Chicago Urban Historian Shermann Dilla Thomas visited Niles West on Jan. 18 during periods 7 and 8. Thomas is a historian and tour guide in Chicago who uses captivating stories to educate people about the history of Chicago.
After starting a Tiktok account telling stories about Chicago over quarantine, Thomas quickly rose to fame and became viral. Shortly after his debut on Tiktok and Instagram, Thomas appeared on “The Today Show,” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Thomas has also been named 2022 Chicago Tourism Ambassador of the Year by Choose Chicago along with receiving the Chicago Public Library Foundations 21t Century Award.
Thomas’s visit at West consisted of him expressing the power of knowing the history about places around you and feeling connected by it as well. He also emphasized how using social media as a platform for positivity rather than negativity can make a big difference.
“I am here to one encourage you to kind of care a little bit more about history. Not history as in your history book, but history about where you are and how it effects who you are. Then the other part of it is to encourage the power of positivity,” Thomas said.
Thomas explained the types of stories he would tell people about Chicago.
“I started to tell Chicago stories, how the first open heart transplant happened here in Chicago in 1893. Starting to tell stories how the Chinese take out box comes from Chicago, or the first ever America car race happened in Chicago and how the first Muslim Mosque on American soil was built in Chicago,” Thomas said.
Thomas tends to highlight stories that bring people together rather than divide them.
“I tell Chicago stories to unify us, to connect us. Particularly in a world like today where [they] divide us,” Thomas said.
Many students were fascinated with Thomas’s visit and learned a lot of new history about the land they grew up in.
“I thought he was really cool! I lived in Chicago when I was younger and I knew some of the stuff he said but I didn’t know other stuff, so it was really cool learning from him because this is my city. It’s amazing to learn new things about the places you lived in. You get to experience new things about the same place you grew up in, it was really fascinating,” sophomore Michelle Adefala said.
Thomas was an optimistic speaker and many felt motivated by him as well.
“I thought he was exactly what I needed to hear, I think that the beginning of the year is a tough time since we just came back from break. He is super positive and he’s very intentional with his inclusive messaging. It was great having him and starting the year off with a positive message,” Librarian Vicki Pietrus said.
Thomas felt that it was important for students to know what Chicago truly consists of aside from the stereotype and to feel proud to be a part of Chicago.
“The Chicago land area is not just gang activities, it’s far more than that. It’s a place that has found many invocations, so many things come from a place we call home. The overarching message is to stay on the positive side of social media, and crazy stuff will happen,” Thomas said.
With the use of social media and posting videos about Chicago, Thomas was reached out by a Netflix executive who saw his videos. Thomas is currently working on a Netflix series inspired by the history of Chicago.
