Chicago, IL

Du Sable Museum of African American History
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1961 by historian Dr Margaret Burroughs in honor of the African Frenchman, Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable, who founded the trading post that became Chicago; this site maintains more than 12,000 paintings, sculptures and memorabilia that preserve and interpret the historical experiences and achievements of African-Americans; seasonal workshops and lectures present works by various artists and historic events; recently the museum featured a one-of-kind blacks in basketball exhibit; the Joe Louis exhibit and other permanent exhibits are in the Harold Washington Wing round out this uplifting museum; rotating exhibits are often extraordinary, the Harold Washington Theater is also a small gem for performing arts; gift shop
ADMISSION: fee
PARKING: on premises
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 740 East 56th Place in Washington Park  MAP
TRANSIT: Garfield-Green CTA station
PHONE: 773-947-0600
WEBSITE: http://www.dusablemuseum.org

Jazz Institute of Chicago
DESCRIPTION: Located in the Fine Arts Building, Romanesque structure built in 1885, this institute is the source to find all things jazz in Chicago; a ballet company and other performing arts companies share the building
ADMISSION: appt only
PARKING: garage nearby
ADDRESS: 410 South Michigan Ave  MAP
TRANSIT: Harold Washington Library CTA station
PHONE: 312-427-1676
WEBSITE: http://www.jazzinstituteofchicago.org

Bryant Ballet
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1990 by Homer Hans Bryant, former principal dancer with the Dance Theater of Harlem and director of DTH’s professional training program and Workshop Ensemble; the ballet is dedicated to providing dance opportunities for young people of all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds; in Chicago Multi-cultural Dance Center; call for classes
ADMISSION: appt only
PARKING: garage nearby
ADDRESS: 805 South Plymouth Court  MAP
TRANSIT: Harrison CTA station
PHONE: 312-461-0030
WEBSITE: http://www.cmdcschool.com

Chess Records Building / Blues Heaven
DESCRIPTION: Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, Ramsey Lewis, James Moody, Ahmad Jamal, Kenny Burrell, Sonny Stitt and the after Leonard and Phil Chess bought out Aristocrat records and changed the name to Chess Records in 1950; not racial progressive, the Chess brothers made even the biggest black artists enter through the back stairs and obtain permission to access the floor containing the Chess Brothers offices; Willie Dixon, the composer-in-residence, authored more than 500 songs, many of which were sung by a Who’s Who of major artists; Minnie Ripperton worked here as a receptionist; Blues Heaven Foundation, founded by the late Willie Dixon to promote blues education in schools help blues artists collect royalties, is located in the restored Chess Records studio; silhouettes on the fence represent from left to right, Bo Diddley, Albert King and Koko Taylor; during warm weather Blues musicians perform on the garden stage; inside the building, where the loved and loathed Chess Brothers used to press, package and ship records, are various memorabilia and tributes to the performers and music created here
ADMISSION: fee
PARKING: street
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:30a-5:30p
ADDRESS: 2120 South Michigan Ave  MAP
TRANSIT: Cermak-Chinatown CTA station
PHONE: 312-808-1286
WEBSITE: http://www.bluesheaven.com

Harpo Studios
DESCRIPTION: Home of the Oprah Winfrey Show, this state-of-the-art film and TV production center is the only one owned by an African American woman; Oprah Winfrey is still seen by 15-20 million viewers around the globe and was the highest rated talk show in history; the building was formerly a US armory, roller rink and streetcar barn until purchased and renovated in 1988; requests for tickets should be made one month in advance
ADMISSION: free, but tickets must be obtained in advance
PARKING: garage nearby + street
ADDRESS: 1058 West Washington Blvd  MAP
TRANSIT: a brisk walk west from Metra Oglive Transportation Center
PHONE: 312-633-1000 audience reservations
WEBSITE: http://www2.oprah.com/tows/program

Michael Jordan Statue
DESCRIPTION: A soaring tribute to the person widely acknowledged as the world’s greatest basketball player who wears 6 NBA championship rings and multiple comebacks; is located on the eastern side of the United Center
PARKING: on premises
ADDRESS: 1901 West Madison Street  MAP
TRANSIT: Illinois Medical District CTA station
PHONE: 312-455-4500

Martin Luther King Drive
DESCRIPTION: By trekking the Bronzeville Walk of Fame on foot from 25th to 47th Street, you will see dozens of inlaid bronze plaques on brick sidewalks at major intersections; the plaques honor famous Bronzeville residents such as Mae Jamison, Joe Louis, Sammy Davis, Jr., Mahalia Jackson for their valor and historic achievement; the large bronze street map of Bronzeville inlaid at 35th Street, it lists over 120 historic sites in the extended area of Bronzeville bounded by 25th, State, King, and 47th Street; on the east side of the 4700 block you will encounter the original Royal Theatre and Savoy Ballroom sites which rivaled the Apollo Theatre and Savoy Ballroom in Harlem (now a parking structure); this grand drive also serves as the Bud Billiken Parade route each August; more than 65 years old, it has grown to become one of the nation's top five parades
PARKING: street
ADDRESS: runs from West Cermak Road to the length of the Southside  MAP
TRANSIT: 43rd Street, Indiana Ave, 47th Street or 51st Street CTA stations

Monument to the Great Northern Migration
DESCRIPTION: Dedicated in 1996, Allison Saar created this tall bronze-colored statue of a hatted man with suitcase; it honors tens of thousands of African Americans who migrated in the early 20th century from the brutally racist South to settle in Chicago; the statue still walks northbound
PARKING: street
ADDRESS: Martin Luther King Drive between 25th and 26th Streets  MAP
TRANSIT: 27th Street Metra station

Victory Monument for the Eighth Regiment
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1926 this granite shaft has inset bronze panels with a shiny patina; an African American WWI soldier stands on top, and the Columbia patriotic figure holding a tablet which lists the regiment’s principal battles; there is a ceremony here every Memorial Day to honor the “Fighting Eighth” Regiment
PARKING: street
ADDRESS: Martin Luther King Drive at 35th Street  MAP
TRANSIT: a brisk walk east from 35-Bronzeville-IIT CTA station

Harold Washington Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2004, it’s the new heart of Bronzeville; the 40,000 square foot center is named for Chicago’s first Black mayor, who grew up in the neighborhood; a sculpture of Harold by Ed Dwight adorns the front corner; the much needed 1,000 seat performing arts theater is state of the art; Digital Media Resources Center, the Music Business & Performance Arts Institute, and the Radio-Television Broadcast Program are tremendous in-house resources for students to access and experience; an worthy statue of Harold Washington stands on its corner
ADMISSION: event-based fees, otherwise by appt
PARKING: street
ADDRESS: 4701 Martin Luther King Drive  MAP
TRANSIT: 47th-Green CTA station
PHONE: 773-924-5156
WEBSITE: http://www.haroldwashingtonculturalcenter.com

Little Black Pearl
DESCRIPTION: Founded by Monica Haslip in 1996, this art school teaches the business of art to kids in the Southside – what a jewel; founded in her basement and today grown into a 40,000 square foot facility, it houses a two-story atrium for special events, art studios for woodworking, glass-blowing, welding, painting, mosaics, pottery and photography, Chase Kid’s Café, a gallery and retail store; broadening its mission in response to community needs, this cultural arts center also provides opportunities for entrepreneurship and adult classes
ADMISSION: free + fees for some events
PARKING: street
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-9p, Sat 10a-3p
ADDRESS: 1060 East 47th Street  MAP
TRANSIT: 47th Street Metra station
PHONE: 773-285-1211
WEBSITE: http://www.blackpearl.org

Southside Community Arts Center
DESCRIPTION: Since its dedication in 1941 by Eleanor Roosevelt in the Old Comiskey Mansion, the center has been an important artistic contributor to Bronzeville; classes include pottery, painting, drawing, and photography; open Wed-Sun; access to gallery is free, fees for classes
ADMISSION: free
PARKING: street
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Fri Noon-5p, Sat 9a-5p, Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 3831 South Michigan Ave  MAP
TRANSIT: Indiana CTA station
PHONE: 773-373-1026
WEBSITE: http://www.southsidecommunityartcenter.com

Bronzeville Academy & Military Museum
DESCRIPTION: Named in honor of Brigadier General Richard L Jones who commanded the 178th Regiment from 1947-1953; due to discrimination in America, the 178th, the only infantry unit completely staffed by Black officers, was designated the 370th and attached to the French army during WWI; under Jones leadership the 178th earned the French Croix de Guerre for valor; formerly the 8th Regiment Armory before a $15 million facelift completed, the 80 year old facility now serves as a high school ROTC academy and a national museum of African Americans in the US military
ADMISSION: donation requested
PARKING: street
ADDRESS: 3519 South Giles Ave  MAP
TRANSIT: 35-Bronzeville-IIT CTA station
PHONE: 773-534-9750
WEBSITE: http://www.chicagomilitaryacademy.org

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Headquarters
DESCRIPTION: Led by Ethel Hedgeman and 8 other students at Howard University this sorority was founded 1908; Nellie Quander and her associates expanded to a national organization in 1912; the sorority serves all mankind through more than 140,000 women in over 860 chapters; located in a multi-story structure in Hyde Park
ADMISSION: appt only
PARKING: street
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30a-5p
ADDRESS: 5656 South Stony Island Ave  MAP
TRANSIT: 55th-56th-57th Streets Metra station
PHONE: 773-684-1282
WEBSITE: http://www.aka1908.com

Muntu Dance Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1972; Muntu strives to create an atmosphere of communal participation with its audiences while performing authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music, and folklore; core programs include professional performances both at home and abroad, comprehensive public and professional training for emerging new young artists
ADMISSION: appt only
PARKING: street
OFFICE ADDRESS: 7127 South Ellis Avenue  MAP
TRANSIT: Stony Island Metra station or 75th Street-Grand Crossing Metra station
PHONE: 773-241-6080
WEBSITE: http://www.muntu.com

South Shore Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: A restored former country club, the center features high quality cultural programs throughout the year – Real Men Cook, Paul Robeson Theatre Series, Chicago Sinfonetta, Jazz Festival, and Gospel Festival to name a few
ADMISSION: free + fees for some events
PARKING: on premises
ADDRESS: 7100 South Shore Drive  MAP
TRANSIT: South Shore Metra station
PHONE: 773-747-2536
WEBSITE: http://www.hydepark.org/parks/southshore/sscc1.html

ETA Creative Arts Foundation
DESCRIPTION: Cultural home for many Griots and playwrights, this is the only African American owned performing arts and training complex in Chicago; call for classes and events
ADMISSION: free + fees for some events
PARKING: street
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 7558 South Chicago  MAP
TRANSIT: 75th Street-Grand Crossing Metra station
PHONE: 773-752-3955
WEBSITE: http://www.etacreativearts.org

Carter G. Woodson Library
DESCRIPTION: Perhaps there is no more fitting way to honor the Father of Negro History, than to include one of the largest caches of African American historical documents & literature in the nation -- the Vivian Harsh Collection; Harsh was the first African American woman to head the Chicago Public Library; she collected nearly 70,000 works, with substantial coverage on the works by Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps
ADMISSION: free
PARKING: street
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 10a-8p, Fri-Sat 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 9525 South Halsted Street  MAP
TRANSIT: Longwood Metra station
PHONE: 773-747-6910
WEBSITE: http://www.chipublib.org/002branches/woodson/woodson.html

A Philip Randolph - Pullman Porter Museum
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1995 by Lyn Hughes, this multi-story museum and gallery located in the historic Pullman District features African American Railroad employee photographic exhibits and artifacts; the museum is named for A. Philip Randolph, civil rights activist and co-founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters; 1937 was a year of firsts for The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (1) America's 1st and largest Black-controlled union, (2) first union admitted to the AFL as a full member, and (3) first Black union to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with a major corporation -- the Pullman Company; that agreement revolutionized African American labor and kick-started the Civil Rights Movement
ADMISSION: fee
PARKING: on premises + street
DAYS & HOURS: Thu-Sat 11a-4p
ADDRESS: 10406 South Maryland Ave  MAP
TRANSIT: 103rd Street-Rosemoor Metra station
PHONE: 773-928-3935
WEBSITE: http://www.aphiliprandolphmuseum.org