Celebrate.
Commemorate.
Collaborate.
A citywide celebration of Black culture, freedom, and community.
JUNE 12-21|2026
What is Black Culture Week?
Black Culture Week is a demonstration project designed to prove a concept called Black Culture Wellness—a theory of transformation rooted in the lived experiences, values, and self-determined principles of the Black community.
We believe that when culture is expressed authentically and supported intentionally, it leads to long-term health, wealth, and well-being.
With Juneteenth as our cultural anchor, Black Culture Week brings this vision to life through a week of events, activations, and shared experiences across Chicago.
How to Participate
Join us in making Black Culture Week a citywide success.
Celebrate
Share something dope.
Highlight Black people, Black communities, Black innovators, Black resilience, and Black success. Submit your content—we’ll verify it and amplify it across our platforms.
Commemorate
Promote your event.
Hosting something for Juneteenth or Black Culture Week? Add it to the official citywide calendar. Submit your event details and imagery—we’ll help get the word out.
Collaborate
Build with others.
Looking for partners, artists, vendors, or organizers? Let us know. We’ll help facilitate connections or plug you into the broader network.
Featured Events
Don't miss these anchor experiences across Chicago.
Juneteenth Black Culture Week Car Caravan
Start: A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum
End: Garfield Park Community Plaza
Kick off Black Culture Week with a citywide caravan celebrating the beauty, creativity, and resilience of the Black community.
Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
Join the Chicago Juneteenth Planning Coalition and the City of Chicago for the official Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony.
Juneteenth Youth Olympics in Historic North Pullman
Location: Gately Stadium Park
810 E. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60615
Join the National A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum and Chi Ball Youth League for a sports-based fun day that includes a New Orleans style second line street parade, track and field events, basketball, football, and more.
Moments of Joy
Glimpses into past celebrations of Black freedom, wellness, and culture.
Event Directory
Discover community events happening during Black Culture Week.
Legends Chicago Festival
Global street food. Icon energy. Legends takeover at Grant Park. Get ready for a vegan feast headlined by Busta Rhymes, 2 Chainz & more.
Bronzeville's 6th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrating resilience, culture, and the power of living life fully - honoring the strength of the past while uplifting us today.
Black Yacht Weekend: Juneteenth Kickoff
A high energy party at Vertiport Chicago.
Grand Opening for the Obama Presidential Center
General public tickets will go on sale in May 2026.
Juneteenth Family Festival of Beverly/Morgan Park
This large-scale festival features live African drumming, dance performances, and a marketplace with over 80 Black-owned businesses. It also provides community health screenings and educational workshops for all ages.
10th Annual Juneteenth Black Bar Crawl
This milestone 10th-anniversary event celebrates Black-owned nightlife and hospitality across the city. It offers a curated social experience designed to support local entrepreneurs while fostering community connection.
Afro Fusion Rooftop Day Party: Juneteenth Edition
This high-energy event blends Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, and Reggae to celebrate the global influence of Black music. It provides a sophisticated rooftop atmosphere for guests to connect through dance and international culture.
Run Juneteenth Day 5K/10K/Half Marathon
This athletic celebration invites participants to run or walk in honor of resilience, freedom, and community progress. The event includes a 1-mile fun run and a "virtual" option for those who cannot attend in person.
Black Men's Wellness Day Chicago
This health-focused gathering offers free screenings and wellness resources specifically tailored to Black men and their families. The day combines community advocacy with fitness to promote long-term health equity.
Juneteenth Celebration: South Holland
A suburban celebration featuring live music, cultural displays, and arts and crafts in a family-oriented park setting. It serves as a dedicated space for the Southland community to honor African American history together.
Jam Session: Juneteenth Weekend
This Father's Day/Juneteenth finale blends the energy of a live band with a DJ-led nightlife atmosphere. It features live covers of classic R&B and Hip-Hop hits to close out the holiday weekend in style.
Oak Park Juneteenth Community Cookout
A community-wide gathering that features a traditional cookout, live entertainment, and family activities. It serves as the primary social centerpiece for the Village's week-long Juneteenth observance.
Moor’s Beer Emancipation Ball 2026
5-year anniversary celebration featuring music by Lo Down Loretta Brown (aka Erykah Badu). This is a premium event experience with a community focus.
Juneteenth Black Culture Week Car Caravan
Kick off Black Culture Week with a citywide caravan celebrating the beauty, creativity, and resilience of the Black community.
Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
Join the Chicago Juneteenth Planning Coalition and the City of Chicago for the official Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony.
Juneteenth Youth Olympics in Historic North Pullman
Join the National A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum and Chi Ball Youth League for a sports-based fun day that includes a New Orleans style second line street parade, track and field events, basketball, football, and more.
Miss Juneteenth Chicago
A scholarship pageant for young ladies aged 8 to 18 highlighting poise, talent and oratory skills.
Lead Stewards
The organizations guiding the vision of Black Culture Week.
Institute for Culture Wellness (ICW)
ICW educates and implements Culture Wellness as a theory of transformation for individuals, communities, and institutions.
Founded by Tewodros Josef (TJ) Crawford, in partnership with Dr. Karen Taylor-Crawford, ICW is committed to improving health, wealth, and well-being in ways that are authentic to the communities it serves.
Chicago Juneteenth Planning Coalition (CJPC)
A coalition of Black community leaders and organizers working to promote impactful, educational, and celebratory Juneteenth events across Chicago.
With representation from the North Side, West Side, and Far South Side, CJPC is building a more collaborative and unified citywide celebration each year.
Get Involved
Help us bring Black Culture Week to life.
Become a Sponsor
Support the movement.
We’re seeking financial, resource, and service partners to help bring Black Culture Week to life.
Become a SponsorJoin the Host Committee
Shape the vision.
Join our Host Committee to help guide the future of Black Culture Week and connect with other leaders.
Join the Host CommitteeBecome a Partner
Co-create with us.
Work with ICW and CJPC to produce events and activations that elevate Black culture and community.
Become a PartnerJoin the Movement
Submit your event, share content, or start a collaboration.