It’s officially Black History Month in Chicago! The city and its surrounding areas are promoting events all month long designed to celebrate, educate and recognize the accomplishments and history of African Americans who have shaped our lives. If you’re looking to take a deeper dive, check out some of the ways Chicago is honoring Black History Month this year.
Visit the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Celebrating 61 years in business, DuSable is the nation’s oldest independent African American Museum. This month, they’ve got a whole list of events specifically dedicated to Black History Month, including “Steppin Thru History,” “History of Black Photography,” and “History of Black Martial Arts.” Check out the full list on their website for more information.
Stop By the Field Museum
Chicago’s Field Museum has a list of events and stories about African Americans’ contributions to science and museums this month. Start the month off with a keynote speech with Naomi Davis, Founder & CEO of Blacks in Green, an organization dedicated to Black community development. Or, check out their other featured events, which include the Africa Hall 30th Anniversary Celebration and Chancing Gateways to Science Career Panel and Mixer. Check out their website for more information.
Get Musical
Organizations all throughout the city and its surrounding areas are holding concerts and musical events to celebrate Black History Month. The South Side Jazz Coalition is performing a free concert of jazz classics on Valentine’s Day, Civil Rights icon Mavis Staples is presenting a range of Black musical history at the Chicago Symphony Center on February 4th and Hyde Park is hosting an Afrofuturism live concert on February 26th (just to name a few).
Catch a Screening
Chicago libraries are hosting free screenings of popular movies such as Black Panther, Hidden Figures and The Princess and the Frog. Check out your local library for any screening dates of their own, or visit the Chicago Public Library at 2100 S. Wentworth or 6 S. Hoyne for their showings!
Support a Black-owned Restaurant
If this cold weather has you feeling like just ordering in, check out your locally Black-owned restaurants. Enjoy Illinois created a list of restaurants across Chicagoland to help you get started, with cuisines ranging from Italian to sweets southern, there’s something for everyone. Or, if you’re feeling like heading into the outside world, check out Chicago Black Restaurant Week. Running from February 12-26th, this event has been running for eight years (and counting) to highlight some culinary standouts at Black-owned restaurants around the city.
…and so much more!
Whether you visit a historic landmark, take a tour, support a local business or attend a panel – you name it – there are ways for everyone to get involved this month.
