Everything Dope about America Comes from Chicago

Shermann “Dilla” Thomas is passionate and well-versed in Chicago’s history, architecture, and culture. He brings the city to life through captivating storytelling and insider knowledge. The Chicago Emmy winning, self-taught historian was awarded the City of Chicago's Tourism Ambassador of the Year by Choose Chicago. Public Narrative has named Dilla the 2022 Studs Terkel Uplifting Voice recipient, and The Chicago Public Library has awarded Dilla the 21st Century Award for his recent achievements in promoting Chicago to the world. Dilla has been independently studying the history of Chicago for over 20 years, and his candid and truthful reflection of that history can be felt in his videos and presentations. Dilla embodies the essence of the city and reverberates his message everywhere that “Everything Dope about America Comes from Chicago.”

This lecture is presented with support from the Louis Wetmore Fund and the Leonard Heumann Fund.