2nd Wednesday Lecture: Great Migration Film + Community Discussion

In honor of the Great Migration Centennial, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, the Great Migration Centennial Commission and other West Side organizations are co-hosting the film Heading West: A History of African Americans on Chicago’s West Side. A documentary, the film illuminates how the biggest migration in American history brought a tidal wave of African Americans from the South, for over 100 years, many of whom settled on Chicago’s West side. Those migrants brought rich cultural traditions with them including agricultural and culinary practices, habits, skills and tastes which can be seen and understood in the gardens, farms and food-ways of many of today’s West side families. The film and discussion will connect viewers to the stories of that journey and those past and present day communities. After the film screening, we will have a panel discussion with west side residents who will enlighten us further.

Panelists for the post screening conversation include:

• Christopher R. Reed: Historian and Professor Emeritus – Roosevelt University
• Dr. Shemuel Israel: President of the North Lawndale Greening Committee
• Angela Taylor: Wellness Coordinator of the Garfield Park Community Council
• Patricia Jackson: Community Gardener of the Austin Green Team and Paradise Garden

This event is free and open to the public. We encourage you to reserve your space; we’ll have limited seating available for day of registration.