South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) Oral History Project
South Asian students at a picnic in Chicago, circa 1959. Courtesy of SAAPRI.
(2005 - 2007)
Center for Urban Research and Learning at Loyola University (CURL) partnered with the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI) Oral History project and the Devon Community Development Planning initiative.
The goals of the Oral History project were: to conduct interviews with at least 25 individuals and families who arrived in Illinois from South Asia before 1965; the transcription and analysis of the interviews and materials; to publish and archive materials. The report can be found here.
Devon Avenue, in the heart of Chicago’s Little India (courtesy of SAAPRI)
The goals of the Devon Community Development initiative were: develop and create a Devon business directory; assist in the creation of the directory; create and implement a distribution plan to the wider community. A series of six conversations and focus groups were held with key stakeholders in the community that created an asset map of the community and prioritized areas of change and growth. The plan outlined the strategies to preserve, expand and revitalize the various aspects of the community such as housing; educational, community, cultural and spiritual institutions; and businesses.
Research Team:
A. Sharma, CURL
K. Sujata, SAAPRI
A. Kalayil, SAAPRI
Community Partner: