Celebrating Black History Month 2026
Chicago history is Black history. This month, join Chicago's public departments, cultural institutions, black-owned businesses, and our 48th ward community in celebration and education.
Honoring Rev. Jesse Jackson
Reverend Jesse Jackson was larger than life and deeply Chicago. You felt him in the cadence of a speech, in the conviction of a march, in the stubborn belief that we could do better than the world we inherited.
He expressed this conviction when he built the Rainbow PUSH Coalition at a time when few believedsuch a coalition was possible. Black, Brown, white, immigrant, working class, faith leaders, labor—he insisted we belonged in the same room, fighting for the same future.
He had this way of reminding us that hope isn’t soft. Hope is work. Hope is organizing. Hope is showing up again after you’ve been told no.
To the Jackson family: I’m holding you in prayer and in gratitude. Thank you for sharing him with Chicago and with the world.
If we want to honor Rev. Jackson, we can’t just quote him. We have to act. We have to protect voting rights. We have to fight poverty and racism like they’re urgent—because they are. We have to keep building coalitions across difference, especially when it’s hard.
That’s the work.
Rest in power, Rev. Jackson.
We’ll keep pushing.
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
48th Ward Alderwoman
48th Ward Black-Owned Business Guide
From restaurants to cafes to retail and more, the 48th Ward is full of incredible Black-owned businesses! Check out our 48th Ward Black-owned business guide on our blog. Notice any we missed? Fill out this form to let us know!
Honoring Buddy Guy at City Hall
Congratulations to Chicago Blues Legend Buddy Guy on his 90th birthday and 9th Grammy win forAin't Done with the Blues. Born in Louisiana, Buddy Guy moved to Chicago in 1957 and has continued to perform his music ever since, defining and redefining the genre many times over.Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth joined her colleagues in honoring Buddy Guy with a resolution at the February 18 City Council meeting. It was a joy to have Buddy Guy in the Chambers and to be able to present the honor in-person. Read the full resolution here.
Celebrate with the Chicago Public Library
This February, the African American Heritage Committee of the Chicago Public Library invites you to celebrate Black History Month in a monumental way! Their 2026 theme is "From Archives to Innovation: The Power of Black Librarianship" which highlights the social, critical, and cultural impact of Black librarians. See the CPL site for events, reading lists, and more!
Celebrate with the Chicago Park District
To celebrate Black History Month, the Chicago Park District has compiled a webpage with educational materials, historic leader spotlights, and events happening across the city's parks this month. Learn more here.
Choose Chicago: Ways to Celebrate Black History Month
Choose Chicago has compiled a list of ways to celebrate Black History Month in the city form art exhibits, to black owned businesses, to historic landmarks, and much more! The significance of Black history in Chicago has helped shape the city into a cultural and economic powerhouse. And there’s no better time to discover the fascinating details of this legacy than during the Black History Month celebration throughout the city. Learn more here.
Visit the DuSable Museum with the 48th Ward Museum Pass
The 48th ward office offers a free museum pass good for admission of four guests to participating museums and cultural institutions, including The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center (740 E 56th) To request the pass, fill out our online ward service request form and let us know what date(s) you plan to use it. You can also contact us via email (info@the48thward.org) or phone (773-784-5277) to ask about the museum pass.
