Where to Learn About Chicago's Black History

From art museums to walking tours, these are the best ways to learn about Chicago’s African American history beyond February.

It ’s never too late to learn a thing or two about Chicago ’s vivacious diachronic web of bootleg art , music , activism , and community — and we found just the individual to help us get that done . Clarence Goodman grew up on the South Side and now work as a enlistment usher forToursByLocals , whereChicago ’s Black History Tourranks gamey among his 30 curated offerings .

Goodman sees his work as a way to spread out his love for the city , and he ’s majestic of his place within it . “ As an African American I have always accept slap-up , slap-up pride in African American chronicle , ” he explain . “ There ’s nothing like growing up on the South Side of Chicago , because you ’re automatically exposed to history without even lie with it . In many way , Chicago ’s existence and growth mirror the growth of the African American experience . ”

Before emancipation , Chicago was famously a pivotal stop - off on the Underground Railroad . The metropolis then transformed into an attractive safe harbor for hundreds of thousands of pitch-black family escaping the racism and violence of the Jim Crow South during the Great Migration . Though the Second City serve up as a lieu where young life story were built and newfangled futures were imagined , for many African American Chicagoans , the subsequent tenner also brought tremendous racial and economical tension , wildness , systematic disenfranchisement , and major setback . Even so , a rising tide of iconic physical body were brave enough to pave unreliable paths to fight for change and better themselves and their communities . “ Really important people from elsewhere decided to come to Chicago early on in their lives because that ’s where the activeness was — from Ida B. Wells , to Nat King Cole , to Louis Armstrong , ” observe Goodman .

Buddy Guy’s Legends

Buddy Guy’s Legends

Today , you’re able to find grounds of Chicago ’s storied Black history all across the urban center — from plaque , bout , and statue dotting the sidewalk and boulevards to contraband and white photographs hang on the walls of blueing baseball club and community of interests centers . But really , the city ’s history lives in its people , in motorbus drivers , museum conservator , activist , tour guides , metropolis functionary , even our own relatives . To keep and honor Black history in the Windy City , we asked Goodman to name 13 standout finish where you’re able to get up close and personal with some of the incredible share Black Chicagoans have made over the years , while never forgetting that the competitiveness for racial fairness and justice remains a iron out battle .

Chicago Landmark Kenwood District

adjoin by S Blackstone , S Drexel Avenue , E 47th Street , and E 51st StreetWhen it get to Goodman ’s preferent neighborhood on the tour , Kenwood tops the list . know not only for being architecturally sensational , with mansions go out back to the 1800s and honest-to-god ontogenesis trees line the bucolic streets , but within a half - mile radius , you may fit out Muhamhi Ali ’s old firm , Louis Farrakhan ’s house , and yes , the actual home of President Obama and his family . Goodman likes showing people this region because he says that it was , and still remains , a property where “ all form of really celebrated and affluent African Americans call dwelling house . ”

Bronzeville Walk of Fame

MLK Drive between 25th and 35th StreetsWhether you want to localize off on a DIY walking tour , get some friendly advice from alocal saluter , or hire Clarence Goodman for an fun - fill afternoon , the Bronzeville Walk of Fame is a must - stop for any disgraceful history lover . This stretch of MLK Drive boast fantastic historical home plate and stands as one of the elementary landing place point for relocate African Americans during the Great Migration . On your amble , you ’ll pass by the habitation of fabled activist and organizer Ida B. Wells , try 92 bronze brass consecrate toinfluential African American Bronzevilleresidents , and finally , get at theMonument to the Great Northern Migration — a statue of a figure facing Union commemorating the northbound journey many African Americans took after the Civil War .

The DuSable Museum of African American History

Hyde ParkThe country ’s oldest African American history museum , this stately origination holds royal court inside Washington Park ’s lush expanse and was establish by renowned artist and activist Margaret Taylor - Burroughs in 1961 . The museum holds a immense collection of African American paintings , carving , and artifact alongside steady programming like social result , workshops , performances , and exposition exploring and showcasing fatal culture . Wander through Viola Davis ’s immersive exhibitThe March , which will transport you to Dr. Martin Luther King ’s notable “ I Have A pipe dream ” manner of speaking on August 28 , 1963 , or explore the multi - platformUnresolved induction , which pays tribute to the unsolved killings of Black citizens during the Civil Rights Era .

Marquette Park

Chicago LawnThis Chicago Lawn parking area is plate to the awe - inspiringMartin Luther King , Jr. Living Memorial . The installing was placed in Marquette Park to memorialise a dissent King organized here in 1966 , when the area was destine “ white - only . ” During the uprising , King and his fellow activists were met with vehemence . “ That was one of the most vociferous oppositions , as far as the locals were concerned , and on the fiftieth day of remembrance of his first attempt to desegregate the park , the monument was erected , ” Goodman explains . “ It ’s kind of squeamish to stand up there and savour in it . ”

Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Statue

Pioneer CourtChicago ’s Black history dates back to its very base in the 1780s . Jean Baptise Pointe DuSable , a Haitian of African and French descent , is wide recognized as the city ’s beginner and the first non - native settler to set up shop on the bank of what we now call the Chicago River . Today , a bronze fizzle in his honor drop downtown ’s Pioneer Court , where his tradepost was thought to be first instal — and in case you have n’t detect , just last year DuSable ’s name was also sum to Lake Shore Drive .

The Chicago Public Library

Multiple LocationsIn addition to curating alist of booksthat promote wellness and wellness in the Black community , the CPL ’s African American Heritage Committee has arobust line - up of activitiesorganized through March 16 in celebration of African American culture . Catch the screening of the documentary13th , which explores the racial injustices African Americans continue to face within our prison system , prosecute with a speaker discussing a variety of topics from the stigma of mental health in the Black community , to holistic sustenance and personal health , or bring the kiddos to bask secret plan , crafts , and storytime highlighting local Black chronicle .

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Remembering Dr. King 1929 - 1968at the Chicago History Museum

Lincoln ParkRunning now through July 4 , the Chicago History Museum is displaying striking images of Dr. Martin Luther King ’s life and work during the Civil Rights Movement in the sixties . The exposure leave a glimpse into a radical moment in history , portray racial tensions that play out across the nation , and focuses particularly on Dr. King ’s time in Chicago , where he fight back inexhaustibly for desegregation . This small collection serves as a monitor that Dr King ’s powerful legacy will continue to inspire for propagation to come .

The Historic Former Wabash YMCA

BronzevilleOn the second Saturday of each month , city tour guides see visitant around this former YMCA construction , which made wave as the site of Black History Month ’s 1915 inception . Newspaper snip , photographs , and other artifacts differentiate the story of the Wabash Y , a lively Bronzeville community nerve centre and the position where historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson first began this annual celebration of African American finish . Woodson was one of the first to study the story of the African diaspora and African American history , and believed that documenting African American life was essential for next coevals , stating that “ those who have no record book of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of life and history . ” The scholarly person also established theAssociation for the Study of African American Life and account , still in operation to this day .

South Side Community Art Center

BronzevilleEstablished in 1940 , this beloved resource play a significant use in the lives of many Black artists at a time when few spaces like it existed . Founded by a group of working creative person , the South Side Community Art Center became a place where events , graphics exhibits , and residential district gatherings flourished . Committed to the ethos “ promote , preserve , progress , ” the center connects the past to the present by foster both the development and the exposition of Black originative expression .

African American Cultural Center

Black Ensemble Theater

UptownPraised as one of Chicago ’s premier bootleg theater of operations companies , Black Ensemble Theater got its start in 1971 and remains the only house in the United States with the express mission to eradicate racism . It ’s beginner , Jackie Taylor , regularly puts out original productions that focus on African American culture . The company also take part in educational outreach program and cover to be an crucial part of the Black playacting prowess community . On the measure this bound is Taylor’sIt ’s Just Like Coming to Church — a game story incorporating pelvic girdle record hop , malarky , blues , and soul that will doubtlessly leave you experience uplifted after the past two torturing years .

The Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibitionat the Museum of Science and Industry

Hyde ParkThe laud Museum of Science and Industry has been setting the level for theBlack creative thinking Juried Art Exhibitionevery year since 1970 , and this yr ’s presentation is on now through April 17 . It ’s the land ’s prospicient track display of African American artistry , showcasing work by emerging and professional African American creative person from near and far . From painting , sculpture , ceramics , mixed media , and photographs source from a various array of creators , you wo n’t desire to miss this one .

Buddy Guy’s Legends

South LoopDuring the Great Migration , country tune from the South clash with urban liveliness in Chicago and a brand new speech sound was born . And once masterful blue adult male Buddy Guy fare on the scene in 1957 , his impact on the Chicago landscape painting was irreversible . Buddy Guy has influenced countless noteworthy musician , from icons like Jimmi Hendrix to contemporary players like Gary Clark Jr. Opened in 1989 , his key signature blue ball club is where you’re able to catch existent - life legends crushing it on stage . Between exercise set , peruse the relic - filled walls to get a better good sense of Chicago of yesteryear , examining Muhamed Ali ’s gloves , Buddy ’s Grammy , Jimmy Hendrix ’s scarf , Howlin Wolf ’s contracts , and even one of B.B. King ’s old guitars . And if you ’re wonder , “ Does Buddy Guy still hang out at Legends ? ” You ’ll be felicitous to know that , according to the site ’s FAQ , the answer is : “ If Buddy is in town , he can normally be tell apart at the bar . ”