See the events happening in Black History Month, 2024

 

Black History Month is upon us; we're here to help guide you towards events and resources to help educate, uplift, empower and learn. We've gathered together a list events this month that reflect on the history of black people in America and beyond, as well as uplifting notable black leaders, scholars, and more.

We hope you find these events or your own resources to continue the acknowledgement and honoring of Black History Month through forwarding equity, safety, concern, care and education.

Be sure to network with your friends and family. Invite them as well as colleagues, and community members to join you to an event or two. Information provided in courtesy by the City of Evanston, the Evanston Roundtable and Evanston Public Library.

Events:

February 6: A Conversation with Jerry Craft & Watch Party (VIRTUAL)

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091Learn about life, art, and telling your story with bestselling author and cartoonist Jerry Craft. Join us for a conversation about his works and a drawing demo that will be fun for the whole family! All Ages

February 7: The AUX with Tiffini Holmes: A Lunch & Learn Event

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Evanston Public Library, 1720 Main St, Evanston, IL,60201Discover The AUX and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs at the Evanston Public Library.

February 11: Matinee Movie @ Main Celebrating Black History: The Little Mermaid (2023)

2:00 PM – 4:30 PM Evanston Public Library - Community Meeting Room (107), 1720 Main St, Evanston, IL,60201Join us as the Evanston Public Library screens "The Little Mermaid" (2023). A craft will be available one hour before the screening at 1pm in the Art Garden in the Children's Room. All Ages

February 13: Classics & Contemporary Book Discussion, "Giovanni's Room" by James Baldwin

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Wilmette Public Library - Auditorium, 1242 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091Partake on the discussion of this black literary classic from one of the greatest African American writers of the time.

February 16: Organ Donation and African Americans: Myths and Misconceptions

6:30 PM - 7:30 PMRobert Crown Community Center, Room B-CDaru Smith was first diagnosed with multi-system sarcoidosis in 2015. This was the beginning of a life changing experience for him. Daru is one of the first two patients to receive back-to-back triple-organ transplants to replace failing hearts, livers and kidneys.Daru will discuss his journey and experience of becoming a triple organ transplant recipient. He will also discuss some myths and misconceptions of organ/tissue donation in the black community.

February 17: Black History 24/7/365: That Art Thing We Do. (SOLD OUT)

7:00 PM - 9:00 PMNoyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street Evanston, IL 60201An engaging conversation with talented Black Evanston artists. 

February 20:  Teen Snack & Paint

4:00 PM - 6:00 PMRobert Crown Branch Library, Multipurpose RoomEnjoy painting? Like getting artistic?  Join us at the Robert Crown branch of the Evanston Public Library February 20th from 4-5:30PM and get royal.  Celebrate Black History, learn about African Royalty, and make your own crown! Grades 4-9

February 21: Finding Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable: Chicago’s Black Father

6:30 PM - 7:30 PMEvanston Public Library - Community Meeting Room 107, 1720 Main St, Evanston, IL,60201Join Courtney Pierre Joseph, Associate Professor of History and African American Studies at Lake Forest College, for a talk about the life and times of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable.

February 23: Black Family Game Night

6:30 PM - 8:30 PMRobert Crown Branch Library, 1801 Main St, Evanston, IL, 60202Join the Robert Crown Branch library for an evening of great food, fun, trivia, and games in celebration of Black History Month!

February 24: Matinee Movie @ Main Celebrating Black History: Summer of Soul. (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

3:00 PM - 5:15 PMEvanston Public Library - Community Meeting Room 107, 1720 Main St, Evanston, IL,60201Join us as the Evanston Public Library screens the film Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised). Summer of Soul is a 2021 American independent documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African American music and culture. Directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson.

February 27: Mental Health in Black Communities: A Panel Discussion

6:30 PM - 7:30 PMRobert Crown Community Center, Multipurpose RoomExperts and community leaders will discuss the intersection of shared experience, inequities, and mental health access. Highlighted panelists include:

• Donell Barnett, Ph.D  - Pres. Emeritus, The Association of Black Psychologists. Sr. Administrator, IL. Department of Human Services
• Shenay Bridges-Carter, Ph.D   - Adjunct Professor, The Chicago School, Sr. Director, Clinical Services, Northeastern University
• Delores Brown  - Vice President of Operations of People Experience, Alkeme Health
• Paviella Foster, Ed.D   - SVP of Prevention and Empowerment Services

February 28: The Golden Thirteen (VIRTUAL)

6:30 PM - 7:30 PMWilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091Join The National Museum of the American Sailor in an exploration of the Golden Thirteen, the first African American commissioned officers in Navy history. 

Keep an eye out for more Black history events in our e-news and on our social media!