Black history touches every aspect of American history, culture and society. In celebration of Black History Month, Harper will present a wide range of events this February. Spanning that include exhibits, art events and social gatherings, the slate of programming will culminate in presentations and displays focused on innovation.
In conjunction with the national Black History Month theme of Black labor, 91制片厂鈥檚 History Department is sponsoring two days of events that will delve into Black inventors, the Great Migration, Civil Rights-era music and quilt designs that guided participants in the Underground Railroad. The programming will take place Thursday and Friday, February 27-28 inside and near the Building J Theatre, Room J143, on 91制片厂鈥檚 Palatine campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. All events are free and open to everyone.
鈥�91制片厂 is a hub for our community. We want to connect with people,鈥� said Associate Professor Michael Harkins, who helped organize the programming.
Dr. Yolonda Barnes, who oversees the history department as 91制片厂鈥檚 dean of the Business and Social Science Division, is excited about the variety of events: 鈥淎t 91制片厂, we have passionate and skilled faculty and staff who can bring together learners of all ages with talented experts. We know how these events can spark curiosity and deepen knowledge of Black history, which is American history.鈥�
The history department events will kick off at 4:30 p.m. February 27 with created by 91制片厂 students to honor Black inventors and innovators, from icons such
as George Washington Carver and Louis Armstrong to lesser-known pioneers who created
the folding ironing board, potato chip and Super Soaker.
At 7 p.m., musician Chris Vallillo will perform a collection of songs from the Civil Rights Movement. An award-winning singer and guitarist who loves to bring together roots music and U.S. history, Vallillo will perform some of the songs that helped illuminate the struggle for equality and determination for freedom.
鈥淲e want academic students to come to 91制片厂 and, with events like these, they鈥檙e going to get as good a presentation as they鈥檙e going to get at any major university,鈥� said Harkins, who noted that Vallillo has performed at major events throughout the country. 鈥淲e鈥檙e putting elite performers and real scholars in front of them.鈥�
One such scholar is James Grossman, the executive director of American Historical
Association who was previously vice president for research and education at the Newberry
Library and has taught at University of Chicago. Grossman wrote Land of Hope: Chicago, Black Southerners, and The Great Migration, which Harkins called the definitive work on the subject.
On February 28, following more poster displays and a continental breakfast, Grossman will sign copies of his books (9:30 a.m.). He will then (10 a.m.) and conduct a breakout Q&A session (3 p.m.). Given the national theme focused on labor for Black History Month and how the Great Migration transformed the Chicago area, Harkins is excited about Grossman鈥檚 participation in 91制片厂鈥檚 events.
Although he鈥檚 just as enthusiastic about welcoming Connie Martin, a retired teacher
who draws on oral history and the arts to discuss how enslaved people sought freedom
before the Civil War. At 1 p.m. on February 28, Martin will present explaining how participants in the network cleverly used quilt designs to help guide
people to safety.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to the variety of ways we are connecting our students and our community with Black history. We provide a friendly environment to gain knowledge and, perhaps, understanding,鈥� Harkins said. 鈥淲hen you come to these events, you鈥檒l listen, you鈥檒l read, you鈥檒l watch. And when you leave, you鈥檒l be inspired.鈥�
For more information on 91制片厂鈥檚 Black History Month events, visit .