The Obsidian Collection Archives is thrilled to share that we were asked to host the public theatrical release of the documentary King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones. This compelling film tells the story of Edward Jones, one of the most significant leaders, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists of historic Black Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s. Directed and produced by his granddaughter, Harriet Marin Jones, the documentary provides a captivating look at an often-overlooked chapter in Black Chicago history, brought to life through her meticulous research and expert storytelling.
Few people realize that the economic powerhouse behind Black Chicago was fueled by The Policy Kings. These influential leaders provided business loans, established banks, and funded a range of community needs, from hospitals and an airport to support for the arts. Our community thrived with its own economy, flourishing independently until the state absorbed the community lottery to create the Illinois State Lottery.
The documentary has been featured in 32 film festivals across the globe, winning awards at 27 of them. To be eligible for an Oscar nomination, King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones had to be screened in a public theater for seven consecutive days, three times a day, in one of only six cities in the United States. As a Parisian filmmaker, Harriet Marin Jones faced this challenge, and that’s when she turned to us. Given our commitment to reclaiming the Black narrative and telling authentic stories, it was only fitting for The Obsidian Collection Archives, based right here in Chicago, to support this endeavor. We worked with Harper Theater in Hyde Park to make this exciting one-week premiere a reality.
Opening night was very special. Harriet Marin Jones flew in from Paris. Her family came from several states to see the film as well. Community Leaders and descendants from the phenomenal businesses of the Black Metropolis era were on hand too. It was a wonderful evening.
Bringing the Community to the Theater
Hosting the movie wasn’t our only goal. We wanted to ensure that seniors from the community, as well as younger generations, had the opportunity to see this important film. It’s crucial for the residents of Bronzeville to understand the rich history of their community and the vibrant culture that once thrived here before the fall of the Policy Kings. Thanks to the generous support of the Field Foundation, we were able to provide complimentary tickets to members of the community, including both young and old storytellers in Chicago.
Special thanks also go to Alderman Pat Dowell and Alderman Lamont Robinson, who helped organize bus transportation for their constituents to attend the screenings. The Obsidian Collection Archives took great pride in securing seats for numerous Chicago residents, ensuring that this vital story reaches as many people as possible.
Preserving and Expanding the Narrative
A story was written about this documentary in Chicago Magazine. Our media team secured that interview for Harriet. We're very excited that this important piece of Black Chicago's history. The magazine reaches a very wide audience. This will help many more people learn what really happened in our past.
In addition to hosting this premiere, we’ve created a dedicated information page about the film, highlighting its historical context and significance. Our archives contain a wealth of information on the policy era in Chicago, and we are excited to expand our storytelling efforts around this pivotal part of Black history. With King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones, we are taking one more step toward reclaiming the Black narrative, telling accurate and powerful stories about our history.
Join us in this journey as we celebrate our history, our leaders, and our stories. The Obsidian Collection Archives is committed to ensuring these voices are heard and remembered for generations to come.
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