In the 1950’s African American Studebaker workers from the South won out over Jim Crow in the North to build 22 homes in a white neighborhood. They created a vibrant community where many of their children went to college. Their success demonstrates the decisive importance of fair housing for generations to come.
It is a victory in a battle that is not won yet since housing discrimination and redlining persist until today.
Better Homes: The Play written by Caleen Jennings, performed at the South Bend Civic Theater, November, 2023. WNIT (PBS) recording of the play: https://www.pbs.org/show/better-homes-the-play/; https://youtu.be/8zB0an6Fx6U?si=B4xajyaxOYzeoYPn
WNYC “United States of Anxiety” podcast on Better Homes of South Bend, Feb. 27, 2020.
Book talk: https://youtu.be/z6D6o6Guyfo
Fair Housing Panel with Host Joshua Short
WSBT interview 7.25.22
Podcast with Matt Emery Summer 2023
Baton twirlers at Elmer Street parade, Aug. 1962. Courtesy Vicki Belcher and Brenda Wright
Recognitions and Reviews
Selected “One Bar, One Book” by the St. Joseph County Bar Foundation in 2016.
Supplementary feature of “One Book/One Michiana” 2017.
Featured at Fighting For Housing Conference, Notre Dame University, April 19-20, 2018.
Inivted by Sterling Prof. Elijah Anderson to Yale University, Oct. 15, 2018.
“An eye opening look at racial issues in America after WW II and up to the present.” Don Halasz, GOODREADS
Insightful and powerful. A part of South Bend’s history that cannot be ignored.” Carter A, GOODREADS
Leroy Cobb, original member of Better Homes, and Gabrielle Robinson at dedication of Better Homes State Historic Marker 2016. Speaker: Mayor Pete Buttigieg
