African American Heritage Trail

Illinois Soul 1st Anniversary Celebration
2025-02-01 17:30 - 2025-02-02 02:00 UTC | Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801
Everybody loves an anniversary, and we’re celebrating a big one: The first anniversary of Illinois Soul! In 2024, Illinois Public Media launched Illinois Soul, a new radio station serving the 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 in the Lobby at 5:30pm with R&B music, appetizers, cash bar, and giveaways, followed by a ticketed concert featuring a national recording artist. Happy Anniversary, Illinois Soul, and here’s to many more to come!
5:30p – Free Pre-Party @ Stage 5 ft. Dexter O’Neal and the Funk yard.
7:30pm – Ticket Loose Ends ft. Jane Eugene Concert in the Tryon Theatre.
10:00pm-2:00am – After party @ Neil Street Blues. Free admission with digital concert ticket or stub. Late night menu & Dj.

Paths of Progress: Uncovering the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail
2025-02-03 12:00 | University of Illinois, Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Room 220, Urbana, IL, 61801
Join us for our first hybrid webinar of the year! RSVP for the in-person event at the Main Library, Media Commons, by Friday, February 14 at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1456852862. This event will be accessible online via Zoom, register at https://go.library.illinois.edu/feb20bhm
A Special Presentation by Angela Rivers and Dr. Barbara Suggs-Mason with Archivist of Multicultural Collections and Services, Jessica Ballard-Lawrence.Join us for our first hybrid webinar of the year with an engaging presentation about the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail, a community-driven initiative that celebrates the rich history and lasting contributions of African Americans in the Champaign County area. The trail’s mission is to educate residents and visitors about these often-overlooked stories, while its broader vision seeks to inspire meaningful conversations, deepen cultural understanding, and promote a more inclusive society.
Angela Rivers and Dr. Barbara Suggs-Mason, who lead this volunteer-driven project, will join Ballard-Lawrence and share insights into their family’s deep roots in the community, the development of the trail, and the importance of making this experience accessible to all. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the trail’s impact and how it brings local history to life.Learn about the trail’s connection to the University Archives, where historical resources and collections have helped document and preserve the legacy of African American life at Illinois.
Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how local history and archival materials intersect to tell powerful stories that shape our present and future. Space is limited and registration is required. A Zoom link will be provided immediately after registration.If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in any of these programs/events, please let us know. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

DIY KIDS | BLACK HISTORY BINGO
2025-02-05 16:00 - 17:00 | Douglass Park, 804 N. Fifth 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.

Krannert Center Uncorked with Illinois Soul
2025-02-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801
Join Illinois Soul and Krannert Center as we celebrate Black History Month with Krannert Center Uncorked! Every Thursday in February, Krannert Center will showcase some of the best local and regional musicians on Stage 5 in the Krannert Center lobby. Connect with friends new and old, enjoy a beverage from the Stage 5 Bar, and dance, 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

SPEAK Cafe: February 2025
2025-02-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Krannert Art Museum, 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign, Illinois, 61820
SPEAK stands for Song, Poetry, Art and Knowledge. It is an open-mic public performance space at Krannert Art Museum curated by local artist, Shaya Robinson, featuring guest performers and welcoming all to the mic.

Certified Organic: Celebrating the Legacy of Black Music
2025-02-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Gallery Art Bar, 119 W. Main St., Urbana, IL
Certified Organic Celebrating the legacy of black music. Hosted by Aaron ‘Aplus’ Wilson | Music by Ther’Up.Y. Brought to you by Illinois Soul.

School of Social Work Immersive Simulated Experience: Poverty and Service
2025-02-07 13:00 - 15:30 | UIUC School of Social Work, 1010 W. Nevada, Urbana, IL
Step into the shoes of those facing financial hardships in our community with an immersive simulated experience. Acknowledging the profound impact of poverty, the School of Social Work, in collaboration with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Champaign Urbana Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites students, faculty, staff, and community members to participate in a unique event designed to provide a firsthand understanding of life under financial constraints.
During this “Immersive Simulated Experience,” participants will navigate the challenges of limited resources and heightened stress. The simulation encourages individuals to perceive poverty from various perspectives and fosters discussions on the potential for personal and community-driven change. These thought-provoking experiences are crafted to sensitize participants to the harsh realities of poverty, sparking a dialogue on the path toward positive transformation.

Black History Month Celebration at Research Park
2025-02-13 12:00 | Research Park, 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, IL, 61820
Professionals who work in the Research Park community are invited to celebrate Black History Month with us from 12-1pm on Thursday, February 13 at EnterpriseWorks. Barbara Suggs-Mason and Angela Rivers will be present on the Champaign County African-American Heritage Trail and how you can engage.
Lunch will be provided by Neil Street Blues. Research Park events are free; however, registration is required to ensure that we have adequate seating and food for all participants. Please contact Cathy McArthur at mcarthur@illinois.edu with any questions.

Creating Community: A History of African Americans in Champaign County
2025-02-18 13:30 - 2025-04-18 15:00 | 301 North Neil Street, Suite 201, 301 North Neil Street, Suite 201, Champaign, 61820, United States
Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month, “believed that history was made by the people, not simply or primarily by great men.” Historically, Champaign County has always had a vibrant Black community of people who lived lives of dignity and grace despite the barriers of segregation and racial prejudice that they encountered on a daily basis. The course will cover over 170 years of this community’s history. These men and women were self-reliant and self-made, determined to improve their lives and contribute to the betterment of the greater community. This is the story we will tell.
Instructors: Angela M. Rivers: An artist, educator, historian and museum professional, Angela Rivers spent over thirty-five years in teaching, supervisory, managerial, and consulting positions in museums and in the cultural arts arena in Texas, Central Illinois, and the Chicago area. Her experiences include, DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago, IL; Chicago History Museum; The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL; Art Institute of Chicago, Dallas Museum of Fine Art, Dallas, TX; and teaching African and African American Art at Eastern Illinois University.
Barbara Suggs-Mason, Ed.D. worked in public education in Illinois for over 37 years at every level as a teacher and administrator, and as an adjunct instructor at several Chicago area colleges and universities. A frequent presenter, she is a recipient of an Award of Merit from the Illinois State Board of Education for her work as a classroom teacher and retired as a Superintendent of Schools.
Both instructors grew up in Champaign, descending from family that moved to the county after the Civil War. Currently, they serve as co-chairs of the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail.

Rio Da Yung OG at The Canopy Club
2025-02-21 21:00 | Canopy Club, 708 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801
Rio Da Yung OG started making music with RMC Mike as a teenager, recording songs on a karaoke machine for him and his friends to listen to. Rio didn’t take rap seriously until his idol Team Eastside Peezy encouraged him to and proved that rap made money, he said in an interview with No Jumper.

Krannert Center Uncorked with Illinois Soul
2025-02-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801
Join Illinois Soul and Krannert Center as we celebrate Black History Month with Krannert Center Uncorked! Every Thursday in February, Krannert Center will showcase some of the best local and regional musicians on Stage 5 in the Krannert Center lobby. Connect with friends new and old, enjoy a beverage from the Stage 5 Bar, and dance, 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

UI Black Chorus
2025-04-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801
More detail forthcoming! Learn more by visiting: https://krannertcenter.com/events/ui-black-chorus-0
