Mar. 3, 2026
Living Fresh Market Hosts 60-Second Shopping Spree for Black History Month
Four lucky winners raced through the Forest Park grocery store, gathering everything from meat to laundry detergent.
Mar. 2, 2026
Far South Side School Celebrates 100 Years of Black History Month with Harlem Renaissance Stage Show
Mount Vernon Elementary students perform 'Heroes of the Harlem Renaissance' to honor Black artists and creatives from the early 20th century.
Feb. 26, 2026
Poet Aubrey Barnes Awarded French Writing Residency
Barnes, a Midwest-based artist, continues to share his uncompromising voice through poetry, mentorship, and community initiatives.
Feb. 25, 2026
Black History is My History Too
A white man reflects on how Black history is also his own history
Feb. 24, 2026
Springfield Celebrates 5th Annual Black Children's Book Week
Event aims to highlight importance of representation in children's literature.
Feb. 24, 2026
Lincoln Library Hosts Black Authors Book Club
Library's ongoing book club celebrates Black literature and experiences year-round
Feb. 23, 2026
Indian American Journalist Keerti Gopal Wins Investigative Reporting Fellowship
Gopal covers climate change, public health, and environmental justice at Inside Climate News
Feb. 21, 2026
NAACP Rockford Branch Celebrates 100 Years of Black History Month
Community gathers for family-friendly event honoring past and present Black leaders and culture.
Feb. 20, 2026
Black Author Publishes Her Own Work, Encourages Others to Do the Same
Ariel Sylvester self-published to maintain control over her authentic voice and stories.
Feb. 20, 2026
Atlanta Black-owned Toy Store to be Featured in Obama Presidential Center
The Brown Toy Box's educational kits will be sold at the new Obama Presidential Center's gift shop.
Feb. 17, 2026
DuSable African American Museum celebrates 65th anniversary
The oldest African American museum in the country continues its legacy of showcasing Black history and culture.
Feb. 16, 2026
Highland Community College to Host The Soil Project Event
Documentarian Danairo Thomas to share stories of Freeport's Black history pioneers
Feb. 13, 2026
Chicago Women Played Key Role in Creating Black History Month
Black women activists and librarians in Chicago were instrumental in establishing the annual celebration.
Feb. 11, 2026
William Walter Smith: Illinois' First Black Graduate & Pioneering Engineer
Smith broke barriers as the first African American to graduate from the University of Illinois and went on to an international engineering career.
Feb. 11, 2026
Champaign Groups Host Black History Month Event Honoring Veterans
NAACP, Healing Invisible Wounds, and Veterans Assistance Commission collaborate on 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants' celebration.
Feb. 11, 2026
Reader-recommended Black History Month events
A curated list of Black History Month-related events from our February Reader Radar and beyond.
Feb. 9, 2026
Stussy's Diner Transforms Painful Past into South Side Success
Chicago restaurant owned by family attacked decades ago now provides meals to the homeless and celebrates community.
Feb. 7, 2026
Divine Nine Fraternities and Sororities Unite to Fight Food Insecurity
Volunteers from historically Black Greek organizations pack over 16,000 pounds of bread for Chicago food pantries
Feb. 7, 2026
Peoria Kids Celebrate Black History Month by Honoring Trailblazers
Children as young as 4 presented on African American leaders, innovators, and heroes at a community event.
