Battle of the Books

Champaign Public Library - Main Library 200 W. Green St., Champaign, IL

Students in grades 3 to 5 can celebrate Black History Month by challenging their book knowledge in the Champaign Public Library's 18th annual Battle of the Books. Find copies of the required books at the Douglass Branch and Main Library. Every participant will receive a prize book. Teams can have up to 12 students. Contact

The Royale

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL

A play by Marco Ramirez and directed by Tyrone Phillips. Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of

Inauguration Celebration for Urbana Poet Laureate Ja Nelle Davenport-Pleasure

Spurlock Museum 600 S. Gregory, Urbana, IL

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 by the New Souls, and other information about future Poet Laureate programming. The event is free and open to the public. Inauguration Celebration Spurlock Museum 600 S Gregory

Dan Duster Presentation

Parkland College 2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign, IL

"Make Your Own Legacy Matter" February 28 11–11:50 am Room D244 A motivational speaker, coach, and trainer for schools and corporations, Duster is the great-grandson of legendary journalist, civil rights and suffrage activist, and researcher Ida B. Wells.

The Royale

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL

A play by Marco Ramirez and directed by Tyrone Phillips. Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of

Blaxstravaganza: Reading by Professor David Wright Faladé

University of Illinois, Main Library 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Room 220, Urbana, IL

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 Urbana-Champaign campus March 2-8. All events are free and open to the public. David Wright Faladé Professor, Department of English Reading from Black Cloud Rising

The Royale

A play by Marco Ramirez and directed by Tyrone Phillips. Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of

The Royale

A play by Marco Ramirez and directed by Tyrone Phillips. Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of

Blaxtravaganza: Alexandra Barbier and “Stations of Black Loss – Work(s) in Progress”

University of Illinois, Main Library 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Room 220, Urbana, IL

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 Urbana-Champaign campus March 2-8. All events are free and open to the public. Alexandra Barbier Postdoctoral research Associate, Department of Dance Stations of Black Loss

The Royale

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL

A play by Marco Ramirez and directed by Tyrone Phillips. Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of

Blaxtravaganza: Table Reading with Courtney Becks

Levis Faculty Center 919 W. Illinois St., Room 300, Urbana, IL

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 Urbana-Champaign campus March 2-8. All events are free and open to the public. Courtney Becks Assistant Professor, University Library The Socialization of Love Work-in-Progress Table

Blaxtravaganza: Reiko Huffman Presents “Scenic Design and the Process”

University of Illinois, Main Library 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Room 220, Urbana, IL

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 Urbana-Champaign campus March 2-8. All events are free and open to the public. Reiko Huffman Assistant Professor of Scenic Design, Department of Theatre Scenic Design

Blaxtravaganza: Interactive Design and the Black Spatial Imagery Workshop — Creating Black-Affirming Public Spaces

University of Illinois, Main Library 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Room 220, Urbana, IL

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 Urbana-Champaign campus March 2-8. All events are free and open to the public. Nekita Thomas Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, School of Art + Design

Blaxtravaganza: DJs N the Library

Music and Performing Arts Library 1114 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL

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 Urbana-Champaign campus March 2-8. All events are free and open to the public. La Fête DJs N the Library bla(CK)mau-aka Stacey Robinson, Chris Kinson, and

Speake Café: Black Herstory Slam!

Krannert Art Museum 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign, Illinois

Speak Café stands for Song, Poetry, Expression, Art, and Knowledge. It is an open-mic public performance space at Krannert Art Museum organized and hosted by local artist and poet, Shaya Robinson. Join Krannert Art Museum for SPEAK Café in the KAM Cafe this month for a showcase of poetry, spoken word, music, and artistic expression that

Un/Doing Lecture: “Black Freedom on Native Land: Reconsidering Reconstruction”

University of Illinois, Levis Faculty Center 919 W. Illinois St., Urbana, Illinois

The University of Illinois Human Research Institute and Department of History present the Un/Doing Lecture, "Black Freedom on Native Land: Reconsidering Reconstruction," by Dr. Alaina E. Roberts from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Roberts describes her research interests as focusing on the intersection of Black and Native American history from the nineteenth century to the

Table Talk Book Club: Sister Friends Forever

Champaign Public Library - Douglass Branch 504 E. Grove St., Champaign, IL

Join the Champaign Public Library's casual monthly get-togethers to talk about books by contemporary African American writers. New members are welcome; call 217/403-2090 for more information. On March 14, 2023, the book club will discuss Sister Friends Forever by Kimberla Lawson Roby. "Diane, Michelle, Kenya, and Lynette have known each other since they were small

Celebrating Gwendolyn Brooks: A Workshop for Young Poets

University of Illinois’ Rare Books and Manuscripts Library 1408 W. Gregory Dr., Room 346, Urbana, IL

The University of Illinois Rare Books and Manuscripts Library and Illinois Humanities welcome students in grades 5-8 for an afterschool celebration of poetry and the life Gwendolyn Brooks. Participants will examine materials that belonged to Gwendolyn Brooks (including a spice box filled with keys!) and write poetry using her words and their own imaginations. If you love

Ann Johnson: Converse & Real Talk

Krannert Art Museum 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign, Illinois

Join us for a School of Art & Design Visitors Series talk by artist Ann Johnson on April 6, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. The talk will be held in the lower level auditorium of the Krannert Art Museum (500 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign). Reflecting on her 2022 Lawndale Contemporary Art Center installation See Me, Ann “Sole