By Madhu Mayer
Communities in Will County are celebrating the accomplishments and heroism of African Americans during Black History Month.
Starting with a presentation of STAMP: A Story of Black America and U.S. Postage on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St. Times for the program in Joliet are 3 and 7:30 p.m., and the lobby will open one hour prior to the live theater production.
Admission is free. The show, produced by Weston, GSW Network, is set in 1947 when a group gathers regularly at a restaurant named STAMP, where they share stories and discussed world affairs. The patrons, who are Booker T. Washington, Bessie Smith, Martin Luther King, Patricia Roberts Harris, and Rosa Parks, all have one thing in common as they are all Black-Americans who have been featured on the U.S. postage stamp.
“Interesting stories and music bring the education of Black contribution to American society.” Also, on February 4th the Bolingbrook Black History Month Awareness Club will celebrate there 25th year with Awareness and understanding of African American Heritage with NBC and Award-Winning Journalist Dr. Art Norman as Master of Ceremony at Bolingbrook High School, 65 Raider Way, Bolingbrook.
Lockport will celebrate the occasion with a free event beginning at noon Sunday, Feb. 19, in Fairmont Community Center, 525 Barry Ave. The event honoring the contributions, triumphs, and legacy of Black people throughout history will feature an afternoon of games, raffles, food and more, sponsored by the Lockport Township Park District. The event does not require registration.
Keller Williams Realty Infinity in Plainfield, 11850 Route 59, will host a free networking event at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, that will connect local African American business owners with entrepreneurs in the community.
The event will allow attendees to “gain valuable insights and make lasting connections,” according to a spokesperson. Those who attend should be prepared to speak about their business and bring plenty of business cards, the spokesperson said.
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in American history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of Negro History Week, the brainchild of noted Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.
The story of Black History Month began in 1915, half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. It is normally celebrated the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of former President Abraham Lincoln and American abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. The event inspires schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances. Other countries around the world, Canada, and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.