The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Village hosts inaugural Black History Month Honors Celebration

Photo Gallery | Watch the Black History Month Honors Celebration

Feb. 23, 2023 - Members of the Oak Park's vibrant community gathered together on Saturday, Feb. 18 at The Nineteenth Century Club for the Village's inaugural Black History Month Honors Celebration.

The event was planned by Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Dr. Danielle Walker, and executed with assistance from several Village staff and community members. The family-friendly event featured food, entertainment, speakers, fellowship and more. The Black History Month Honors Celebration was designed to honor five areas or themes: history, youth, voice, resistance and solidarity.

Following opening music provided by Gabriel Datcu, guests listened to opening remarks from Walker and Village Manager Kevin Jackson. The full program is listed below:

Honoring History

Speaker: Frank Lipo, Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest

Performance by: Windy Indie, violinist

Honoring Youth

Speaker: Lynda Parker, Oak Park and River Forest High School

Performance by: Kuumba Kids

Honoring Voice

Speaker: Jeronimo Speaks, community activist

Performance by: Spoken word by Jeronimo Speaks with Vai Shakoor and Big Ceno

Remarks

Speaker: Vicki Scaman, Oak Park Village Board President

Honoring Resistance

Speaker: Juanta Griffin, Oak Park Public Library

Performance by: Mara Love, singer

Honoring Solidarity

Speaker: Dot Roche, Race Conscious Dialogues

Performance by: M. Taylor and Kaben Kafö

Watch the entire Black History Month Honors Celebration below: