In honor of the Great Migration centennial, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, the Great Migration Centennial Commission and other West Side groups will show the film Heading West: A History of African Americans on Chicago’s West Side from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 8th at Garfield Park Conservatory.
The film illuminates how the biggest migration in American history brought a tidal wave of African Americans from the South 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 that can be seen and understood in the gardens, farms and food 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, a panel discussion with West Side residents will be held.
Panelists for the post-screening conversation include:
- Christopher R. Reed, historian and professor emeritus at 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 at the Austin Green Team and Paradise Garden
Register here for the free event.