Building An Archive: Preserving Kankakee's Black Business History
Downtown Kankakee is where our community, culture, and history meet. It's a place where all are welcome to gather and celebrate all the vibrancy of our city. As we continue telling the story of our city's downtown heritage, we've recognized an important gap: much of the history of Black entrepreneurship in Kankakee has never been formally documented or preserved.
This Black History Month, we're launching a community archive project to change that.
Why This Matters
When people see their community's history reflected and honored, they feel a deeper sense of belonging. Kankakee has been built by entrepreneurs from all backgrounds across our city, but some chapters of that story have been better preserved than others.
For much of the 20th century, the north side of Kankakee, particularly along N. Hobbie Avenue, was home to a thriving corridor of Black-owned businesses. These weren't just commercial enterprises—they were barbershops where community news was shared, restaurants that became gathering places, groceries owned by neighbors who knew your family, and service providers who understood your needs.
These businesses represented economic independence, entrepreneurial vision, and community strength. Yet the story of N. Hobbie Avenue and Kankakee's Black-owned businesses has largely been preserved only in personal memories and family photo albums.
What We're Building
With initial contributions from community members and the Greater Kankakee Black Chamber of Commerce, we've begun compiling a list of Black-owned businesses that once served our community. But names on a list tell only part of the story.
We need:
Photos of storefronts, owners, employees, and customers
Stories about what made these businesses special
Details about locations, dates, and the people behind the enterprises
Memories of shopping, working, or gathering at these places
Every contribution—whether it's a carefully preserved photograph or a childhood memory of stopping by a favorite store—helps us build a more complete picture of Kankakee's entrepreneurial heritage.
Honoring All Our Stories
Preserving this history helps ensure that Kankakee's full entrepreneurial story is told. This archive will serve as a foundation for:
Future Black History Month recognitions and displays
Educational materials about Kankakee's business heritage
A more complete historical record for researchers and families
Inspiration for the next generation of entrepreneurs
From Ben's Groceries on N. Greenwood Ave. to Malone's Laundromat on N. Hobbie Ave., from barbershops to social clubs, these enterprises built community and created opportunity. They are an essential part of Kankakee's story.
How You Can Help
We need your memories, your photos, and your stories.
Do you remember shopping at these businesses? Do you have photos tucked away in old albums? Did your family own or work at a Black-owned business in Kankakee?
Share what you know using our submission form. You can upload photos, share detailed stories, or simply provide names and locations of businesses you remember.
Don't have photos? That's okay. Stories and details are just as valuable. Tell us:
What the business was called and where it was located
Who owned or ran it
What they sold or what services they provided
What you remember about visiting
Why it was important to you or the community
Every piece of information helps us preserve what might otherwise be forgotten.
Join Us in Preserving History
This project is about honoring the foundation that was built and ensuring that Kankakee's entrepreneurial story includes all the voices and visions that shaped our city.
Help us fill in the gaps and preserve the legacy of Black entrepreneurship in Kankakee.
Submit Your Photos and Stories
Together, we can ensure this important history isn't lost.
Questions about the project? Contact us at info@downtownkankakee.com.