Our History Matters

https://www.wbez.org/theater-stages/2025/05/27/she-who-dared-chicago-opera-theatre-jasmine-barnes-deborah-deep-mouton?utm_source=Newsletter_Weekly-Member&utm_medium=WBEZEmail&utm_campaign=News_Newsletter_Weekly-Rundown_News_20250531&utm_content=5/31/2025&DE=WBEZEmail

How to honor the Black women who resisted before Rosa Parks? In song, naturally The Civil Rights-era ‘She Who Dared,’ likely the first professionally staged opera by Black women, premieres June 3 in Chicago.

We are a creating an annual event to celebrate the legacy of Ida B Wells and the community she served. Please share and join us on June 28 in Bronzeville.

https://share.newsbreak.com/bgsgj7tw

Rare portraits reveal the humanity of the slaves who revolted on the Amistad - NewsBreak (The Conversation) – On the night of July 1, 1839, 53 enslaved Africans revolted aboard the slaving schooner La Amistad – Spanish for “Friendship” – while

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/eatonville-the-history-and-legacy-of-america-s-first-all-black-incorporated-town/ar-AA1olsO5?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=ENTPSP&cvid=1486a9e01b5b45ec845e055e2c2103c1&ei=25

Eatonville was first, but Illinois' New Philadelphia is now a National Monument
https://www.nps.gov/neph/index.htm

New Philadelphia National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) To a casual observer, New Philadelphia looked like a typical Illinois pioneer town. But a closer look revealed a unique and racially diverse community. New Philadelphia was the first US town platted and registered by an African American. A formerly enslaved man, Free Frank McWorter, founded New Phil...

https://www.blackhistoryheroes.com/2010/02/supreme-liberty-life-insurance-co.html

African Americans in the Insurance Business: Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Co. Photo: Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Co. Chicago 15, Illinois Multigraph Division, Stock Room, HOME OFFICE (ca. 1950, postcard) The Suprem...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/other/south-carolina-selects-first-monument-at-statehouse-to-honor-an-african-american-hero/vi-BB1raU3E?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=72d5af26e4174f27b89ecc903b174b55&ei=46

South Carolina selects first monument at statehouse to honor an African American hero South Carolina selects first monument at statehouse to honor an African American hero

Black History Month resources

It's the weekend we have all been excited about. https://printersrowlitfest.org/ Please stop by the Chicago Black Authors Network Tent LL, near Polk this time.

Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area will have a booth at the DNC DemPalooza next week August 19-22 at McCormick Place 9-5 each day. It's open to the public, so please stop by booth 210.

This week's cool tour was with Tom Shepherd and Larry McClellan and the Ford Plant Union folks touring Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area. I loved it that they brought their kids to learn along side them. Great questions and discoveries. Thanks Tom and Larry for inviting me.

Look who's celebrating a successful Ida B. Wells Festival. Save the date June 28, 2025 for the 4th Annual Festival in Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area!