Fifth Annual Ida B. Wells Festival: Celebrating Bronzeville

Join us on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Illinois Tech’s Michael Paul Galvin Tower for an afternoon of community engagement, education, and dialogue as part of the Fifth Annual Ida B. Wells Festival: Celebrating Bronzeville.

From noon–3 p.m., explore the Community Forum Meet and Greet, where you can connect with businesses and organizations that serve and strengthen the Bronzeville community.

At 3 p.m., attend “The Long Fight to Gain and Retain Voting Rights,” a timely panel discussion featuring Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Devorah Crable, Anthony D. Douglas II, and Thomas Fisher. Co-hosted by WCPT 820AM and moderated by Richard Chew, the conversation will examine the history of voting rights in America, current challenges to ballot access, and the importance of civic engagement in preserving our democracy.

The day will conclude at 5 p.m. with a screening of I Bear Witness: The Untold Stories of American Race Riots. Led by filmmaker and historian Tiffany Lee, the program explores the lasting impact of race riots in America and invites participants to engage in thoughtful discussion and interactive exercises that promote empathy, understanding, and reflection.