Clint Smith (Carletta Girma photo).
Juneteenth Special Events June 16-17
'Racial Equity' Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. Thurs Noon-6:30 p.m. Fri 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The offices of Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer (2nd district), Bill Lowry (3rd), Stanley Moore (4th), State Rep. Lakesia Collins (9th), Cook County Juneteenth Joint Planning Committee, the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago sponsor second annual event aimed at education, health, justice and wealth-building, particularly through home ownership. www.juneteenthillinois.com June 16
Voices for Justice: Clint Smith Chicago Public Library YouTube and Facebook channels The Library hosts Smith, author of The New York Times bestseller, “How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery,” 6-7 p.m., as part of its Voices for Justice speaker series. Some of the nation’s most essential stories are hidden in plain view: from Juneteenth celebrations to places we drive by on the way to work. Smith discusses monuments that are
12
honest about the past and those that are not, from Monticello Plantation in Virginia, where Thomas Jefferson wrote letters espousing liberty while enslaving 400 people; to Whitney Plantation, which has preserved the work experience of the enslaved people who sustained it. Smith will converse with Candace Moore, City of Chicago chief equity officer, and Dr. Obari Cartman, president of the Chicago Association of Black Psychologists. WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore will moderate. The program will be archived for future viewing. June 17 & 18
Live the Spirit Residency & Drums for Peace Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave. 5 p.m. Fri Englewood Village Market, 5822 S. Halsted St., 6 p.m. Sat. Ernest Dawkins directs the Young Masters, the most promising and creative high school and collegeaged musicians developed through the Residency's free jazz education programs on the West Side and around Englewood. Friday event is part of Night Out in the Parks. There will also be a participatory Drum Circle for Peace. FREE. www.Livethespiritresidency.org Saturday, the Live the Spirit Residency joins with Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities in a Summer Soulstice celebration, a Drum Circle for Peace designed to build community through music.
Massamba Diop at "Black Panther in Concert" (Chicago Philharmonic photo).
June 18
June 18
Douglass Park, on California, 12th Place to Ogden Noon-6 p.m. It Takes A Village family of schools celebrates its part in renaming this park after Anna and Frederick Douglass. Inaugural Fest will provide space for ITAV students and families, partner organizations & businesses - and the broader community -- to commemorate the liberation of African ancestors from slavery. There will be a main stage for adults, a youth stage, games, carnival rides, horseback riding, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, inflatables, community vendor booths, face painting, giveaways, and more. FREE.
Douglass Park Fieldhouse, 1401 S. Sacramento Noon -3 p.m. The Brown House Experience will provide interactive fun for those age 5-11 and an opportunity for those age 12-21 to participate in handson exploration of three trades of their choice. Local businesses, entrepreneurs and trade colleges will provide participants info on furthering their education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and in alternative colleges or programs where they can work with their hands. There will also be fitness stations, art, community organizations, a performance by the Original Sixty Fourth Street Beach Drummers at 1:30 p.m. and by Final Explosion Entertainment at 2:30 p.m. Register at TheBrownHouseExperience.com
Juneteenth Village Festival
June 18
Emancipation Ball Willlis Tower Skydeck, 233 S. Wacker Drive Style yourself “Liberated Chic” and soar to the 99th floor for this inaugural ball. Enjoy a scenic sunset toast, open bar, passed appetizers, stunning views, works by Black artists, Chicago-based, Black-owned beer and alcohol brands, and more. 7-11 p.m., $150 at Eventbrite. com
Juneteenth Trade Day
June 18
Juneteenth #ClearTheShelves Semicolon Bookstore, 1714 W. Division St. Noon-6 p.m. Black woman-owned bookstore invites Chicago Public School students to visit and take home whatever books they like -- FREE of charge. Investing in community and youth, one book at a time. semicolon.com
