Celebrate Black History Month in Chicago with events that enlighten and inspire. The rich history of African-Americans is one that is constantly being reshaped and retold. Learn more about the African-American experience through the arts, music, food, fashion, and community-led events taking place throughout the city of Chicago.
Black Creativity 2019
Sunday – Saturday | January 14th – February 24th | Time Varies
Museum of Science and Industry | 5700 S Lake Shore Dr. | Price Varies
The 2019 Black Creativity program, an annual staple at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI), since 1970, begins January 14 with the Juried Art Exhibition, the longest-running gallery of African-American art. The exhibition, the largest in the program’s history, features more than 170 works of art from professional and student artists, with past alumni including Chicago’s Harmonia Rosales and Hebru Brantley. Guests can explore these rich contributions through hands-on experiences that are included with Museum Entry, and free for Illinois residents most of January and February through the Museum’s Illinois resident free days. For more details, visit the website here.
Chicago Black Restaurant Week
Sunday – Saturday | February 10th – 17th | Time Varies
Location Varies | Price Varies
Chicago Black Restaurant Week (CBRW) is a week-long celebration highlighting Chicago’s African- American restaurants and eateries in the Chicagoland area. Last year, CBRW patrons spent over 11,000 dollars at 26 participating restaurants and vendors. Check out my post about CBRW from 2017. Find participating restaurants for 2019’s CBRW by visiting the official Instagram page.
WANTED: An EbonyEssenceJet Variety Show
Friday | February 1st | 7:30 p.m.
Flat Iron Arts Building | 1579 N Milwaukee Ave Ste. 334 | $7.50 – $15
EbonyEssenceJet brings its signature brand of topical and conscious humor to The Storefront in Chicago with WANTED. Hear these four African-American comediennes deliver their unique humor through improvisation. Grab your ticket for a special rate and learn more about the monthly series here.
Dramedy Cooley High by Eric Monte (Good Times) Live on Stage
Friday – Sunday | February 8th – 17th | Time Varies
Harold Washington Cultural Center | 4701 S King Dr. | $10 – $40
Broadway in Bronzeville presents a special film to live musical presentation of Cooley High, based on the 1975 movie written by Eric Monte (who also wrote for legendary sitcoms Good Times, The Jeffersons and All in the Family), the stage musical Cooley High follows a group of high school friends living in the Near North Side of Chicago in 1964. The friends deal with teacher, girls and police troubles as they prepare for life after high school. Similar in feel to American Graffiti, Cooley High gives you a dramatic and comical look at life in 1960s Chicago. The original film also inspired the beloved sitcom What’s Happening!, created by Monte. Grab your tickets here.
Second City’s Salute to Black History Month
Tuesdays & Wednesdays | February 4th – 26th | 8:00 p.m.
UP Comedy Club | 230 W North Ave. | $10 – $20
Second City’s current cadre of improv-comedy specialists celebrates February’s Black History Month by bringing you the most iconic sketches ever created by some of its African-American alumni, along with classic archive scenes freshened up for the occasion. This high-energy retrospective at Chicago’s Up Comedy Club reprises material created by alums like Steve Carell, Keegan-Michael Key, Tim Meadows, Stephen Colbert, Amber Ruffin, Sam Richardson and many more. Save a little as you laugh with sketches from an iconic cast for a here.
Columbia College Chicago’s 2nd Annual Black Arts Festival
Thursday – Saturday | February 21st – 23rd | Time Varies
Columbia College | Free
The 2019 Black Arts Festival at Columbia College Chicago is an affirming, community space for Columbia students and faculty who identify within the African Diaspora to share work and critically engage with each other through roundtable discussions, audience interaction, and collaboration. The Festival is the first event of it’s kind since
Goin’ to Chicago
Sunday | February 17th | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Stony Island Arts Bank | 6760 South Stony Island Ave. | Free
Goin’ to Chicago chronicles one of the most momentous yet least heralded sagas of American history – the great migration of African-Americans from the rural South to the cities of the North and West. This film screening will follow the Sharing The Crop Migration Cipher: a talking circle curated by Rebuild Foundation 2019 Dance Fellow, Ayesha Jaco. Tickets to the event are free. Check out the event page for more details and film policy.
Black History Month at the DuSable Musuem
Sunday – Saturday | February 12th – 28th | Time Varies
DuSable Museum | 740 East 56th Place| $5
The DuSable Museum of African-American History celebrates Black History Month with a variety of events, focusing on film, fine arts, music and more. For a full list of events, head over to the website. While you are there be sure to check out their latest exhibits as well.
Prof.James Small LIVE in Chicago! Presents: Reclaiming Our Youth
Friday & Saturday| February 8th & 9th | 6:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Kufi Club of Chicago | 11158 South Michigan Ave. | $0 – $60
The Kufi Club of Chicago has one primary focus, uplifting, inspiring and cultivating our youth. Please come out and bring a child or teen to this wonderful event filled
The Black Child Book Fair
Saturday| February 9th | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
1900 W Fulton St. | Free
The inaugural event will feature African-American authors with books that spotlight positive Black characters with empowering and informative stories. Attendees can expect books with subjects such as self-esteem, bullying, autism, face painting, lunch and more. This event is free to
2nd Wednesday Lecture: The Nature of Black Wellness
Wednesday | February 13th | 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Garfield Park Conservatory | 300 N Central Park Ave. | Free
The Nature of Black Wellness is a special lecture event for Black History Month at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Kim Ruffin will lead an interactive talk about the pivotal role of nature in the lives of African-Americans, both past and present. Open your mind, body, and spirit to this nature filled event. Register here for this free event.
For the Culture Game Nite
Friday | February 15th | 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Park Tavern Chicago | 1645 W Jackson Blvd. | $5 – $10
Just Play Entertainment Presents “For the Culture” game night. This Black History Month
AAN 3rd Annual Black History Month Celebration
Saturday | February 16th | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra | 220 S Michigan Ave. | Free
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s African American Network invites you to its 3rd annual Black History Month Celebration. Hear a new opera composed by Renée Baker entitled The Baldwin Chronicles: Midnight Ramble. The Baldwin Chronicles is a multimedia musical work based on texts by American novelist James Baldwin, including his poem “Conundrum” from Jimmy’s Blues and Other Poems. Just as relevant now as he was in the mid-twentieth century, Baldwin’s writing painted a nuanced portrait of Black life in America. After the opera, Baker and guests will lead a Q&A. For more
Women of Soul Annual Scholarship Fundraiser with a Tribute to Aretha Franklin
Saturday | February 16th | 7:30 p.m.
Black Ensemble Theater | 4450 North Clark St. | $75
Join the Chicago Heights Alumni Foundation Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity for a fundraiser scholarship night celebrating the women of soul. Tickets include valet parking, food, and beverage with a reception to follow. For more information and to
The Black Farmer
Sunday | February 17th | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Heritage Cafe | 1849 E 79th St. | Free
Celebrate Black History Month with a presentation given by GrowAsis’ own Jacqueline Smith on the life of black farmers-past and present. Learn about farming in the U.S., indigenous food growing, vital role black farmers have played in America and the continent of Afrika (Africa). This is a free presentation but donations are welcomed as well as the patronage of Heritage Cafe.
Black History Month Wine Sampling with Chrishon Lampley
Sunday | February 17th | 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mariano | 3857 S King Dr.| Free
Join us at Mariano’s Bronzeville to Meet & Greet Mariano’s Tastemaker, Chrishon Lampley founder of Love Cork Screw. In celebration of Black History Month, Chrishon Lampley will be pouring samples of her wine: Love Cork Screw. The tasting is free and open to the public.
Change the Canvas Change the World
Friday | February 1st | 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
South Side Community Art Center | 3831 S Michigan Ave. | Free
Meet Leslie Guy the curator of Change The Canvas Change The World at our free curators talk moderated by artist, curator and past Executive Director of the South Side Community Art Center Faheem Majeed. Each work of art featured in this exhibition was selected and researched by Ms. Guy and honors collectors and communities. If you are interested in art, design, or museum studies, this is the event for you. For more details, visit the event page.
Yom L’Mokereem 2019
Saturday | February 23rd | 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Beverly Woods Restaurant | 11532 S Western Ave. | $35
Soul Vegan, Chicago’s leader in sustainable soul food, will host a celebration and appreciation of Divine African Culture this Black History Month. Be apart of a diaspora filled evening of food, live entertainment, and community. To purchase tickets, visit the event page.
The Evolving Legacy of Black Business and Entrepreneurship in Chicagoland
Friday | February 1st | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
DuSable Museum | 740 East 56th Place| $5
The Evolving Legacy of Black Business and Entrepreneurship in Chicagoland is a meaningful evening centered around purposeful dialogue on the rich history of Black business ownership and growth in Chicago; including notable owners and businesses, regulatory history and breakthroughs, and the supporting ecosystems that impacted their success. Five notable entrepreneurs will engage with you in a discussion to boost the education, conversation, and connection to the evolving legacy of economic empowerment in Black communities in Chicago and the surrounding areas. Appetizers and cocktails will be served during the reception and networking. Visit the event page for more information and to purchase tickets.
Reimagining Black Masculinity – OPENING RECEPTION
Friday | February 22nd | 5:30 p.m
Pop-Up JUST Art Gallery | 344 S. Halsted St. | Free
The Social Justice Initiative and Haitian photographer and architect, Zarita Zevallos’ invite you to Reimagining Black Masculinity. This photographic exhibit will feature images from her three collections: Pariah, Koktel, and Imperium and will be augmented by programs and discussions on Black masculinity and what a reimagining of black masculinity can provide to our existing frameworks and conversations. Join UIC for this special opening reception.
AfroSoul Yoga
Wednesday | February 6th – 27th | 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sweet Magic Studio | 6960 N Sheridan Rd.| $5 – $12
This Black History Month, set your mind, body, and soul to primal rhythms of African drums infused music, class starts with a deep dance based breathy free flowing Vinyasa. This active meditation yoga class involves dancing, restorative yoga
Icon Up – She The Icon Chicago
Sunday | February 24th | 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
2605 W North Ave. | $25 – $40
The Icon empowerment panel will feature eight exceptional black women who will share the journey of becoming an Iconic Woman. Attends will have the opportunity to network with successful business savvy women (ICONS) and discover the true essence of an Iconic Woman. Learn tools from actionable small business strategies to brand development and more at this event. For tickets, visit the event page here.
The Meaning of Manhood and the Evolution of Black Masculinity
Wednesday | February 6th | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fellowship Chicago | 4543 S Princeton Ave.| Free
In celebration of Black History Month and hosted at the historic Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago Ideas presents a program discussing the current state and future of African-American men. Join DeVon Franklin, Charlamagne the God, Xavier Ramey, and Charles Jenkins for a lively, informative, no-holds-barred evening hosted in partnership with the F.E.E.D. Foundation. This event is free and open to the public, visit Chicago Ideas to register.
Celebrating Black culture and history is not limited to just one month. You can celebrate and support African-American culture throughout the year by doing several things such as shopping and dining at Black-owned business restaurants. You can also become a stronger ally and empathize with the African-American issues—this means stepping outside of the #repost box of social media and standing with disenfranchised people offline. If you need more resources to celebrate Black
