The Black Ensemble Theatre Black Ensemble Theater (BE), Founded in 1976 by the phenomenal actress, producer, and playwright Jackie Taylor, has grown from a small community arts organization to a vibrant nationally and internationally renowned arts institution. A leader and innovator in the African-American and mainstream arts communities, Black Ensemble Theater is recognized as one of the most diverse theaters in the country, producing excellent musical theater. On November 18, 2011, BE celebrated the Grand Opening of the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, the theater’s first permanent home located at 4450 N. Clark Street, in the heart of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater is to eradicate racism and its damaging effects upon our society through the utilization of theater arts. BE is the only theater in the nation whose mission is to eradicate racism. We utilize theater and educational outreach programs to bring races together in a community which embraces similarities and fosters dialogue, understanding, and acceptance. 4450 N Clark Chicago, IL 60640 773-769-4451 |
Located on the first floor of the Bronzeville Artist Lofts, Gallery Guichard features a rotating collection of works from numerous global artists including Danny Simmons, brother of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons; Abiola Akintola, and Roger Carter. Commanding as much respect as Michigan Avenue in the community, owners Andre Guichard, Frances Guichard, and Stephen Mitchell, opened the gallery in 2005 with the mission to expose patrons to multicultural artists specializing in the African Diaspora. Through fine art exhibitions, experiential events, and art tours, Gallery Guichard gives emerging underrepresented talent an opportunity to develop their imagination and creativity. This 4,000 square-foot gallery is the ideal place for diverse people and cultures to connect and think outside the box -- even at sea! In 2013 and 2014, Gallery Guichard was named the official art gallery of Tom Joyner’s Fantastic Voyage. During the cruise in 2014, they raised more money for the foundation through art sales than any previous year. In 2011, six of Andre Guichard’s original paintings were featured on canvas totes as part of Walgreens Community Corner program. The totes were sold in 7500 stores nationwide. The gallery currently merchandises art-inspired tote bags and journals for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gallery Guichard offers a range of fine art services, including hosting exhibitions, artist talks, framing, crating, shipping, and moving. Corporate clients like Walgreens, Morgan Stanley, Northern Trust, ConAgra, ComEd, and Granger have enlisted their services. Meanwhile, community partners such as the Chicago Defender and the Chicago Urban League continue to maintain a deep relationship with the gallery in an effort to promote imagination and creativity throughout Chicago. Gallery Guichard has proven itself as the safe haven for fine art enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in rich culture that touches the soul! 436 East 47th Street Chicago, IL 60653 773-791-7003 |
The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum was founded in 1995 by Dr. Lyn Hughes. The facility is located in the Historic Pullman District in Chicago Illinois. On February 19, 2015 President Barack Obama designated the Historic Pullman district a National Monument that is now a part of the National Park Service. The museum is named after men who made history – Asa Philip Randolph and Pullman Porters, the men who made up the membership of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) union. Randolph was the chief organizer and co-founder of the BSCP, the first African-American labor union in the country to win a collective bargaining agreement. Under Randolph’s leadership, the Pullman Porters fought a valiant battle for employment equality with the corporate giant, the Pullman Rail Car Company. Their pioneering efforts created the first bona-fide union for the African American worker. This victorious struggle in America’s early labor movement was also the doorway through which many civil rights gains were made. The NAPRPPM is locally recognized as a historic site and is a unique addition to the tourism sites of the Pullman community of Chicago, Illinois. The Museum is also nationally recognized as a valuable and unique African-American museum. The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter museum pays tribute to one of the most influential African-American leaders in history. A. Philip Randolph redefined American labor, American democracy, and American society, during a time when it was unsafe and unpopular. Randolph demanded that African-American people be fully and equally included in American society. A. Philip Randolph was an articulate, intelligent, and fair leader who devoted decades of his life to his vision of a more moral and civilized American society. A Philip Randolph was a great man, a great humanitarian, and a great American. 817 E. 104th Street 104th Street (Between Corliss and Maryland) Chicago, IL 60628 773-850-8580 |
Founded in 1961 by teacher and art historian Dr. Margaret Burroughs and other leading Chicago citizens, the DuSable Museum is one of the few independent institutions of its kind in the United States. The Museum was developed to preserve and interpret experiences and achievements of people of African descent. The Museum is dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation, and study of the history and culture of Africans and African Americans. The DuSable Museum is proud of its diverse holdings that number more than 15,000 pieces and include paintings, sculpture, print works and historical memorabilia. Special exhibitions, workshops and lectures are featured to highlight works by particular artists, historical events or collections on loan from individuals or institutions. Chicago is a city rich in African-American History, and the Museum’s namesake comes from Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, a Haitian of African and French descent, who in 1779 established the trading post and permanent settlement which would become known as Chicago. The DuSable Museum remains a community institution dedicated to serving the cultural and educational needs of our members. Our research, curatorial and educational divisions are committed to listening and responding to these needs, as well as the ever-increasing demands of art and cultural historians, and patrons nationwide. 740 East 56th Place Chicago, IL 60637 773-947-0600 Permanent exhibits at the DuSable Museum include: “A Slow Walk to Greatness: The Harold Washington Story,“ “Paintings / Drawings / Sculptures: Masterpieces from the DuSable Museum Collection,“ “Red, White, Blue & Black: A History of Blacks in the Armed Forces“ and “Africa Speaks.” Programming for families and children includes musical performances, film festivals, arts and crafts workshops, lectures, book signings, and special events. |
