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 Celebrate Black History Month in Evanston
Black History Month is an opportunity to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black Americans. In Evanston, there are many ways to celebrate, learn, and engage with the community throughout the year. Whether you’re interested in attending events, supporting Black-owned businesses, or exploring historical sites, here are some ways to make the most of Black History Month in Evanston:
Support Black-Owned Businesses
One of the best ways to honor Black History Month is by supporting Black entrepreneurs in Evanston. Here are a few local Black-owned businesses to check out:
YoFresh Cafe | Main Dempster Mile – Enjoy healthy smoothies and acai bowls while supporting a community-focused business.
C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor | Church & Dodge – A staple in Evanston, this shop offers delicious ice cream and grocery essentials.
Hecky’s Barbecue | Church & Dodge - A legendary Evanston institution that has been around since the 80s, when Hecky Powell and his wife, Cheryl, launched the restaurant around a family BBQ sauce recipe.
Claire's Korner | Church & Dodge - Savor the vibrant flavors of Jamaica at Claire's Korner, a cozy café in the Church & Dodge district. This spot, owned by Andrea Bhalai, offers an authentic taste of the Caribbean right here in Evanston.
Ebony Barber Shop | Church & Dodge - A must-visit, Ebony is the oldest Black-owned barber shop in Evanston.
Infinity & Me | Howard Street – This salon offers a variety of services from braids to extensions to wig making classes.
Stepping Out on Faith | Downtown - This secondhand store offers a variety of clothes, ranging from the designer brands to the basics.
Lash Squared | Maple Foster - Treat yourself to some new eyelash extensions at this salon nestled in the heart of the Maple/Foster district.
Visit Historical and Cultural Sites
Shorefront Legacy Center – Dedicated to preserving Black history on the North Shore, this archive is a must-visit for history buffs.
Dawes Park and the Evanston Lakeshore – Reflect on the contributions of Black Evanstonians in a peaceful setting along Lake Michigan.
Mason Park – Named after Lorraine H. Morton, Evanston’s first Black mayor, this park is a meaningful landmark in the city.
Twiggs Skate Park – Named after William H. Twiggs, a prolific business owner, historian, and vital part of Evanston’s history.
Attend a Community Event
Experience the vibrant history of Black culture and accomplishments by participating in local events and programming happening throughout the month.
Evanston is a wonderful place to live, work, and play because of our diverse community that continues to add so much richness to our lives. Build a deeper connection by engaging in Black History Month this year.
 Click to play video
Watch Now: "Neighborhood Walk" in Evanston
In her first "Neighborhood Walk" of the new year, Val Warner visits Evanston in her "ABC7 Chicago takeover" of the segment, as she was joined by veteran WLS-TV anchor/reporter Karen Jordan. Watch the full segment here.
 Sustain Evanston is back for 2025!
Sustain Evanston is back with its third round of funding! Evanston-based businesses who are interested in making sustainable improvements to their business or commercial properties, including clean energy and composting, are eligible for up to $25,000.
Interested in participating? Schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated Sustain Evanston team members to help you discover what improvements can be made, and which expenses are eligible.
Applications open on February 17. Email sustainability@cityofevanston.org with any questions.
 Experience Encore! Evanston in Downtown
Starting Tues., February 4, get ready for a fresh wave of free live music at some of Downtown Evanston's favorite local spots! Introducing Encore! Evanston, a dynamic new program brought to you by Downtown Evanston and Likhaya, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering artists through community and entrepreneurship. Don’t miss out on this exciting collaboration that brings incredible talent to downtown!
See below for upcoming events and start planning your weekends! You can find the full calendar of events on the Enjoy Evanston website.
Downtown Evanston
Central Street
Main-Dempster Mile
Ashland Arts
Noyes
West End
Enjoy Evanston
Have a upcoming event?
Help us add to our calendar! We encourage you to submit all your upcoming events through our website.
Please review the following submission guidelines:
- Only public events may be listed
- Cannot be solely retail in nature
- Cannot be solely religious or political in nature
- Cannot be solely fundraisers or networking events
- Should be leisure time or recreational activities
Event eligibility is also evaluated on a case-by-case basis. At this time, we are only able to accept event listings in English.
 Get to know Soul & Smoke
Chicago's favorite BBQ powerhouse and hidden soul food gem. “D’Andre Carter and Heather Bublick have slowly created a barbecue empire in Chicago”, says a recent Eater Chicago article describing Soul & Smoke as one of Chicago’s essential restaurants.
And while their Chicago locations are top-notch, it all began in Evanston’s Ashland Arts district. Stay tuned for their upcoming new restaurant space with indoor and outdoor seating coming soon!
Hot Tip: Cater all of your Black History Month events through Soul & Smoke for a little extra flavor.
 What do YOU enjoy about Evanston?
With ten unique business districts, there is something for everyone to enjoy! We want to hear about your faves. Tell us about your favorite places for health and fitness, your favorite store or art gallery to explore, or your favorite place to eat! Send us an email about your favorite spots at hello@enjoyevanston.com.
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