Cornered: Preserving Maywood Black History Through the Lens of a Restrictive Covenant

Through resilience and determination, the Black community of Maywood, Illinois, built a thriving neighborhood within the confines of segregation and restrictive covenants. Cornered is a rich and deeply personal chronicle of that journey-an intimate look at how one community preserved its dignity, connection, and pride against systemic exclusion. Drawing on historical records, family stories, and over 600 archival photographs, lifelong Maywood resident Peggy Moore Alexander captures the vibrant spirit of a neighborhood that refused to be defined by its boundaries. In this book, you'll discover: The origins and impact of Maywood's restrictive covenant zone (10th-14th Avenue, St. Charles Road - Madison Street) The families and leaders who shaped a resilient Black community Rare photos and firsthand stories from residents who lived through segregation, riots, and renewal How shared history and pride sustain a community through change For readers of The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, Our Black History in Color by Various Authors, and Black Fortunes by Shomari Wills-Cornered is both a historical record and a heartfelt celebration of belonging, unity, and legacy.