…unique record of many facets of the life, work, and contributions of Black individuals, communities, groups, organizations, and businesses. In preparation for full-scale archival processing, archivists from the GRI and…
The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library invites the community to The Blaxtravaganza, a series of events highlighting the research, creativity, and brilliance of Black professors on the University of Illinois…
Read More from Blaxtravaganza: Reiko Huffman Presents “Scenic Design and the Process”
Countless African Americans in Champaign County have dedicated themselves to public service as volunteers, government employees, members of civic organizations, and elected representatives of individual communities. However, until 1972, no African American had been elected to a countywide office in Champaign County.
…processes Johnson honors those women in the shadows and captures “layers and levels of womanhood” via a “transfer printmaking process on vintage and aged-metal ironing boards.” She discerns and embraces…
Chartered in 1851, the Illinois Central Railroad was lobbied for by both Steven A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Completed by 1856, it was considered the longest railroad in the world. From 1857 through the Civil War, the Illinois Central Railroad (IC) was said to carry fugitives from slavery, along with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, and the Chicago and Rock Island Railroads. Fugitives travelled by box cars and passenger cars, by day and by night. With the assistance of railroad porters, sympathetic conductors, laborers, freedmen, and abolitionists, they managed to travel mostly without arrest.
Read More from African Americans and the Illinois Central Railroad
…place in the world. As you explore the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail, we hope the experience will illuminate your understanding of yourself, our community, and American history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-MlChUJ3Mw…
…as they advocate to keep their school, a community safe-haven, intact. For more: Official Website: https://www.lightshinefilm.com/ Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LightShineFilm/ Official Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/lightshinedoc Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/light_shine_film/?hl=en WILL/Illinois Public Media: https://will.illinois.edu/…
…difficult-to-find additions that elude him during research to connect golden-age hip-hop samples to their source material. His collection ultimately fuels the series that incorporates animation and comic book illustrations ignited…
In July 1862, President Abraham Lincoln and Congress authorized the use of African Americans as military combatants; however, they were not actually able to serve until after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863. Later the same year, Illinois Governor Richard Yates Sr. authorized the organization of the Illinois 29th Colored Infantry Regiment, better known as the 29th United States Colored Troops (USCT). Formed in Quincy, Illinois, on April 24, 1864, by Lieutenant Colonel John Boss, the 29th USCT was the only African American regiment raised in Illinois. The regiment was comprised of ten companies. Companies A through E were comprised primarily of men from Illinois, while companies F through K were mostly made up of men from outside the state. At least nine Black men from Champaign County enlisted into the 29th USCT at the Urbana Courthouse with four others enlisting in other “colored regiments” outside of Illinois.
…collaborators have nurtured a community of thinkers and artists grounded in the resources that normative institutions ignore. All of Alexis’s work is grounded in a community building ethic and would…
Read More from Food for the Soul/Inside Scoop with Alexis Pauline Gumbs
…Sponsored by the University of Illinois Police Department, Community Outreach and Support Team, Illini Union, and the 2023 MLK Commemorative Planning Committee. For more information contact Dementro “Debo” Powell, dementro@illinois.edu….
The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library invites the community to The Blaxtravaganza, a series of events highlighting the research, creativity, and brilliance of Black professors on the University of Illinois…
Read More from Blaxstravaganza: Reading by Professor David Wright Faladé
The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library invites the community to The Blaxtravaganza, a series of events highlighting the research, creativity, and brilliance of Black professors on the University of Illinois…
Read More from Blaxtravaganza: Alexandra Barbier and “Stations of Black Loss – Work(s) in Progress”
The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library invites the community to The Blaxtravaganza, a series of events highlighting the research, creativity, and brilliance of Black professors on the University of Illinois…
Read More from Blaxtravaganza: Table Reading with Courtney Becks
Since 1900, when William Walter Smith became the first African American to graduate from the University of Illinois, many African Americans who attended the University have gone on to become important leaders, innovators, artists, and thinkers. This page features some notable University alumni. Please check back periodically as we continue to include more information.
…history and MTD invites the entire community to join us for this family-friendly event that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. MTD and our community partners have created a…
…make a lasting impression with your name that people will view for years to come. Bricks will likely be installed in spring 2025. Please complete all required fields below. You…
…make a lasting impression with your name that people will view for years to come. Bricks will likely be installed in spring 2025. Please complete all required fields below. For…
Frederick Douglass visited Champaign on February 15, 1869, at Barrett Hall, located above what was Henry Swannell's Drug Store, now One Main Plaza. His topic was Self-Made Men. It was reported that, “His wit was keen and sparkling, his humor dry and effective, and his logic and argument as clear as that of the most polished orator in the land.” Champaign County Gazette, February 17, 1869, page 1
The Campus-Community Compact to Accelerate Social Justice, The Illinois Broadband Lab, The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, and i3 Broadband are proud to host a Juneteenth screening of the Media Justice…
Join us for a community, nature-based community wellness event intentionally for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community members of Champaign County. Organized by the Nurtured in Nature team of…
Read More from Nurtured in Nature: Summer BIPOC Hiking Event
Homer, Illinois, has a rich history as a village where many early African Americans in Champaign County could gather, work, recreate, and build successful lives for themselves and their families. Many prominent African American businesspeople, intellectuals, and community leaders passed through or came from Homer.
Read More from Early Achievements in Homer & Southeastern Champaign County
On March 22, 1941, the first all-Black fighter squadron, known as the 99th Pursuit Squadron, was activated at Chanute Field. “Pursuit” was the pre-World War II term for “fighter.” At the time, the U.S. armed forces maintained segregated units. Over 250 enlisted men were trained at Chanute Field in aircraft ground support—airplane mechanics, supply clerks, weather forecasters and armorers. When the men of the 99th left Chanute to go to Tuskegee in November, they left behind the highest collective Grade Point Average ever earned at the base, before or since their stay. These men would become the core of the Black squadrons forming at Tuskegee and Maxwell Fields in Alabama where Black flyers were being trained—later known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
Read More from Former Chanute Air Force Base and the 99th Pursuit Squadron
…Cook-Off Contest, Family, Friendly, Diverse Atmosphere and More. Celebrating the legacy of the late Mrs. Jettie Rhodes and her commitment to serve her community. Help us pack King Park!! https://www.facebook.com/events/965484594430125/?ref=newsfeed…
Read More from 25th Annual MLK Jettie Rhodes Neighborhood Day
…and young adults to be Community Health Workers and Citizen/Community Scientists. She is also developing Wellness Stores/Spaces in schools and other locations in communities. Florence Adibu is a Research Scientist…
Located at 500 E. Park Street in Champaign, Salem Baptist Church was initially established in 1867, the same year the University of Illinois was established, as Second Baptist Church at 406 E. Park ("the Old Coffee Place"). In 1874, the original church was destroyed by arson. After occupying locations at Swannell Drug Store at Main and Hickory, and on East Clark Street, the church bought the land at its current location in 1901 and began construction in 1908. It was renamed as Salem Baptist Church.
…isolating and amplifying a detail, or by collaging and piling up to create an effect of abundance. Throughout her process, Jen Everett remixes images of herself in conversation with the…
…richness in diversity of its residents and their histories. The City once again recognizes Juneteenth as we continue to promote a strong and inclusive community.” For more information, visit: https://www.chambanamoms.com/events/juneteenth-2024-reflections-and-reverence-ceremony/…
Read More from Juneteenth 2024: Reflections and Reverence Ceremony
…Croix de Guerre. Come hear more about this important fighting unit, the local men who fought with it, and their community contributions after the war. Register to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-story-of-the-370th-infantry-unit-and-its-impact-on-champaign-county-tickets-810829913097?aff=oddtdtcreator…
Read More from The Story of the 370th Infantry Unit and Its Impact on Champaign County
…kinds of work to do, and an opportunity to view a short introduction video about Books to Prisoners if you are interested in that. Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4ca9ae2aa1f5c16-sign#/…
Come to the Library for a storytime and craft celebrating Black culture, accomplishments, and joy. Recommended Ages: 0-5 For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/278802411443465/…
Read More from Storytime & a Craft Celebrating Black History Month
…which is American history, at Boomerangs Bar & Grill on February 25 from 7–9 PM. The show will include comedy, poetry, live music, and more. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1083892879499686….
Parkland College is hosting a Community Education African American Film Series on Thursday, February 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room U140. Contact the office of Student Life…
Read More from Community Education African American Film Series
During the 1950s and 1960s, African Americans fought for equal opportunity in employment across the nation. In Champaign-Urbana, the Champaign-Urbana Improvement Association (CUIA) was founded to demand greater job opportunities for African Americans, resulting in one of the most influential local civil rights victories known as the J.C. Penney Boycott.
Read More from The J.C. Penney Boycott and Picketing Campaign
The Dr. Martin Luther King Subdivision, located between North Fourth Street and the Canadian National railroad tracks in Champaign, Illinois, was a part of urban renewal that took place in the late 1960s, eventually replacing the old Oak-Ash neighborhood. It began in the 1980s and was the only urban renewal project that was not replaced with public or subsidized housing. The names of the streets in the subdivision were chosen to recognize African Americans who were historically significant for the community and submitted to the city council by J. W. Pirtle.
The celebration will take place at Dana Colbert Park, 203 E. Church St., in Savoy. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/421631033967257/?ref=newsfeed…
…your friends and family for an unforgettable celebration filled with great food, music, and fun. Let’s make this Juneteenth one to remember! See you there! For more information, visit: https://www.neilstblues.com/events/juneteenth-celebration…
…Bring your friends, celebrate freedom, and let’s make this a night to remember. Must be 21+ to enter For more information, call us at 217-531-1150 For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1176125036898514/…
…to submit their poems to the Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards, a statewide youth poetry competition founded by Gwendolyn Brooks herself when she was Illinois’s poet laureate. Illinois Humanities has…
Read More from Celebrating Gwendolyn Brooks: A Workshop for Young Poets
This free event will include self-care services, lunch will be provided and an open mic will be facilitated. For more information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-love-day-celebration-tickets-772582825027…
…E. Church St., Savoy). Free food, shopping, music, poetry, and more! The event will take place on June 19, from 12:00–6:00 p.m. For more information, visit this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/3352338645004923/…
Read More from Juneteenth Celebration at Colbert Park (Savoy)
…by Anchor Church, but we are also asking people to make and bring their favorite dish(es) to have it as more of a potluck style dinner. Questions? Please visit: https://www.anchorchurchil.com/…
…welcome to attend! Media wishing to cover the Peace March before or during the event may contact Jameel Jones, Outreach and Wellness Manager, at (217) 367-1544. Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1347739896189178/?ref=newsfeed…
…10pm $10 cover till 11pm Security and dress code enforced Kitchen open 21+ to enter Only at Neil St Blues! 301 N. Neil St, #106 Champaign, IL, 61820 217-531-1150 www.neilstblues.com…
…navigating the challenges of social media with today’s peer pressures. Cohosts: • Reginald Hardwick, IPM Public Media News & Public Affairs Director • Tracy Parsons, Comm. Relations & Facilitator Community…
Read More from News, Brews & Beatz: Parenting Black Children & Teens Today
A nature-based community building event for BIPOC community members of Champaign County! Join us for a community, nature-based community wellness event intentionally for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community…
Despite increasing numbers of African Americans matriculating into the University of Illinois in the 1930s and 1940s, discrimination was rampant on campus and in Campustown. Black students were prohibited from eating in dining halls and local eateries, forcing many students to walk 30 minutes each way for meals in the North End, Champaign-Urbana’s African American neighborhood.
…the Ink: Constructions of Black Identity in Comics and Sequential Art (Rutgers) and cofounder/organizer of The Schomburg Center’s Black Comic Book Festival in Harlem. He is cofounder and organizer of…
The C-U Black & African Arts Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Champaign-Urbana and Central Illinois community with a rich, culturally diverse experience. Our mission is…
Read More from Champaign-Urbana Black & African Arts Festival Kick-Off
The C-U Black & African Arts Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Champaign-Urbana and Central Illinois community with a rich, culturally diverse experience. Our mission is…
Read More from Champaign-Urbana Black & African Arts Festival (Main Event)
The Special Educational Opportunities Program, commonly referred to as Project 500, was designed by the University of Illinois in 1968 to ensure equality of educational access and opportunities for all students, including those from underrepresented or disadvantaged communities. In 1967, fewer than 400 of the university’s approximately 30,400 students were Black. The program was the University’s response to demands from students and community residents, led by the Black Students Association and fueled by the community’s response to the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., to recruit and enroll more Black students. The first Project 500 cohort in 1968 had 565 students, most of whom were Black, though some Hispanic and Native American students also enrolled in the program.
Read More from Special Educational Opportunities Program (also known as Project 500)
…Black JOY visible in our communities and museum spaces. The project celebrates the beauty, joy, and resilience of Black women and girls and their lived experiences during COVID-19 and the…
Read More from The Black Joy Project: Public Launch Celebration
In partnership with the City of Urbana, the Jettie Rhodes Neighborhood Committee is excited to invite you to join us for the 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jettie Rhodes Neighborhood…
Read More from 26th Annual MLK Jettie Rhodes Neighborhood Day
The Park and Center are named for the great African American orator and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. In 1941, the Douglass Community Service Committee began an effort to raise funds for a new complex, to be built on two empty lots. Ground broke in 1944 and the Center was completed in 1946. The Center held classes in art, music, and sewing, among other activities. Athletics included adult softball, baseball, basketball, track, and tennis. The Center hosted many social events. One of the groups that brought national recognition to the Center was its Drum and Bugle Corps and Drill Team. In 1975, 200 residents protested the decision by the Park Board to demolish the old Douglass Center and replace it with a new gym. The group advocated for the old Center to be replaced with a new, full-service, comprehensive Center. After much discussion between the community and the Park Board, the “old” Center was torn down and a new Center was constructed. It opened on December 12, 1976. In March 1978, the Douglass Annex opened with a focus on senior citizens, and in 1997 the Douglass Branch Library moved into its current site.
…Literacy workshop, Combat Hate, utilizes tablet computers and teach students how to identify and analyze propaganda and harmful media. The goal of MMOT’s workshops is for participants to see the…
…welcomed with new challenges like segregation. IMC webpage: https://www.ucimc.org/cleveland Open Hours Come by for a tour, visit the art gallery, read a zine in the zine library, use a public…
…open at 4:00pm Community Choir begins TBD Featured Keynote Speaker – Rev. BJ Tatum During the ceremony, three community members will be honored with prestigious awards in recognition of…
Read More from Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration
…Switzerland (2019) and PRAISE N PAY IT/ PULL UP, COME INTO THE RISE, South London Gallery, London, (2018). Shenece was recently commissioned to make a new work in response to…
Read More from Shenece Oretha with Blair Ebony Smith | Artist Performance Lecture
…don’t have them, we will work on bios and take photos during the session) Be ready to make selections for competition areas. New applications will be available to complete –…
Located at 401 E. Park Street in Champaign, Bethel A.M.E. Church is the oldest African American led church in Champaign County. It was organized in 1863 and predates the establishment of the University of Illinois. During the early part of the century when segregation was a fact of life, Bethel established a library and had a church orchestra. The church served as a meeting place for Black students attending the University of Illinois, establishing monthly lyceum meetings where students and members of the congregation came together for lectures, discussions, debates, and musical performances. In 1915 it was the site of the founding of the Twin Cities Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Spiritual, community and educational development have continued to be a mission for the church.
Dr. Hector Adames and Dr. Nayeli Chavez-Dueñas will be presenting a public Zoom lecture titled, Joy is Our Superpower: Healing and Therapy with Communities of Color. This is part of…
Read More from Joy is Our Superpower: Healing and Therapy with Communities of Color
The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center and Illinites Present the “Just Joy Black History Month Comedy Show” on Friday, February 17. Doors open at 8 p.m. The show…
The Dr. Ellis Subdivision is the third single-family subdivision created for African Americans in Champaign-Urbana after Carver Park in 1951 and Crispus Attucks Place in 1953. The subdivision was developed by John Goodell of Goodell Engineering and built in three phases, from 1961-1966. It was originally just outside city limits on undeveloped farmland. Today, the subdivision is located in Urbana, IL, in what is considered the historically African American North End neighborhood.
…Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee, MLK County-wide Committee, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. For additional questions or to…
…X Mid-Atlantic talk on blackface minstrelsy was posted on Ted.com and has appeared in several documentaries including Rosenwald (2012) and the Unladylike episode on Gladys Bentley (2018). She just completed…
Read More from Musical Crossroads: Interpreting the Material Culture of African American Music
African Americans from Champaign County fought bravely, and died, in World War I. Those who served did so with courage, honor, and distinction. Many of those who returned home found community and services at the William F. Earnest American Legion Post 559. Originally located at Fifth and Hill Streets, the Post is now located at 704 N. Hickory in Champaign. It was chartered in 1932 by African American World War I veterans and named for a fallen comrade who was a University of Illinois student-athlete from Homer, Illinois. Earnest served as a sergeant in the all-Black 370th Infantry Regiment from Illinois. One of the columns at Memorial Stadium also bears his name. The founding members of Post 559 were Clifford Caldwell, Robert H. Earnest (brother of William F. Earnest), Dr. L.P. Diffay, Dr. Henry Ellis, Alvin Foxwell, Raymond Hines, Thomas Macklin, Cecil D. Nelson, and George Ray.
…still as powerful and relevant as it was when first delivered. In honor of Black History Month, the Urbana Park District is asking the community to submit paper quilt squares…
The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library invites the community to The Blaxtravaganza, a series of events highlighting the research, creativity, and brilliance of Black professors on the University of Illinois…
The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library invites the community to The Blaxtravaganza, a series of events highlighting the research, creativity, and brilliance of Black professors on the University of Illinois…
The C-U Black & African Arts Festival mission is to expose and give a culturally diverse experience to the Champaign-Urbana, IL community by expressing both Black and African heritage. This…
Everybody has stories to tell, and we’d love to hear yours. In connection with the ongoing Black Joy Project at the Spurlock Museum, we invite members of the community to…
The C-U Black & African Arts Festival mission is to expose and give a culturally diverse experience to the Champaign-Urbana, IL community by expressing both Black and African heritage. This…
…a series of short videos on select topics in local African American history that can help showcase some of these stories and perspectives. #1: Frederick Douglass’ Visit to Champaign https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEHNnf74TcQ…
Read More from Champaign County African American Heritage Trail Video Series
Come out to celebrate and support CU’s youth! The program is full of performances by local artists and DREAAMers….
Read More from Let Our Light Shine: Black History Month Youth Celebration
…and our community partners have created a space to connect with one another and support the observance of Juneteenth through local art, poetry, and history. This event is free to…
Albert R. Lee was born on June 26, 1874, on a farm outside of Champaign, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois in 1894, and in 1895 he became the second African American hired at the university. He started as a messenger, but then became the clerk for the Office of the President. Lee served under six university Presidents. At a time when African Americans were not allowed to live on campus, he took it upon himself to assist them with housing and maneuvering through school, becoming known as the unofficial Dean of African American Students.
In the 1960s, after realizing that their children were not receiving an equal education at James Wellen Hays Elementary School, neighbors Carlos and Willeta Donaldson, Paul and Shirley Hursey, Jo Ann Jackson, and Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood (then known as Evelyn Burnett), formed the Hays School Neighborhood Association. They lived in the Dr. Ellis Subdivision—the first subdivision of single-family homes in Urbana developed for African Americans—and met, researched, and strategized about meeting with the Urbana School Board to address educational disparities for African American children and advocate for school integration. These neighbors became known as the Ellis Drive Six.
…Wu-Tang Clan told you that tears come after laughter. Relief comes only from opening every emotional and psychological wound. Open Mike Eagle spent the 2010s finding comedy in rap music…
…campus and community partners in recognizing the power of community action and civic engagement as local partners and students convene to honor the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. vision…
Read More from Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Reflection & Service
…and refreshments, fishing, UrVANa Mobile Recreation Unit games and activities, community resources, and more as we celebrate Black freedom and achievements in Urbana and beyond. Sunday, June 16, 2024 01:00…
Read More from Juneteenth Celebration (Urbana Park District)
Make your day off count! Join the Museum of the Grand Prairie as we explore the rich cultural heritage of the African American community in Champaign County on this Martin…
The Inauguration Celebration for Urbana Poet Laureate Ja Nelle Davenport-Pleasure is from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, February 26, 2023 at the Spurlock Museum. There will be poetry readings, music…
Read More from Inauguration Celebration for Urbana Poet Laureate Ja Nelle Davenport-Pleasure
Presented in partnership with The City of Champaign, The City of Urbana, Campus-Community Compact To Accelerate Social Justice, and Champaign Community Coalition – Walk As One In February 2023, the…
Read More from Understanding the State of Illinois’ Black Business Survey
Skelton Park, a pocket park at the corner of N. First Street and E. Washington Street, is designed to pay homage to Champaign County's history of locally, nationally, and internationally recognized African American musicians.
The Douglass Center Library was organized in 1970 to serve both Urbana and Champaign, a joint project of the two cities’ libraries, Lincoln Trail Libraries System, and the Champaign Park District. The Library was named for Frederick Douglass, the American abolitionist and journalist who escaped from slavery and became an influential lecturer — including at least one stop in Champaign.
…preserving the essence of jazz for generations to come. Come celebrate Black History Month at this special performance. The Library is committed to making programs accessible for all. If you…
…safety, a return of long-forgotten diseases, and the profit-making machine that runs the medical industry. Written by singer, composer, and producer Toshi Reagon in collaboration with her mother, Dr. Bernice…
Read More from Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower (Krannert Center for the Performing Arts)
…safety, a return of long-forgotten diseases, and the profit-making machine that runs the medical industry. Written by singer, composer, and producer Toshi Reagon in collaboration with her mother, Dr. Bernice…
Read More from Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower (Krannert Center for the Performing Arts)
…Black community, to “amplify Black voices, music, and culture throughout central Illinois.” We are proud to partner with Illinois Soul in their important mission. Come enjoy a free pre-performance reception…
…offers great exposure to the community. Celebrate the Chambana community with us! Enjoy live music, tasty food, children’s activities, senior activities, and more! Friday, August 11, 2023 – 5-8p Saturday,…
…Rotary Foundation, are working on an ambitious plan to transform Skelton Park (101 E. Washington Street, Champaign) into a state-of the-art park, community plaza, performance space, and play area as…
…offers great exposure to the community. Celebrate the Chambana community with us! Enjoy live music, tasty food, children’s activities, senior activities, and more! Friday, August 11, 2023 – 5-8p Saturday,…
MacArthur “Genius” award-winner Kyle Abraham brings his unique choreography and internationally renowned dance company, A.I.M, to perform a repertory of new and exciting works for Urbana Champaign audiences. Considered “one…
Read More from A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham Presents Repertory Works
…and previously programmed for the Brooklyn Academy of Music. ABOUT THE HIGH DESERT A Memoir by James Spooner From James Spooner, the creator of Afro-Punk, comes a stunning graphic memoir…
Read More from Screening of Afro-Punk and Conversation with Director James Spooner
President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. For many years afterward, in or around September, African Americans would congregate at parks and other community spaces for Emancipation Day celebrations. These celebrations were held in Champaign, Homer, Tolono, Sidney, and other parts of Champaign County. Celebrations often included food, music, and dancing.
Join Parkland College for RACE Talks: Thursday, February 16 Noon–12:50 pm Room U140 Facilitators: Donna Tanner-Harold, Counseling Services (retired), and Dr. Marsh Jones, Social Sciences and Human Services…
Join Parkland College for a panel discussion on race: Monday, February 20 10–10:50 am Room U140…
“Dress Codes and Other Exclusionary Practices in Urban Nightlife” Wednesday, February 22 Noon–12:50 pm Room U140 Dr. May, the Florian Znaniecki Professorial Scholar and Sociology department head at the University…
Walking with My Ancestors: Cape Coast Castle (2019), the award-winning and nationally recognized performance piece, is about a mother’s search for guidance from the spirits of her ancestors in the…
Read More from Walking With My Ancestors: Cape Coast Castle by Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum
Join the Bethel A.M.E. Church by reading excerpts from the works of your favorite Black writers! Sunday, February 4, at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church (401 E. Park Street,…
Read More from Bethel A.M.E. Church: National African American Read-In
…in 2019 to “recognize a resident poet who honors and serves our diverse community and elevates the importance of the creative writing art form.” The program includes a youth component…
…between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday, December 3. This event is free and open to the public. Pictured is Black Santa from 2019. Event organized by Buy Black Chambana: https://www.facebook.com/buyblackchambana/…
In the fall of 1969, the University of Illinois’ Afro-American Cultural Program opened on campus to provide a safe space for Black students to gather and grow, to help Black students feel proud and welcome, and to educate the campus community about the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans. The Program was created in response to the Project 500 protest in September 1968, in which Black students demonstrated against inequitable treatment by the University. In 2004, the University rededicated the space as the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, named after a former director of the center.
Read More from The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center
…complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white-her complexion is dark because she is African American. The Personal Librarian tells the story of…
Be part of the history. Support the Trail. Bricks for the transformed Skelton Park: Order a commemorative 8” x 8” brick and inscribe up to five lines of text for…
…committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com. The Library is committed to making programs accessible for all. If you need an accommodation to attend a program,…
…the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com. The Library is committed to making programs accessible for all….
Community members are invited to attend the 38th Annual Unity Breakfast sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign…
North First Street Corridor is the oldest business district in Champaign, dating to the 1850s. A triangular area that originally included East Main Street, University Avenue, and the first two blocks of North First Street, it bordered an integrated working-class neighborhood called Germantown.
The impact of poverty in any community can be both devastating and hastening. It is a reality for many individuals and families; it’s difficult to truly understand poverty unless you…
Read More from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, School of Social Work Poverty Simulation
In 1951, African American civic leader Charles Phillips saw a need for quality single-family housing in the Black Community. So, he put together a “grass roots” coalition of friends and acquaintances to buy ten acres of farmland and hired developer Ozier-Weller Homes. Each family put up $350.00 to develop the 70-home subdivision named after African American scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. It was Champaign-Urbana’s first subdivision financed and built by African Americans.
…Johnson. A Chicago native, Syleena Johnson is one of the most visible R&B vocalists touring today. Her sultry voice, combined with her timeless beauty, classic style, and piercing delivery has…
Read More from Krannert Uncorked with Syleena Johnson – Special Juneteenth Celebration
Get ready to celebrate the vibrant Chambana community as Champaign-Urbana Days approaches! Join the Champaign Park District for this cherished 30+ year tradition, as we come together to honor our…
Get ready to celebrate the vibrant Chambana community as Champaign-Urbana Days approaches! Join the Champaign Park District for this cherished 30+ year tradition, as we come together to honor our…
The first Black Greek letter organizations began in the early 1900s when African American students were excluded from dormitories (as was the case at the University of Illinois), study groups and social organizations at predominantly white institutions. Often ostracized, Black students began to organize themselves for mutual academic and social support. As these organizations evolved, they developed the values of scholarship, friendship, service, leadership, and philanthropy. Today, all nine historically Black sororities and fraternities have chapters, commonly known as the “Divine 9,” on the University of Illinois’ campus. Two of the earliest Black Greek organizations, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, were the first such organizations on the University’s campus to provide housing for their chapter members. The first residence for Alpha Kappa Alpha (Gamma House) was located at 1201 W. Stoughton in Urbana and the first home for Kappa Alpha Psi was at 707 S. Third Street, in Champaign.
The young women pictured on the steps in 1915 are members of the Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority which was established at the University in 1914.
Read More from The Presence of the “Divine 9” at the University of Illinois
…dance, dance! You can connect with the staff of Illinois Soul, as well! All Krannert Center Uncorked events are absolutely FREE. Come join the party! For more information, visit: https://krannertcenter.com/events/krannert-center-uncorked-illinois-soul…
…dance, dance! You can connect with the staff of Illinois Soul, as well! All Krannert Center Uncorked events are absolutely FREE. Come join the party! For more information, visit: https://krannertcenter.com/events/krannert-center-uncorked-illinois-soul-1…
Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States, is one event you don’t want to miss. Enjoy music and visit different vendors while learning…
Read More from Juneteenth Celebration at Douglass Park (Champaign)
…Moxie Events. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://thevirginia.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=909 FEATURING WINE AND BEER SERVICE IN OUR EAST LOBBY The Champaign Park District is proud to welcome Farren’s Pub & Eatery to…
…music that appeals to old and young alike. The band’s positive messages are designed to inspire people and build community, both locally and globally. Meet the Band Pete ‘Afro D’…
Read More from UFLive! presents Afro D & the Global Soundwaves
…has written for Time.com and the LA Review of Books, and shared her expertise on the History Channel, Al Jazeera America, Vox.com, NPR, and international radio outlets including the BBC…
Harriet J. Lawhead School, built in 1907, was a small, four-room building. During its early years, it served German and Italian immigrants in the neighborhood. As African Americans moved into the area, the school was integrated for a period of time, but by the 1940s it was attended only by Black students. White children who lived in the area were sent to Columbia School. During World War II, two rooms in the basement of the school were used as a Servicemen’s Club, organized by community members for African American soldiers who were not welcomed in the USO at Chanute Field. The school was closed in 1952, prior to the opening of the new Booker T. Washington School and razed in 1990. It is now a parking lot.
The Black & Latinx Summit (BLS) is an annual forum for individuals who are interested in and/or committed to learning and growing their understanding and capacity around solidarity. The summit…
…Musical styles come and go, but there’s one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage, and wisdom from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given…
…programs combined to serve children of the community. Students from local schools and home school programs participate in our Saturday ensemble to further their musical development. The Library is committed…
Read More from Music with Banks, Bridgewater, & Lewis Fine Arts Academy
…Arts. The chorus will be conducted by Ollie Watts Davis. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, January 25, at 10 a.m., online only. More information is available here: https://krannertcenter.com/events/ui-black-chorus-0. …
…a friend! DETAILS Date: February 24 Day: Friday Time: 1-3p Fee (M/NM): Free/$3 Location: Douglass Annex Deadline: Must register by February 17. Visit https://champaignparks.com/event/50-plus-black-history-soul-food-potluck-3/ for more details. ORGANIZER Robert White…
Come join us and see history come to life with our final event in the 16th Annual Lincoln Lecture Series! The theme of this year’s series is “Voices of Our…
Read More from 16th Annual Lincoln Lecture Series — Voices of Our Past: Sojourner Truth
More detail forthcoming! Learn more by visiting: https://krannertcenter.com/events/ui-black-chorus-0…
…of the same name to the screen. For tickets, visit the Virginia Theatre’s website here: https://thevirginia.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=900 THE ARTHOUSE EXPERIENCE Film Series Described as limited-release, high-quality titles that have captured the…
Please register here (https://form.jotform.com/223406851908964) for a virtual talk by Kumasi J. Barnett, presented in conjunction with In Blackest Shade, In Darkest Light exhibition at Giertz Gallery at Parkland College and…
…an intentional understanding of the traumas that communities of color in the United States have faced both historically and contemporarily. It is also cognizant of the strides we take each…
…Chicago Tribune, host of the Society for American Baseball Research’s (SABR) monthly interview series “Ballpark Figures,” and a member of the Negro Leagues and Teams Committee, a special committee convened…
Read More from Sporting Publics Symposium | Conversation with Shakeia Taylor
…Summerville (1944-2017), she describes him as Urbana-Champaign-University of Illinois’ unique musical and spiritual force who brought people together through song and service to the community. She wrote, Mr. Summerville graduated…
Read More from Willie Summerville: A Life of Music, Faith, and Service
…back often as we continue to share history as it is uncovered in the community. Points of Pride are categorized by Visual Arts, Community, Education, Military, Government, and Social Life….
…enthusiasm with people throughout the state, enabling local nonprofit organizations to present free-admission cultural programs to their communities. The Library is committed to making programs accessible for all. If you…
…community in Champaign County. Note: Trail stops with a physical location will include this icon next to their title below. Please note that some of these locations will have markers…
…to community in all its forms.” [Kirkus Reviews] Books will be available to purchase at the reading. This event is generously funded by The Urbana Free Library Foundation. The Library…
Read More from Francesca T. Royster Discussion & Book Signing
Generations of Black entrepreneurs ran successful businesses in the Champaign-Urbana area. One of the earliest examples is General Cass Lee, who in 1885 owned a six-chair barbershop at 127 Main Street where he served judges, lawyers, and others who frequented the county courthouse. Over the following decades, and up to today, many other Black business owners would find success in this community. One of the most notable success stories is that of Shelton Laundry.
Activist-artist-educator Dr. Amira Davis joins The Urbana Free Library for this special event on Black Motherhood. This program will be a combination performance and presentation based on Davis’ book, Jalimusa:…
Read More from Jalimusa: An Epic Tale of Black Women’s Mothering
…of our local students through essay, poems, and art. Sponsored by the College of Education, and the 2023 MLK Commemorative Planning Committee. For additional information contact Victor H. Perez, vhperez@illinois.edu….
Read More from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. K-12 Creative Expressions Contest
Join other community members for a walk celebrating peace. The walk will begin and end at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Parking is available at King School and along Wascher…
The historic colonnades that grace the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium, dedicated in 1924, bear the names of Illinois students who died in World War I. One of those students was William Frank Earnest, the first African American from Champaign County to die in the war.
…to make meaningful connections with the extended family he never knew existed. A thoughtful meditation on biracial identity, intimacy, and finding true community; MY LIFE IN THE SUNSHINE upends our…
…necessary tools to become president? Will Jabari learn to take these lessons back into his own life and heal his community? Using rap, freedom songs, hip hop dance, history, and…
Read More from Jabari Dreams of Freedom (Krannert Center Youth Series)
…necessary tools to become president? Will Jabari learn to take these lessons back into his own life and heal his community? Using rap, freedom songs, hip hop dance, history, and…
Read More from Jabari Dreams of Freedom (Krannert Center Youth Series)
…necessary tools to become president? Will Jabari learn to take these lessons back into his own life and heal his community? Using rap, freedom songs, hip hop dance, history, and…
Read More from Jabari Dreams of Freedom (Krannert Center Youth Series)
…necessary tools to become president? Will Jabari learn to take these lessons back into his own life and heal his community? Using rap, freedom songs, hip hop dance, history, and…
Read More from Jabari Dreams of Freedom (Krannert Center Youth Series)
…necessary tools to become president? Will Jabari learn to take these lessons back into his own life and heal his community? Using rap, freedom songs, hip hop dance, history, and…
Read More from Jabari Dreams of Freedom (Krannert Center Youth Series)
…necessary tools to become president? Will Jabari learn to take these lessons back into his own life and heal his community? Using rap, freedom songs, hip hop dance, history, and…
Read More from Jabari Dreams of Freedom (Krannert Center Youth Series)
…fitness instructor. As a Road Scholar, she provides historical education through engaging live presentations to create awareness, growth, and inspiration for Illinois communities. This event is co-sponsored by the Illinois…
Read More from Quilts: Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad
…University. A curator, educator, and social justice activist who specializes in American art and visual culture, her scholarly commitment to the investigation of anti-blackness within those fields has demonstrated how…
…frontman of the number one funk band in the Midwest, Dexter O’Neal and The Funk Yard. Dexter is pure excitement and an explosive talent. Come prepared for an amazing experience….
Read More from Krannert Center Uncorked with Dexter O’Neal and the Funk Yard
…competence requirement for licensure* This event will interrogate discourses around the psychosocial construct of resilience and explore its potentially negative impact on Black women’s mental health and wellbeing through research,…
…18, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. Enjoy music, food and refreshments, fishing, Urvana Mobile Recreation Unit games and activities, community resources, and more as we celebrate Black freedom, culture, contributions, and achievements…
Read More from Juneteenth Celebration at Crystal Lake Park (Urbana)
Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States, is one event you don’t want to miss. At Douglass Park, enjoy music and visit different…
Read More from Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration (Champaign Park District)
…Competition–the Olympics of classical music–fast approaching, his prized family heirloom is stolen. Ray is determined to get it back. But now his family and the descendants of the man who…
…other. So much so, they regularly planned trips to come home on the same weekends, and outside of time spent with their family and dating, they enjoyed all their summers…
The Champaign County African American Heritage Trail is a community-driven and volunteer-led effort to preserve, share, and celebrate local African American history. We would love to hear from you if…
…church (which is how they first met), and while they each attended different colleges, they never lost touch with each other. So much so, they regularly planned trips to come…
Located west of Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Mount Hope Cemetery (611 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Champaign, IL) was plotted and internment began in 1856. Sitting on the dividing line between the two cities, it’s the oldest operating cemetery in Champaign-Urbana. Throughout its 150 years, it has been the final resting place for many local African Americans and their families, including most of those who fought in the Civil War. The majority of these veterans were buried in what was the Grand Army of the Republic’s (G.A.R.) section, now known as the “old” veteran's section, found as you enter the cemetery. It is represented by the Civil War Memorial and a 32-pound canon built in 1851. However, many of the original markers no longer exist for many of these and other Civil War veterans, or they were moved to other locations in the cemetery.
African Americans veterans from various wars including World War I and II are also buried in this section.
Read More from African American Civil War Burials and Mt. Hope Cemetery