The Last Days of Cabrini-Green

By: Ben Austen, Harrison David Rivers

Narrated by: Ben Austen, Patina Miller, Harry Lennix, Corey Stoll

In 1992, the deadliest year in Chicago’s history, seven-year-old Dantrell Davis was shot and killed in front of his elementary school inside the public housing complex Cabrini-Green. What happened to Dantrell led to a truce among Chicago’s gangs, but it also ignited a national panic about poverty and violence in America’s cities. Dantrell’s name would soon be used to demolish all of Chicago’s high-rise public housing, displacing tens of thousands of low-income families.

Through first-person accounts, original reporting, and dramatized scenes, The Last Days of Cabrini-Green tells the story of Dantrell Davis and his mother Annette Freeman and how Cabrini-Green’s rise and fall changed the course of American public housing.

Please note: The Last Days of Cabrini-Green has some fictionalized accounts of real events, including violence.

This is a co-production from AT WILL MEDIA and Campside Media.

©2024 At Will Media (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC

I love the performance and the subject

What America does to people is disgusting. My heart is with those who struggle

Captivating

I enjoyed the storytelling and also when they were scenes to fill-in, it kept the story interesting. I connected with this most because I watched this happen in Chicago and the effects are forever.

Community is not together like they were in the past

Although this senseless death of a child happened 30+ years ago in Chgo, it’s STILL occurring Today in communities. This is a well done Podcast/documentary. I like the re-enactment of police officers, the jail call of the killer, and other events that occurred during that time. I also like that we heard actual interviews from the past Mayor’s Burns & R. Daily, jr. It would be nice if gangs could have a cease fire Now, like they did in 1992 that last a few years. It was nice to hear community leaders & residents fighting for their home & their community, even though the city lied to them in the end. Listen to this, you won’t be disappointed.

A Must listen for every Chicagoan

This story is timeless —such an important listen. Every Chicagoan, especially those living where Cabrini Green once lived, should hear this podcast.

First hand documentation of gentrification

I loved the first-hand narrations by people who lived the experience. The story is genuinely authentic.

Impactfull and Necessary

Thank you for telling the story of Cabrini-Green and Dantrell. Awareness is key to sustainable change. Our children deserve better.

An Incredible account of a senseless death in Chicago public housing and the public and political reaction to this tradgedy.

Ben Austen and team did an excellent job telling this story! I have a better understanding of the life in Cabrini Green, the people that lived there, the senseless tragedy of children, the plain clothes police and activists working there, and the community that made up the area.

In addition, I now have a better view into the Political Will throughout the decades to tackle problems that have existed in Chicago's Public Housing and the lives of people that have destroyed and stressed. I'm amazed, saddened, and impressed all at the same time at the conclusion of this program. Job well done !

Sad story on a few accounts but definitely needs to be told.

I like the perspective from a few of the people that were actually around there in those days. very real and down to earth.

An important moment in Chicago History

I remember this story and I also remember all of the high-rise projects being demolished. As MPH student and Public Health practitioner primarily focused on housing it’s eye-opening to hear this story through this new lens and saddening that not much has changed to desegregate the city.

I believe Chicago is reaping what was sown during this time. The poverty and crime on the south and the west sides have been ignored for so long, no one outside of these areas cared until the crime came to their neighborhoods. Until we address the systemic root causes the city will continue this cycle of violence.

Heartbreaking and informative

I’m not familiar with Chicago, so had never heard about Dantrell’s tragedy or Cabrini Green’s story. It was really moving and frustrating.