When it comes to the economy, the city of Rockford attracts headlines for its consistently high unemployment rate. But a new federal report says the area’s GDP rate posted a strong gain in 2011, beating the national average.
Estelle Black was born and raised in Rockford. Several years ago, she shared her life experience for an oral history project chronicling 66 African Americans who have lived in the Forest City for 25 years or more.
