Alexis Pauline Gumbs is a Queer Black Troublemaker and Black Feminist Love Evangelist and an aspirational cousin to all sentient beings. Her work in this lifetime is to facilitate infinite, unstoppable ancestral love in practice. Her poetic work in response to the needs of her cherished communities have held space for multitudes in mourning and movement. Alexis’s co-edited volume of Revolutionary

Archivist Steven Booth joins the RBML virtually to discuss the Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) archive: acquired in 2019 by a consortium of philanthropic and cultural heritage organizations, the Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) Archive is co-owned by the Getty Research Institute (GRI) and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). Dating from 1942,

Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 2 p.m.  Join us as history comes to life with another event in the 16th Annual Lincoln Lecture Series! The theme of this year’s series is “Voices of Our Past'' and will feature first-person interpretations of African-American voices present during the life and times

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 Past'' and will feature first-person interpretations of African-American voices present during the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. Isabella Baumfree, better known as Sojourner Truth,

Join the Humanities Research Institute as book club members read Dark Princess, W. E. B. Du Bois' 1928 novel about an African American medical student's and an Indian Princess' struggle for freedom. Free books available! To participate, register her by November 5: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/408766198 Meeting time: Mondays at 6:00–7:00 P.M., October 9–December 11 Location: Douglass Branch Library - Douglass

Urbana Arts & Culture and The College of Fine and Applied Arts invite all Champaign-Urbana BIPOC artists, creatives, makers, storytellers, and cultural bearers to connect and unwind with an evening of togetherness at Gallery Art Bar in Downtown Urbana. Join hosts Carolyn and Vivian from The College of Fine and Applied Arts and the Urbana

In this special presentation by Illinois Public Media, watch the second hour of the acclaimed four-hour documentary series THE BLACK CHURCH, followed by a live performance of gospel music and a post-film discussion panel with local Black preachers plus an audience Q & A. For many, it’s their house of worship. For some, it is an

Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration January 14, 2024 - 5:00 pm Martin Luther King Jr. at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana 61801 Doors open at 4:00pm Community Choir begins TBD Featured Keynote Speaker - Rev. BJ Tatum  ​ During the ceremony, three community members will be honored with

THE ARTHOUSE EXPERIENCE FILM SERIES Rated PG-13 98 Min Presented by Illinois Public Media, home of WILL-TV, WILL-AM, and WILL-FM. In 1920s New York City, a black woman finds her world up-ended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who's passing as white. Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut is a powerful drama that brings Nella

Opening Events 5:30 pm | Conversation with the artist Jen Everett and curators Blair Ebony Smith and Amy L. Powell in the Link Gallery 6 pm | Collage workshop with Siobhan McKissic, Visiting Design & Materials Research Librarian, Ricker Library of Architecture and Art in the KAM cafe 6:15 pm | DJ set with DJ lovenloops begins in the Link Gallery About Jen Everett: Could

The Black Joy Project launches February 2 with a celebratory reception of performance, food, and fellowship. About the Project The Black Joy Project aims to make an unprecedented celebration of 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

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, Champaign, IL 61820).

Learn about famous people, places, and events in Black History by making your own bingo card and playing together at our weekly do-it-yourself activity for kids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . DIY Kids! | February 2024 Wednesdays, 4:00 pm For more information, visit: https://champaign.org/event/diy-kids-black-history-bingo-9361427

Join Connie Martin to learn about pre-Civil War quilts, and the secrets they held. This event will be held on Zoom. Join Connie Martin as she tells the stories passed down to her great-grandmother Lizzie of how her family survived the antebellum period through trials and tribulations, and how they used quilts that contained hidden codes and

Presented in collaboration with Illinois Soul 101.1 FM in celebration of Black History Month. Dexter O’Neal is what happens when you add mesmerizing stage performances and a soulful sound. A Louisiana-born, Illinois-raised stick of dynamite! Dexter’s musical stylings have roots in gospel, blues, r&b, and early jazz traditions. He is the frontman of the number

NAACP Champaign County invites you to the Urbana Free Library for soul food dinner, inspiration, motivation, black history information, trivia and prizes. Students please bring photos & bios.  (If you 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

THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN features 15 power vocalists accompanied by a six-piece band that sends you on a journey through Motown's best, including: The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson and more! The show’s pitch-perfect harmonies, dynamic choreography, and costuming perfectly capture the sights and sound of Motown.

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,

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.