Tliis thesis is a study on the nature of philantluopy and its reflection on improving relations between races in 1920s Chicago. Julius Roscnwald played a pivotal role in helping create links between white philantlu'opists and a black elite. Chicago’s African American elite consisted of self-appointed leaders whose first and foremost aim was to improve persisting perceptions of blacks by whites. This study aims to bring out the attitudes ol leading blacks and whites in working together to improve race relations.