-owned businesses and institutions.
From financing hospitals to building an airport, supporting artists, and establishing a bank, Policy Kings left an indelible mark on their communities. This issue captures their legacy, exploring the resilience, innovation, and community strength that defined the era. You’ll hear from people who grew up surrounded by Policy’s influence and discover how their grandchildren carry these stories forward.
Why This Matters
Publishing Obsidian Magazine is a labor of love and a profound joy. In times like these, having our own platforms to tell our stories—in our voices and from our community’s perspective—is essential. Through this magazine, we are ensuring that these extraordinary stories are preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
If you’d like to purchase the print magazine, you can do so through this link. The online version offers highlights from each article for you to explore.
As we say in the community, we’re getting our stories straight! Thank you for joining us on this journey. There is so much more to come, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
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