February is Black History Month. But did you know that the precursor to Black History Month, Negro History Week, was created in 1926 here in Chicago by Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History? He selected the month of February to overlap with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln.
In 1976, it became Black History Month. Decades later, there are now several family-friendly events where you can learn more about and celebrate Black history. You can also find more Black History Month events listed in our calendar.
Black History Month Crafts
Feb. 2, 2023
- Address: Gage Park Branch, Chicago Public Library, 2807 W. 55th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6 and up can celebrate Black History Month with crafts and a story. Create a quilt block for the branch’s freedom quilt that will be on display for the entire month of February. Also, create an Alma Thomas-inspired heart mosaic. Registration required.
Black By Popular Demand: Virtual Celebration
Feb. 6, 2023
- Hosted By: Chicago Public Library
- Cost: Free
Teens can celebrate Black History Month with a virtual Jeopardy-style trivia game, which highlights the most influential African Americans in the world.
Film Screening: Black Panther (2018)
Feb. 6, 2023
- Address: Chinatown Branch, Chicago Public Library, 2100 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of Black Panther (2018). It’s the story of a superhero that defends Wakanda, a technologically advanced country in Africa. Rated PG-13.
Film Screening: The Princess and the Frog
Feb. 6, 2023
- Address: Manning Branch, Chicago Public Library, 6 S. Hoyne Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of The Princess and the Frog, which features Disney’s first Black princess. Rated G.
Paint and Sip: Martin Luther King, Jr. Portrait
- Address: West Chicago Avenue Branch, Chicago Public Library, 4856 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6-13 can come out to the library to learn about civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. and paint a portrait of him. Light refreshments will be provided.
Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till
Feb. 9-11, 16-19, 2023
- Address: The DuSable Black History Museum & Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago
- Cost: $55/general admission, $50/group tickets, $30/members and school groups
The production features an immersive reenactment of the actual courtroom proceedings that happened in Sumner, Mississippi after Emmett Till was murdered.
Film Screening: The Princess and the Frog
Feb. 11, 2023
- Address: Gage Park Branch, Chicago Public Library, 2807 W. 55th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of The Princess and the Frog, which features Disney’s first Black princess. Rated G.
Film Screening: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997)
Feb. 12, 2023
- Address: King Branch, Chicago Public Library, 3436 S. King Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Stop by the library to see the showing of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997). The film features Brandy, Whitney Houston and more. Rated PG.
Hidden History: Build Like the Women of Hidden Figures
Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7, 2023
- Address: Woodson Regional Branch, Chicago Public Library, 9525 S. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
This four-week series explores the contributions of African-American engineers, mathematicians and scientists through hands-on projects. For ages 7-12.
DIY Printing and Traditional West African Writing
Feb. 15, 2023
- Address: Legler Regional Branch, Chicago Public Library, 115 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Teens can come to the library to learn how to make prints at home and explore printing using Nsibidi and Tifinagh writing systems found in West Africa.
Voices for Justice: When Blackness Was Golden by Pemon Rami
Feb. 15, 2023
- Address: Harold Washington Library Center Branch, Chicago Public Library, 400 S. State St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Come out to the library to hear from Pemon Rami, author of his memoir, When Blackness Was Golden. For ages 13-plus.
Film Screening: The Princess and the Frog
Feb. 18, 2023
- Address: West Chicago Avenue Branch, Chicago Public Library, 4856 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library for a screening of The Princess and the Frog, which features Disney’s first Black princess. Rated G.
Teen Ankara Pillow Craft
Feb. 18, 2023
- Address: Beverly Branch, Chicago Public Library, 1962 W. 95th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Teens in grades 9-12 can celebrate Black History Month with Ms. Vickie by creating a pillow made of Ankara fabric. Registration required.
Black-ish Family Fun Night
Feb. 21, 2023
- Address: Tuley (Murray) Park, 501 E. 90th Place, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a Black History Month event at Tuley (Murray) Park with music, live book reading, arts and crafts, games and more.
South Side Home Movie Project: “Black Lives on the South Side”
Feb. 22, 2023
- Hosted By: Chicago Public Library
- Cost: Free
Join the Chicago Public Library and the South Side Home Movie Project via Zoom to see film clips from the 1920s-1980s. Registration required.
Community Black History Exhibit
Feb. 22, 2023
- Address: Brainerd Park, 1246 W. 92nd St., Chicago
- Cost: $5/ages 13-plus, free/ages 12 and under
Families can explore the Black History exhibit and learn more about Black History through music, games, arts and more.
Black Creativity Career Showcase
Feb. 25, 2023
- Address: Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free w/museum admission
Kids and families can talk with African-American artists, scientists and engineers about innovative work happening right here in our city.
Family Event | Black History Month
Feb. 25, 2023
- Address: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free w/general admission
Enjoy this family-friendly Black History Month event at Chicago History Museum.
Film Screening: Hidden Figures (2016)
Feb. 25, 2023
- Address: Gage Park Branch, Chicago Public Library, 2807 W. 55th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
See a screening of Hidden Figures at the Gage Park Branch. The movie features African-American female mathematicians who worked for NASA.
Black History Month Concert Series 2023, Day One
Feb. 27, 2023
- Address: Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Enjoy the first part of the Black History Month concert series where Sankofa Speaks through Music, Movement and Memory.
Book Discussion: Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred (Graphic Novel)
Feb. 27, 2023
- Address: Rogers Branch, Chicago Public Library, 6907 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join the library to read and discuss Damian Duffy’s graphic novel adaption of Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred. Books will be available Jan. 17.
Black History Month Concert Series 2023, Day Two
Feb. 28, 2023
- Address: Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Enjoy the second part of the Black History Month concert series where Sankofa Speaks through Music, Movement and Memory.
This post is updated annually.
