Black Educational Events in Joliet, IL

Join Black Educational Events in Joliet, IL providing educational opportunities for your community. These events offer learning experiences that honor cultural heritage while helping members of the Black community develop new skills and knowledge.

10th Annual Chicago Black College Expo™

Celebrity Kel Mitchell presents 10th Annual Chicago Black College Expo, Meet over 50 HBCUs and other colleges. Get ACCEPTED! NEW LOCATION! Actor Comedian Kel Mitchell Presents the 10th Annual Chicago Black College Expo™ Saturday March 20th 10am to 2:00pm! at a NEW LOCATION: Columbia College Chicago. Come meet with colleges, including HBCUs. Students and College Transfer Students bring plenty of copies of your Transcript to Get Accepted on The Spot! Attend informative seminars on Financial Aid and Scholarships. HOW to START a BUSINESS! The 411 for the Student Athlete, REAL TALK…. College vs High School. Whether you're a High School Student or a COLLEGE Transfer Student, or an underclassman, this expo is for the whole family. Even if you are an Adult Learner looking for opportunities, you can find it at the Black College Expo.

Saturday, 20, 10.00 - Saturday, 20, 14.00 Chicago, IL _$25

BBFF'26 Presents Pocket Cinema W/Coquie Hughes

Turn your smartphone into a filmmaking tool with Chicago filmmaker Coquie Hughes in this hands-on cinematic storytelling workshop. Included with Festival & Day Passes! Saturday, July 25 | 11:30 AM Learn the basics of smartphone filmmaking, including storytelling, cinematography, editing, and sound. *Workshop-only attendees are welcome to attend with a suggested donation.*

Saturday, 25, 11.30 - Saturday, 25, 12.30 Chicago, IL _$25

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Engineering Explorers Summer Camp 2026

Get ready to dive into cool engineering projects and make new friends this summer at a fun hands-on camp! Join the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) – Chicago Professionals Chapter for our Engineering Explorers Summer Camp! This week-long program provides students with a hands-on introduction to engineering through interactive, project-based learning. Participants will work in teams to design, build, test, and refine projects while being guided by STEM professionals and volunteers. Designed for 3rd–8th grade students, the camp runs daily from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with lunch provided. The week will conclude with a final showcase where students present their projects. Space is limited—register today! *** Registration for this session ends July 6, 2026 or once all spots are filled, whichever occurs first. *** NSBE Mission: "To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community." NSBE-Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For donations to support our STEM Programs, please add ticket type "Support NSBE-Chicago STEM Programs" to your order.

Monday, 20, 09.00 - Friday, 24, 14.00 Chicago, IL _$25

Black History Future Folk Symposium: Dunham & the Diaspora

A FREE 2-day Chicago symposium celebrating Katherine Dunham & the Diaspora through a keynote address, performances, panels & workshops!! Old Town School of Folk Music is hosting its 3rd annual Black History Future Folk Symposium. Produced by our Community Ventures Department, each year this symposium draws inspiration from the definition of folk music provided by Folk Alliance International: “Folk is the music of the people, reflective of any community where they are from.” The theme for 2026 is Katherine Dunham and the African Diaspora. Focusing on the prolific Chicago legacy of Katherine Dunham, this free two-day Symposium will invite participants of all ages to participate in open, accessible, and rigorous discussions about the intersections of Black history, liberated futures, and folk practices. Through presentations, panel discussions, participatory workshops, and performances, 2026’s Symposium will cultivate fertile ground for deep theoretical and embodied understandings of afro-diasporic dance and music. SCHEDULE Friday, April 17, 2026 • 6:00 - 8:30 PM 📍 Old Town School Lincoln Square Campus – Myron R. Szold Concert Hall | 4545 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60625 6:00–7:15 PM • Opening Keynote Speaker: Heather Beal 7:30–8:30 PM • Dunham from Haiti to New Orleans Opening Performance: Featuring Tamboula & the Windy City Ramblers with choreography by Stacy “Jukeboxx” Letrice & Daniel Desir

Friday, 17, 18.00 - Friday, 17, 20.30 Chicago, IL _$25

Black Writers Weekend 2026 The Pop Up Experience - Chicago

✈️ CHI bound! Join us at Da Book Joint for a Dear Black Writers screening and networking. Black Writers Weekend Pop-Up is an intimate creative gathering designed to celebrate and connect Black storytellers across disciplines. This special event features an exclusive screening of Dear Black Writers, a dynamic artist panel with creatives from books, film, and media, and a curated creative mixer for meaningful networking. The pop-up creates space for conversation, collaboration, and community—bringing writers and creatives together to share insights, exchange ideas, and build lasting connections in a supportive, inspiring environment.

Saturday, 23, 17.00 - Saturday, 23, 21.00 Chicago, IL _$25