The Black Joy Project

Spurlock Museum 600 S. Gregory, Urbana, IL

Running from February 2 through December 1, 2024, the Black Joy Project aims to make an unprecedented celebration of Black JOY visible in our communities and museum spaces. The project

Krannert Center Uncorked with Soft Spoken

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

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,

GOSPEL: WHERE SONG AND SERMON MEET

Virginia Theatre 203 W. Park Ave., Champaign, IL

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

Everybody’s Got a Story

Spurlock Museum 600 S. Gregory, Urbana, IL

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,

UFLive! presents Reginald Lewis and Friends

Urbana Free Library 201 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL

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

Willie Summerville: A Life of Music, Faith, and Service

Sousa Archives & Center for American Music 1103 S 6th St, Champaign, IL

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

Krannert Center Uncorked with Haki N’ Dem

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

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

From Illinois to the Moon: The Life and Legacy of George R. Carruthers

Electrical and Computer Building 306 N. Wright Street, Urbana, IL

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

Battle of the Books | Black History Month

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

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

Black History Month Show at Boomerangs

Boomerangs Bar & Grill 1309 E. Washington St., Urbana, IL

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

Krannert Center Uncorked with Nadirah Shakoor

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

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

Interseminars | Kameelah Janan Rasheed

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

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

Sporting Publics Symposium | Panel with Louis Moore, Daniel Nasset

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

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)

Sporting Publics Symposium | Conversation with Shakeia Taylor

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

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,

MLK March for Peace

King Park 915 W. Wascher Dr., Urbana, IL

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

Nurtured in Nature in Spring! Homer Lake

Salt Fork Center, Homer Lake 1229 Flicker Drive, Homer, IL

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

Crafty Adults | Black Out Poetry

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

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

A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham Presents Repertory Works

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

MacArthur "Genius" award-winner Kyle Abraham brings his unique choreography and internationally renowned dance company, A.I.M, to perform a repertory of new and exciting works for Urbana Champaign audiences. Considered “one

OPEN MIKE EAGLE w/ $imba P & A$AVV

Canopy Club 708 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL

9pm doors / 10pm show w/ $imba P & A$AVV Purchase tickets here: https://canopyclub.com/event/open-mike-eagle/red-room/ Humor can conceal and alleviate the pain of trauma, but no joke will erase it. Even Wu-Tang Clan told

Urbana Poet Laureate Celebration

Spurlock Museum 600 S. Gregory, Urbana, IL

This year, the 2024 Poet Laureate is none other than one of the Black Joy Project curators, Ruby Mendenhall, and the Spurlock Museum is proud to host a poetry-writing workshop in

Juneteenth 2024: Reflections and Reverence Ceremony

Urbana City Hall 400 S. Vine St., Urbana, IL

The City of Urbana Office of Human Rights and Equity and the Juneteenth 2024 Committee enthusiastically announce an event in honor of the Juneteenth holiday! The event, “Juneteenth 2024: Reflections

MTD’s Juneteenth Block Party

Illinois Terminal 45 E. University Ave., Champaign, IL

Please join MTD for a Juneteenth Block Party on Friday, June 14, from 4:30pm to 7:30pm in the parking lot of Illinois Terminal in downtown Champaign. Black history is American

Pre-Juneteenth Celebration at Neil St. Blues

Neil St. Blues 301 N Neil St, Champaign, IL

Pre-Juneteenth Celebration at Neil St. Blues! Join us for an unforgettable night of music, food, and celebration as we kick off Juneteenth festivities early!  Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 Time: 10:00

Juneteenth Celebration (Urbana Park District)

Crystal Lake 206 W. Park St., Urbana, IL

All welcome to celebrate! Join Urbana Park District and The Urbana Free Library for a family friendly Juneteenth celebration at the Lake House in Crystal Lake Park! Enjoy music, food

Juneteenth Field Day at Colbert Park

Colbert Park 203 E. Church St., Savoy, IL

The celebration will take place at Dana Colbert Park, 203 E. Church St., in Savoy. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/421631033967257/?ref=newsfeed

Juneteenth Day Party at Neil St. Blues

It's that time again! Join Neil St. Blues for their annual Juneteenth Celebration! Juneteenth falls on a week day this year, but that don't stop the celebration! Featuring a full

Nurtured in Nature: Summer BIPOC Hiking Event

River Bend Forest Preserve Mahomet, IL

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

26th Annual MLK Jettie Rhodes Neighborhood Day

King Park 915 W. Wascher Dr., Urbana, IL

In partnership with the City of Urbana, the Jettie Rhodes Neighborhood Committee is excited to invite you to join us for the 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jettie Rhodes Neighborhood

Reflections Unveiled: A Journey Through Self-Portrait Poetry

Urbana Free Library 201 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL

Join The Urbana Free Library for an evening filled with heartfelt emotions, captivating poetry, and soulful movement. Delve into the essence of self-discovery in this special workshop led by Ja

Mobile Museum of Tolerance

Lincoln Square Mall 201 Lincoln Square, Urbana, IL

The purpose of the Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT) is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to promote human dignity by empowering them to raise their voices to

Champaign-Urbana Days

Douglass Park 804 N. Fifth Street, Champaign, IL

Get ready to celebrate the vibrant Chambana community as Champaign-Urbana Days approaches! Join the Champaign Park District for this cherished 30+ year tradition, as we come together to honor our

Champaign-Urbana Days

Douglass Park 804 N. Fifth Street, Champaign, IL

Get ready to celebrate the vibrant Chambana community as Champaign-Urbana Days approaches! Join the Champaign Park District for this cherished 30+ year tradition, as we come together to honor our

Champaign-Urbana Black & African Arts Festival Kick-Off

Rose Bowl 106 N. Race St., Urbana, IL

The C-U Black & African Arts Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Champaign-Urbana and Central Illinois community with a rich, culturally diverse experience. Our mission is

Champaign-Urbana Black & African Arts Festival (Main Event)

I Hotel & Conference Center 1900 S. 1st Street, Champaign, IL

The C-U Black & African Arts Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Champaign-Urbana and Central Illinois community with a rich, culturally diverse experience. Our mission is

SPEAK Café with CU BIPOC Artist Collective

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

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

Illinois Soul 1st Anniversary Celebration

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

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

Krannert Center Uncorked with Illinois Soul

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

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

Krannert Center Uncorked with Illinois Soul

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

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

UI Black Chorus

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

More detail forthcoming! Learn more by visiting: https://krannertcenter.com/events/ui-black-chorus-0