Remembering Bronzeville Icon Ida B. Wells-Barnett on Her Birthday
Born on July 16, 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and later settling in Bronzeville, Ida B. Wells was a fearless journalist and civil rights pioneer.
Hey Chicago Southsiders,
Before there was investigative journalism as we know it—there was Ida B. Wells-Barnett.
Born into slavery in Mississippi in 1862, she became one of the most fearless voices in American history, using her pen to expose injustice. And guess where she called home before she passed away in 1931? Right here on the South Side of Chicago.
I had no idea that I lived down the street from her historic home during the early days of my career. Read more about her home here.
Ida bought a home in Bronzeville in 1919, where she lived with her husband Ferdinand Barnett, one of Chicago’s first Black assistant state's attorneys and publisher of The Conservator. Together, they raised a family and fought for civil rights, women’s suffrage, and the truth.
She didn’t just live here—she helped shape the soul of our city. In 2019, Chicago renamed a major downtown street Ida B. Wells Drive—making her the first Black woman in the city’s history to receive such an honor.
Let’s keep her legacy alive. Become part of something bigger. Join Inside Chicago Southsider and help us continue the work Ida started.
Talk soon,
Charlene Rhinehart
“South Side and proud of it”
Publisher, Chicago Southsider
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July Event Guide
Our July Event Guide is live, and it’s packed with ways to celebrate, connect, and explore all month long!
Check out a few events coming up:
Windy City Smoke Out
African/Caribbean International Festival of Life
Chosen Few DJs Picnic
Visit our July Event Guide here. Would you like to advertise in our event guide? Contact us at hello@chicagosouthsider.com.
Summer on the South Side
Your July Guide to Local Fun & Festivals: From parades to historic festivals, check out what’s going on around Chicago this weekend!
Nitsaniyah Fitch Crowned Miss Illinois 2025: She captured the title of Miss Illinois 2025 at the Marion Cultural & Civic Center on Saturday, June 28.
3rd Annual Maconomics Wealth Summit 2025: Chicago native Ross Mac is bringing his three-day wealth summit back to Whitney M. Young Magnet High School this month.
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