On a cool, sunny day last July, Audrey Wright and Sharon White arrived in Englewood to tour the building that would house the business of their dreams. They envisioned a garment factory that would teach industrial trades and provide up to 100 jobs for residents of this high-unemployment neighborhood. They had government and civilian contracts. They had the support of 15th Ward alderman Theodore Thomas. They’d found a city-owned building that was perfect for their needs, and the city was eager to sell it to them at a good price. As they stood at the threshold of the building, accompanied by the alderman and two contractors, their vision seemed to be taking shape.
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She established the nonprofit entity Gordie’s Foundation to teach trades like garment making and industrial upholstery. She also set out to open a factory in Cumberland, a struggling coal miners’ town in Harlan County, Kentucky, her home state. She borrowed money from anyone who would lend it, delved into her husband’s pension fund, and depleted her savings. She bought discounted equipment and supplies and secured a vacant building that she could use free for six months. In 2000, with the support of politicians and residents and a workforce of 35, Wright opened CH Millery (named for Cumberland and Harlan). She worked diligently trying to secure government grants and contracts and spent about 60 hours a week making multiple trips between Chicago and the factory. Five months later, she had not won a single grant or contract, and the factory closed. She lost $200,000, but not her hopes. She resolved to find a business partner and try it again.
Back in Chicago she approached Sharon White, who had sold her some sewing machines for the Kentucky venture. White, who grew up in public housing and became an electronic engineer, had left a corporate job to start On-Screen Graphics, a silk-screening business at 89th and Woodlawn that trained Cabrini-Green residents. In spring 2001, Wright rented out her salon and joined forces with White. They produced backpacks, seat belts, prison uniforms, church robes, and school band and sports uniforms. But the struggling venture lasted only a few months before a spike in rent at 89th and Woodlawn sent the women back to a space in Wright’s old building. In spring 2002 they decided they needed to start looking for a larger facility. Alderman Thomas escorted the women around the neighborhood and introduced them to local business owners. He was enthusiastic about their plan. “[It] will have a tremendous impact on the 15th Ward,” he says, “and I’m all for it.” Among others, the women say, they had a cordial visit with Bishop Jackson at his shop. Jackson offered to help them move into the neighborhood, Wright recalls.
In September, the city and an attorney for Jackson made a legal agreement stipulating Jackson would leave the Ashland building in October. But Jackson didn’t leave. On October 17, he filed a motion to vacate the September agreement, which was denied. Five days later he filed a federal civil rights suit, claiming the city went “against my rights as a bishop, a pastor and my human rights as a black man.” (That suit was dismissed.)
Jackson asserts that Alderman Thomas intends to become CEO of CH Millery, the name Audrey Wright continues to use. “These two women running around won’t own nothing when it’s over,” he says. “They’re fronting for some Caucasians who will own the property.”
