In honor of Black History Month, a variety of events and programs are scheduled throughout the area to celebrate the role of African-Americans in shaping our nation and culture.
Elgin
Black History Month kick off breakfast at 8 a.m. Feb. 2 Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building E, Dining Room. Admission is $5 students; $12 non-students. 847-214-7425; tickets.elgin.edu.
Celebrate the start of Black History Month with Black Student Achievers and keynote speaker City Councilman Corey Dixon.
Read-In from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 6. Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building C, Room C120. Admission is free. 847-214-7370; www.elgin.edu/blackhistorymonth.
Students and community leaders will read selected works from African-American writers. Music and refreshments will also be available
“Project 2-3-1” Film Screening at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 7. Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building G, Room G100 (Spartan Auditorium). Admission is free. 847-214-7370; www.elgin.edu/blackhistorymonth.
The film documents the presence, heritage and contributions of African-Americans in Elgin. A Q&A with Executive Producer Ernie Broadnax will be held after the film.
“Unforgettable: Falling in Love with Nat King Cole” at 7 p.m. Feb. 17. Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Arts Center, Blizzard Theatre. Tickets are $26.40-$30. 847-622-0300; www.elgin.edu/community.aspx?id=23253&__taxonomyid=1550.
Evan Tyrone Martin summons the vocal styling of the legendary Nat King Cole in an evening of song and story. Martin tells of Cole’s musical journey along the jazz scene to popular music icon.
African Gala at 6 p.m. Feb. 22. Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building E, Dining Room. Admission is free for students; $5 non-students. 847-214-7370; www.elgin.edu/blackhistorymonth.
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Celebrate the culture and continent of Africa during an evening of performances, music, food and speakers. Attendees are encouraged to “dress to impress.”
“Zora by Lawrence Holder — A Literature to Life Stage Presentation” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Arts Center, Spartan Auditorium. Tickets are $25. 847-622-0300; www.elgin.edu/community.aspx?id=22908&__taxonomyid=1550.
Cheryl Howard portrays writer Zora Neale Hurston, pre-eminent author of 20th century African-American literature and one of the most important figures to come out of the Harlem Renaissance.
Glen Ellyn
African-American Read-In at 10 a.m. Feb. 7. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., COD Library, Room 3100. Admission is free. 630-942-2565; www.cod.edu/news-events/news/18_january/18_bhm.aspx.
Volunteer readers from across the campus will present their favorite selections from African-American writers, as well as brief biographical sketches of the authors.
“Accidental Courtesy” screening at 3 and 7 p.m. Feb. 7. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. Student Life Lounge, Student Services Center, Room 1200. Admission is free. 630-942-2565; www.cod.edu/news-events/news/18_january/18_bhm.aspx.
The documentary film follows African-American musician Daryl Davis, who made it his mission to meet and greet racists to change their minds.
“Unite” Sculpture Exhibit Opening from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 8. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Cleve Carney Art Gallery, McAninch Arts Center. Admission is free. 630-942-2565; www.cod.edu/news-events/news/18_january/18_bhm.aspx.
The exhibit by artist Faheem Majeed opens Feb. 8 in the Cleve Carney Art Gallery, and will be on display through April 7.
Guest Speaker Faheem Majeed at 1 p.m. Feb. 13. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Playhouse Theatre, McAninch Arts Center. Admission is free. 630-942-2565; www.cod.edu/news-events/news/18_january/18_bhm.aspx.
Artist Faheem Majeed,a resident of Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, will speak about his work.
“Like Cotton Twines” at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Playhouse Theater, McAninch Arts Center. Admission is free. 630-942-4000; www.atthemac.org/events/global-flicks-like-cotton-twines.
Part of the college’s annual Global Flicks festival, this 2016 drama from Ghana tells the story of Micah, an American English teacher teaching in a remote Ghanaian village. He meets Tuigi, a 14-year-old girl who is forced to drop out of school and become a Trokoski — a practice of religious sexual slavery — to atone for her father’s crime.
A Taste of History from noon-2 p.m. Feb. 15. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Berg Instructional Center cafeteria, Room 1140. Admission is free. 630-942-2565; www.cod.edu/news-events/news/18_january/18_bhm.aspx.
Sodexo food services will offer Pan African cuisine and a chance to learn about the preparation of foods that have touched generations.
Black Inventors Fair from noon-2 p.m. Feb. 22. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Student Services Center Atrium. Admission is free 630-942-2565; www.cod.edu/news-events/news/18_january/18_bhm.aspx.
Students will portray famous African-American inventors and present information/discuss their inventions.
Black History Month Closing Ceremony from 1-3 p.m. Feb. 26. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center. Admission is free. 630-942-2565; www.cod.edu/news-events/news/18_january/18_bhm.aspx.
Closing the month-long celebration of Black History is a ceremony featuring a performance by the Afrikan Dance and Music Institute.
Apollo Live Talent Competition at Noon March 9. College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center. Admission is free. 630-942-3018; www.atthemac.org/events/apollo-live-student-talent-competition.
The final event of the College’s Black History Month celebration is the third annual “Apollo Live!” student talent competition. Competition areas include singing, dancing, music, spoken word and gymnastics/acrobatic. Prospective contestants must submit a 30-60 second audition video by midnight Feb. 16. Go to www.atthemac.org/events/apollo-live-student-talent-competition.
Naperville
Regina Carter “Simply Ella” at 8 p.m. Feb. 24. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $50-$60. 630-637-7469; finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/event/regina-carter-simply-ella.
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Considered the foremost jazz violinist of her generation, Regina Carter marks the 100th birthday of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald.
Tammy McCann “Tenderly Nat King Cole” at 6 p.m. Feb. 25. Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $30-$35. 630-637-7469; finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/event/tammy-mccann-tenderly-nat-king-cole.
Hear Tammy McCann, one of today’s premiere jazz vocalists, bring her voice to the classic love songs of Nat King Cole.
Sugar Grove
Dr. Jodi Merriday at 11:15 a.m. Feb. 22. Waubonsee Community College, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Academic and Professional Center, Room 110. Admission is free. 600-466-7900.
Considered one of the most provocative and colorful poetic vocalists to emerge in her generation, Dr. Jodi Merriday is also a scholar of African-American aesthetics and culture. She identifies her vocal canvas as jazz and aspires to create narrative bodies of work that provoke consciousness, deliberation and love.
Wheaton
Sojourner Truth at 3 p.m. Feb. 17. Robert R. McCormick House Freedom Hall, Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road. Admission is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. 630-260-8162; www.cantigny.org.
Actress Pamela Welcome will portray abolitionist Sojourner Truth in this Living History presentation. Registration is required, with a maximum capacity of 70 for the event.
Sherman Jenkins lecture and book signing at 3 p.m. Feb. 24. Robert R. McCormick House Freedom Hall, Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road. Admission is $5 per vehicle parking fee. 630-260-8162; www.cantigny.org.
Author Sherman Jenkins will speak about his book, “Ted Strong, Jr.: The Untold Story of an Original Harlem Globetrotter and Negro Leagues All-Star.” Registration is required, with a maximum capacity of 70 for the event.
Kathy Cichon is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.