The month of February is half over, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to celebrate Black History Month! There are a number of local and free Black History Month activities throughout the Chicago area available both in person and online.
We’ve got your rundown for Black History Month activities for the rest of the month!
February 15: Black History Month at the Field Museum Free Day
Take part in the 10:30 am Storytime session in Africa Hall and the 12 pm Black in STEM session with Pasama Cole-Kweli.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Free, Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., 312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org
February 16: Online Event: How Mental and Physical Health Affects Our Hair Growth
Join the Chicago Public Library for their Black History Month virtual program that focuses on Black mental health and physical wellness led by Crystal Ross, Founder and CEO of Endow Mi Lavish Hair Extensions. Crystal has over 13 years of professional experience in hair care and in those years, she has developed an understanding of how health and wellness play a huge role in hair loss and its potential to properly grow.
Open for all ages.
This event takes place on Zoom. Register at least 24 hours before the event.
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.,
Free, Virtual, (312) 747-4484, chipublib.bibliocommons.com
February 17: Film Screening: The Help
Join the Thurgood Marshall Library branch for a screening of The Help.
A débutante in 1960s Mississippi sends her community into an uproar by conducting a series of probing interviews with the black female servants of the area’s most-prominent families.
Open to ages 13+
2:00PM – 4:00PM
Masks are strongly encouraged in all CPL locations.
Free, 7506 S. Racine Avenue, Chicago IL 60620, (312) 747-5927
For more info, click here
February 18: The History of Black Fashion: Where it All Began
In celebration of African American History Month, the Arts and Music Department in collaboration with the African American Services Committee will be hosting a lecture on the history of Black Fashion in America presented by Melody Boykin, Founder of Black Fashion Week, and Jermikko Shoshanna, designer, inventor and manufacturer.
This lecture will provide an overview of Black fashion designers both pre- and post-civil rights era, inspiring and informing attendees on the history of black designers in America, the obstacles they’ve faced, their contributions and impact within the fashion industry in America.
Open to ages 10+
1:00PM – 2:30PM
Masks are strongly encouraged in all CPL locations.
Free, located at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street Chicago, IL 60605, (312) 747-4300
For more info, click here
February 19: Dark Testament at the American Writers Museum
Join award-winning poet Crystal Simone Smith for a reading of her book Dark Testament: Blackout Poems, plus view the museum’s special exhibit Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice which is on display throughout the month.
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
$14, American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 300, (312) 374-8790,
For more info, click here
February 20: Black History Month at the Field Museum Free Day
11am–1pm–Meet a Scientist with Dr. Cynthia Schmidt as she discusses Sierra Leone Masks & Artifacts in the Science Hub
2 –3:15pm enjoy the Muntu Dance Theater Performance in the Stanley Field Hall
3 –5pm–Celebrating 30th Year of Africa Hall, James Simpson Theatre. 2023 is the year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Africa Hall opening during the Field Museum’s centennial year on November 13, 1993. Learn why it was revolutionary for its time and how the exhibit still educates the public today. Assistant Curator of African Anthropology Foreman Bandama, PhD, will moderate the event, recognizing the contributions of staff, valuable cultural partnerships, and the importance of community engagement for the future of the Africa Hall.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free, Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., 312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org
February 21: Online event: Race and Trauma
Join Woodson Regional Library and Riveredge Hospital as they discuss the following topics:
Define terms: racism, institutional racism, discrimination, prejudice, bias
Define trauma and understand various types of trauma and the impact on children
Learn about racial trauma or race-based traumatic stress
Discuss resilience and coping strategies
Open to adults 18+
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
This event takes place on Zoom. Registration closes February 21 at 12:00pm (10 spots remaining) Register for event here
February 22: Black History Invention Convention
Join Ms. A for a Black History Invention Convention at the Thurgood Marshall Library branch! Participants will learn about Black Inventors through several S.T.E.A.M Activities.
Open to ages 13+
6:00PM – 7:00PM
Masks are strongly encouraged in all CPL locations.
Free, 7506 S. Racine Avenue, Chicago IL 60620, (312) 747-5927
Registration required (16 spots remaining) Register for event here
February 23: Webinar Still Searching
An important conversation exploring community efforts to raise awareness about the ongoing and widespread concerns for missing Black women and girls in Chicago and nationally. Discussion about shared experiences by families coping and hoping to keep the memory and search for their loved ones active.
6 p.m.
Registration links are pending; visit fieldmuseum.org/blackhistorymonth for updates.
February 25: Film Screening: Hidden Figures
Visit Gage Park for a screening of Hidden Figures.
Three female African-American mathematicians provide crucial calculations for NASA’s space race against the Soviets, all while dealing with the racist and sexist assumptions of their white co-workers.
Open to ages 13+
1:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Masks are strongly encouraged in all CPL locations.
Free, 2807 W. 55th Street, Chicago IL 60632, (312) 747-0032
For more info, click here
February 28: Black History Month at the Field Museum Free Day
5 – 7 p.m. Changing Gateways of Science: Career Panel & Mixer – Highlighting the work of the late Lynika Strozier, and the exhibit in memoriam The Changing Face of Science: Lynika Strozier, join the museum for a night of learning, connecting, and remembering. Teaching undergraduate students was Lynika’s dream; in her honor, the Field is holding a panel to inform students and early career professionals about the various career paths they can take in science.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free, Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., 312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org
Sign up for our free elert here and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
REEL CHICAGO NEEDS YOUR HELP
It cost over $10,000 to get back online after a malware attack.
If you read the REEL, we are asking for your help.
