Black Film Club Collective provides safe space for Chicagoans to enjoy cultural stories

The group hosts screenings, discussions and other social events to build community and amplify art by filmmakers across the African diaspora.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:55pm

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The Black Film Club Collective, led by Chinyere Achebe and Troy Martin, hosts regular film screenings and events in Chicago to provide a welcoming space for the community to engage with Black cinema. The group has partnered with local institutions to develop archival projects, present a film symposium, and curate audiences for major events featuring acclaimed directors and artists. Even as the organization continues to grow, it remains committed to its goal of building community around Black film.

Why it matters

The Black Film Club Collective fills an important void in Chicago's cultural landscape by creating dedicated spaces for the community to experience and discuss films that reflect their lived experiences. By amplifying diverse Black stories and perspectives, the group is helping to counter the lack of representation in mainstream media and providing a platform for underrepresented filmmakers.

The details

The Black Film Club Collective was founded in 2021 by Chinyere Achebe and Troy Martin, who were separately hosting movie meetups at their homes before joining forces. The group has gone on to screen a wide range of films, from classics like 'Love Jones' to recent releases such as the Senegalese film 'Banel & Adama.' Each event maintains an intimate and welcoming environment, with the group partnering with local vendors to offer food and beverages. The collective also collaborates with institutions like the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on archival projects and film symposiums to further amplify Black and brown filmmakers.

  • The Black Film Club Collective was founded in 2021.
  • In February 2026, the group hosted a screening of the film 'My Father's Shadow' at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
  • For the past two years, the club has collaborated with the Black Women Directors digital archive to host the Chicago Film Symposium.

The players

Chinyere Achebe

Co-founder of the Black Film Club Collective, based in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago.

Troy Martin

Co-founder of the Black Film Club Collective, based in the East Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Tayo Jaiye

A 31-year-old resident of Uptown who attended the screening of 'My Father's Shadow' hosted by the Black Film Club Collective.

Ajibade Fashola

A 35-year-old resident of the South Loop who attended the screening of 'My Father's Shadow'.

Ryan Coogler

Director who participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Black Film Club Collective.

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What they’re saying

“I love hearing other people's perspectives. There's some observations that I have that other people are sometimes blown away by, and there are other things that they notice that I would not have noticed. That's just part of the whole communal aspect of watching, digesting, ruminating and enjoying the whole experience.”

— Tayo Jaiye (Instagram)

“The film club always feels like a living room, with a recognizable feeling of comfort where people can actually feel open to express themselves and just have a good time. It's made up of the cinephile as much as it is the person that casually goes to a film, but the fact that we are so focused on Black storytelling sets us apart.”

— Troy Martin, Co-founder, Black Film Club Collective (wbez.org)

“The type of films that we get to enjoy and the safety of that space is what keeps people coming back. It's a place where we know that the film is going to be something that's particularly poignant to Black people, but also is going to allow for discourse with, ideally, like-minded individuals.”

— Ajibade Fashola (wbez.org)

“It feels like we have a responsibility to ensure that we provide spaces for people to have access to folks who are doing great things. We were like, 'Oh, we get to influence who sits at the table.'”

— Chinyere Achebe, Co-founder, Black Film Club Collective (wbez.org)

What’s next

The Black Film Club Collective is in the beginning stages of planning an exhibit featuring photos and heirlooms, as well as a documentary, as part of their 'Making Meaning' archival project in partnership with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and local businesses.

The takeaway

The Black Film Club Collective is filling an important void in Chicago's cultural landscape by creating dedicated spaces for the community to engage with and discuss Black cinema. By amplifying diverse stories and perspectives, the group is helping to counter the lack of representation in mainstream media and providing a platform for underrepresented filmmakers.