Picture Me Rolling (INC)

Shomari Kress wants to live the American Dream: start his own business, make lots of money, drive a fast car. But like many other young African-American men in his south side Chicago neighborhood, he's not sure how to realize that dream.

1997 / Cecilia Vaisman / Shirley Jahad / All Things Considered, USA

Shomari Kress wants to live the American Dream: start his own business, make lots of money, drive a fast car. But like many other young African-American men in his south side Chicago neighborhood, he's not sure how to realize that dream.

Shomari's world seems to offer him two options: low-paying service jobs or the lucrative, illegal drug trade. He finds himself at a crossroads, choosing between selling drugs and a low-paying, entry-level job.


produced by

Cecilia Vaisman

Cecilia Vaisman was an award-winning journalist and cofounder of Homelands Productions.

Shirley Jahad

Shirley Jahad came to KPCC from Chicago Public Radio, where she was a news correspondent, anchor, and local host of Weekend Edition. She also served as a television correspondent for WTTW, Chicago Public Television. In her spare time she's been working toward her black belt and learning to play smoky jazz and blues tunes on her saxophone.


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