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Celebrate Black History Month in February!
Each week in February, the City will highlight a resident who has contributed to the Evanston community. See the City's Black History Month Featured Evanstonians.
"Word" Art Exhibition
January 11 through March 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (daily)
Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 2nd Floor Gallery, 927 Noyes St.
"Word," by Evanston artists Ben Blount and Melissa Blount, is dedicated to the contributions Black women have made, told letter by letter and word by word through hand-printed letterpress posters and hand-embroidered household textiles.
Admission is free.
Black Evanstonian History Makers Up Close
Monday, February 4, 7 p.m.
Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Gallery, 2nd floor, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre (FJT) and Shorefront present a conversation with FJT founder Gloria Bond Clunie; “Big” Sam Johnson, owner of the Church Street Barbershop; and ETHS honor student Chloe Smith.
This event is free and open to the public. Light snacks and beverages will be served.
“The Whipping Man” stage reading
Sunday, February 10, 3 p.m.
Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 2nd Floor Gallery, 927 Noyes St.
The Center for the Church and the Black Experience at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Northwestern University, and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre will host the stage reading of the emotionally potent play, “The Whipping Man,” by Matthew Lopez. The stage reading will be followed by a lively discussion about the play’s themes.
This event is free and open to the public. Light snacks and beverages will be served.
African-American Female Leaders in the Temperance Movement: Guest Speaker Carole Stewart
Tuesday, February 19, 7 p.m.
Deering Library at Northwestern University, 1927 Sheridan Rd.
"All Hail The Queen"
Sunday, February 24, 3 p.m.
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St.
This is a soul-stirring tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, featuring the powerhouse singer Qiana McNary and The McNary Experience Band.
Advanced tickets are $20 online at fjtheatre.com and $30 at the door.
Out of the African Diaspora to Evanston, Illinois: A Mosaic of Human Community
At the request of several members of the Evanston community, the Center for the Church and the Black Experience at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Northwestern University, and numerous African American churches and organizations have once again worked collaboratively to produce a community project entitled, “Out of the African Diaspora to Evanston, Illinois: A Mosaic of Human Community.” Using the Stations of the Cross to situate the history of Black Americans, participants will experience Black history from precolonial Africa to the present day at ten stations throughout February and March. Through various productions and representations—historical texts, art, photographs, artifacts, teaching, preaching, Bible study, and Scriptures—participants will explore and discuss key historical moments and movements in Black history.
Local organizations and groups are invited to submit Black History Month events and programs for posting on the City of Evanston's website. Information should be sent to communications@cityofevanston.org.
Events will be posted as soon as they are submitted. All events are free unless otherwise noted.