Black Chicago History Forum

10/02/2026

Black Theater in Chicago!!

Join us for the October Africa Forum as we continue our exploration of theater with directors of Black theater.

Register using the link below:
https://AfricaForum1026.eventbrite.com

10/02/2026

Black History is American History!! Great job!!

09/22/2026

Great work preserving Black music history and global music history!!

For the first time, the Muddy Waters Mojo Museum will be part of Open House Chicago on October 17–18!

Muddy Waters’ former 1891 two-flat home has been restored and reimagined into a museum, studio and performance space celebrating the legendary blues musician and Chicago blues history. Landmarks Illinois was proud to award the first-ever grant through the Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side to the Muddy Waters Original Jam Out (MOJO) Museum, supporting its preservation and transformation.

The project is a recipient of a 2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Restoration, which will be celebrated on November 6 in Chicago. This spring, Chandra Cooper, and MOJO Museum were also recognized as one of nine recipients of the 2026 Preservation Excellence Awards presented by City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development on behalf of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

Visit the MOJO Museum during Open House Chicago and experience this important space for music, education and community.

09/12/2026

“Land ownership and residency along South Parkway, from 43rd to 45th streets: the great Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone and Poro College, the Del Monte Hotel and other instances of control over space”
presented by
Maceo Leon Thomas, M.A.
Black Chicago community historian

WHERE:
The George Cleveland Hall Library
4801 S. Michigan Ave.
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2026
TIME: 2:30 - 4:30 pm

ASALH -- Chicago Branch Bronzeville / Black Chicagoan Historical Society Bronzeville Preservation Society

09/12/2026

09/05/2026

🖤💚❤️

08/31/2026

A celebration of amazing scholarship!!! ❤️🖤💚

50 YEARS OF AFRICANA STUDIES
at Olive-Harvey College
You are invited to attend a 2-Day Conference at Olive-Harvey College Celebrating 50 Years of Africana Studies: Highlighting Challenges, Self-Determination and Healing after the United Nations' Decade of People of African Descent Declaration Wednesday, September 9 to Thursday, September 10, 2026 9:00am - 9:00pm
1000I S. WOODLAWN AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60628
Bruce Cherry Theater

05/19/2026

From our friends at the PBS series American Masters….Explore the life and legacy of scholar and Civil Rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois whose legacy as an activist continues to resonate today. The documentary “W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause” premieres on Tuesday, May 19 at 9/8c on PBS. https://ow.ly/6aus50Z0zBZ

04/04/2026

From local poets like Gwendolyn Brooks (pictured here at Hall Branch in 1949) to poetry from across the globe, we invite you to celebrate all types of poets and poetry with CPL’s Poetry Month celebrations! Enjoy bilingual poetry workshops, explore Korean Sijo and Japanese Waka poems, share your writing with other local authors at our Open Mic Night with PO Box Collective and more. Plus, don’t miss this year’s Poetry Fest, where we’ll host a special keynote featuring Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda Alexandra del Valle. Start planning your month with us: chi.gov/poetrymonth2026

Image source: George Cleveland Hall Branch Archives, photo 048

03/13/2026

State Representative Sonya Harper recently joined Marvin Slaughter Jr. to discuss the first report released by the Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission, “Taking Account: A History of Racial Harm & Injustice Against Black Illinoisans.”

The report examines the historical harms of slavery and systemic injustice and how those impacts continue to affect Black communities across Illinois today.

As both a commissioner and the State Representative for Illinois’ 6th District, Rep. Harper encourages residents across the state to read the report and share their voices in this important process. Public input will play a key role in shaping the path forward.

Illinois residents are invited to attend the upcoming public hearing on April 25 at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago to learn more and contribute to the conversation about repair, justice, and the future of Illinois. Please click link to listen to full interview.

https://www.wsiu.org/state-of-illinois/2026-03-09/illinois-commission-releases-report-on-harms-to-black-illinoisans