Join The Urbana Free Library for a celebration of blues, jazz, gospel, Rhythm & Blues, and soul music with young musicians from the Banks, Bridgewater & Lewis Fine Arts Academy! The mission of the Banks, Bridgewater & Lewis (BBL) Fine Arts Academy is to enhance the musical knowledge base of young musicians by providing meaningful supplementary curriculum utilizing the
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
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/
Presented in collaboration with Illinois Soul 101.1 FM in celebration of Black History Month. Bloomington based Soft Spoken covers a lot of musical territory: jazz, funk, R&B, soul, and blues, with the smooth jazz filter set on high. With Gary Muhammad, lead guitar/vocals; Mike Gardner, keys/bass/vocals; Myra Johnson, percussion; AJ Chinnery, drums; Kenny Johnson, bass
Dr. Barbara Suggs Mason and Angela Rivers of the African American Heritage Trail explore the 370th Infantry and Legion Post 559. The 370th Infantry Regiment was an all-Black unit that fought during World War 1. While the unit was headquartered in Chicago, it grew out of the 8th Infantry Regiment of the Illinois National Guard
THE ARTHOUSE EXPERIENCE FILM SERIES Rated N/R 60 min (approx.) From the blues to hip hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century. 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
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 share memories, legendary tales from family or friend groups, important moments…anything you wish to share or think others might like to hear. No age restrictions! Have you
Live music celebration of Black History Month. Reginald Lewis & Friends is a dynamic jazz ensemble led by saxophonist Reginald Lewis. Inspired by Philadelphia’s vibrant jazz scene, the group pays homage to the city's rich musical heritage while infusing their performances with a fresh and contemporary approach. Reginald Lewis is a composer, educator, and musician,
The Sousa Archives exhibit, “Willie Summerville: A Life of Music, Faith, and Service” opened at the School of Music lobby. In Kathya Alexander’s 2017 memorial essay to William “Willie” Thomas 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.
Presented in collaboration with Illinois Soul 101.1 FM in celebration of Black History Month. Haki N’ Dem (Demonstrators) is an exceptional R&B/soul group hailing from Champaign-Urbana and Chicago, led by the immensely talented young musician Haki (Drake Materre), who not only dazzles with his incredible vocals but also showcases his mastery of multiple instruments. Alongside
The Black and Latinx Summit is an annual conference and summit that seeks to bring students from all intersections into shared a space to learn and connect. This focus is 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
Professor Lara Waldrop will discuss her NASA research project, The Carruthers Geocorona Project. The name honors Dr. George R. Carruthers, a prominent, three-time Illinois alumnus. As one of the first African American men to earn a doctorate degree in astrophysics, Dr. George R. Carruthers is known as a trailblazer. He invented the camera that took
Students in grades 3 to 5 can celebrate Black History Month by challenging their book knowledge in our 19th 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 your school to
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 dungeons for enslaved Africans. The story takes the audience through a ritual journey that includes dance, music, and drama and leads to revelation, reconciliation, and rebirth. Walking
Join this celebration of Black history, 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.
Join us for ANCHOR - a free concert dedicated to the music, message, and movement of Black American Artists. This special evening is set to take place on Wednesday, February 28th, at the Smith Recital Hall, starting at 7:30 PM. Department of Dance Dr. C. Kemal Nance Lily Freebery Jade Lajeune Department of Theatre Lisa
Presented in collaboration with Illinois Soul 101.1 FM in celebration of Black History Month. The recipient of a Grammy nomination, an MTV Video Award, the 2005 Artist for a Better World award, and the 2006 Spirit of Youth award, Nadirah Shakoor is best known as the former lead female vocalist of acclaimed hip hop group
Come out to celebrate and support CU's youth! The program is full of performances by local artists and DREAAMers.
Kameelah Janan Rasheed (artist, educator, and writer, Cooper Union) will present an artist talk. This event is part of the Interseminars series for "Improvise and Intervene," supported by the Mellon Foundation. About the Speaker A learner, Kameelah Janan Rasheed (she/they), grapples with the poetics-pleasures-politics of Black knowledge production, information technologies, learning, and belief formation. They are a recipient of a 2022
Theresa Runstedtler (American Studies, American University) will be presenting, with Daniel Gilbert (Labor and Employment Relations, History) commenting. Part of the symposium Sporting Publics: History, Sports, and American Culture, which is taking place March 28–29, 2024. About the Speaker Theresa Runstedtler, PhD is an award-winning scholar of African American history whose research focuses on the intersection of race, masculinity,
Professor Louis Moore will speak about his book I Fight for a Living: Boxing and the Battle for Black Manhood, 1880-1915 (University of Illinois Press, 2017). Respondent Daniel Nasset (Editor-in-Chief, University of Illinois Press) will share the editor's perspective on turning one's idea into a book that speaks to sporting publics. Part of the symposium Sporting Publics: History, Sports, and American
Shakeia Taylor is a Chicago-based award-winning writer and storyteller, whose work focuses on the intersection of sports, history, and culture. She is currently a Deputy Senior Content Editor at the 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
The Urbana Park District is hosting the Martin Luther King Day Peace March on April 4, from 5:30 to 7pm. The march takes place on the 56th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s assassination. Originally scheduled for January 15th (King’s birthday), the event was postponed due to weather. The Peace March will now be on
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 members of Champaign County. Organized by the Nurtured in Nature team of Healthy Champaign County and led by Chicago-based non profit BPO Hikes guiding BIPOC community members
The Rare Book and Manuscript Library will be at the library to discuss blackout poetry and the Gwendolyn Brooks poetry collection. You'll then be able to try your own blackout poetry with upcycled book pages! Registration opens April 1 at 9:00 am (closes April 9). Registration is required. These workshops are very popular and "sell