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

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

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 April 13, 2023, the book club will discuss Brighter by the Day by Robin Roberts. This will be a joint meeting with the library's other book clubs and

The University of Illinois Black Chorus will perform at the Krannert Center for Performing 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.  

Illinois Public Media invites you to News, Brews and Beatz 8 as we discuss parenting Black children and teens today. The public recording will be held on April 17 at the Pour Bros. Taproom (40 E. University Ave., Champaign) at 6:00 p.m. Topics we will cover: • “Old school” vs. “new school” parenting styles; •

Food for the Soul/Inside Scoop with Nikky Finney Sponsor Humanities Research Institute, hosted and cosponsored by the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center Location Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center Date Apr 19, 2023   12:00 pm Speaker Nikky Finney Contact Humanities Research Institute E-Mail info-hri@illinois.edu Food for the Soul/Inside Scoop lunch with

CultureTalk | Nikky Finney and Ruth Nicole Brown Sponsor Cosponsored by the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the Center for Advanced Study, Spurlock Museum, and HRI Location Spurlock Museum, Knight Auditorium in person; livestream at go.illinois.edu/culturetalk Virtual Date Apr 19, 2023   7:30 pm Speaker Nikky Finney and

Join us for a School of Art & Design Visitors Series talk by award-winning artist and scholar John Jennings (MA ’95, MFA ’97). The talk will be held on April 20, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level auditorium of the Krannert Art Museum (500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign). John Jennings is an award-winning

Based on the novels Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler, this genre-defying work of political theatre featuring a powerhouse ensemble of 20 singers, actors, and musicians harnesses 200 years of Black music to give musical life to Butler’s acclaimed science fiction novels. Parable of the Sower, set in 2024 and published in 1993,

Based on the novels Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler, this genre-defying work of political theatre featuring a powerhouse ensemble of 20 singers, actors, and musicians harnesses 200 years of Black music to give musical life to Butler’s acclaimed science fiction novels. Parable of the Sower, set in 2024 and published in 1993,

Art gallery at Urbana-Champaign's Independent Media Center showcasing works by Marilynn Dean Cleveland. Some of the 1,778 pieces that Ms. Cleveland created are included in the gallery, which show how the nation transcended in terms of race. The artist's paintings tell the story of how Black people migrating after slavery made a living and searched

Join the Urbana Free Library for an online evening with two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward as she discusses how her literary vision & personal experiences address urgent questions about racism and social injustice. Two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward will discuss how her literary vision and personal experiences address urgent questions about

Gwendolyn Brooks’s Birthday Event Type Reception/Open House Sponsor The Rare Book & Manuscript Library Location 346 Main University Library, 1408 W. Gregory Dr. Date Jun 7, 2023   3:00 - 5:00 pm Contact Carrie Lingscheit E-Mail carriel@illinois.edu Come and celebrate the birthday of Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000), former Illinois Poet Laureate and the first African American writer to

Juneteenth Service/Celebration with Anchor Church Join Anchor Church for its 2nd annual Juneteenth Celebration on Sunday, June 11th at 5:00pm. They will have a special Juneteenth service with Rev. Lawrence Kirby and special music followed by food, bounce houses, water balloon games, and more! Food will be provided by Anchor Church, but we are also

Please join the City of Urbana at 12 p.m. on June 16, 2023, for the Juneteenth Flag Raising & Reverence Ceremony. The ceremony will be held directly in front of the City building located at 200 South Vine Street in Urbana.

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) will host a Juneteenth Block Party on Friday, June 16, from 5pm to 7pm outside at Illinois Terminal in downtown Champaign. To celebrate, MTD 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.

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 about this important holiday. Children can make arts and crafts, play on the bounce house and obstacle course, or get soaked in the Splash Pad.

It's almost that time of the year again. Juneteenth is slowly approaching! Join us for an electrifying Juneteenth celebration at Neil St Blues on Saturday, June 17th! As the doors swing open at 10pm, prepare to immerse yourself in a night filled with joy, history, and soulful tunes. This event commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African

Join the Urbana Park District and The Urbana Free Library for a family-friendly Juneteenth celebration at the Lakehouse in Crystal Lake Park! The event will take place on Sunday, June 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

Join in celebrating the freedom of African Americans at Colbert Park (203 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/

FREE Community Event! Food, Raffle & Prizes, Live Entertainment, Local Talent, Fun & Games, 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

Join historian and educator, Caroline Kisiel, for a history of the Illinois Black Codes, sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Speaker Bureau. This event will be held on Zoom. As the home of celebrated champions of freedom such as Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, it is often surprising for Illinoisans to learn about the long

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 IL Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) released results of its black business survey. This first-of-its-kind statewide Black Business Survey solicited information directly from black-owned