A century of black history showcased at Elgin festival
Families can learn about black history and culture this Saturday, Feb. 7, at Elgin's Black History Family Festival, set for 1 to 5 p.m. at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
The theme of the festival, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is "A Century of Black Life, History and Culture, Past, Present and Future."
Phyllis Folarin of Elgin, the founder and president of the festival, said the event was created in order to unite Elgin-area families from all ethnicities to celebrate the African American experience.
"The festival uses educational and cultural activities to promote literacy while providing a diverse, interactive and entertaining experience for all," Folarin said.
This year's enhanced festival will include a variety of performances, Folarin said.
"We have (Elgin Area School District) U-46's Read to Succeed students participating in a special dance program that was funded in part by Elgin's Palmer Foundation. We contracted with East Dundee's Culture of Africa for Kids Everywhere (C.A.K.E.), to work with these students to create a dance program to provide an enriching, artistic and creative way to experience literature.
"Children first read African literature and then worked with CAKE to develop a dance program. Dance can help raise a child's self-esteem and provide a way for African American students to connect with their heritage," Folarin said.
Other exhibits and performers will help visitors learn more about the black experience as well.
"Storyteller Linda Gorham will be back focusing on 'The Century of Black History, 1915-2005.' This will be phenomenal," Folarin said. "Sankofa Wax Museum will be presented by the youths of Second Baptist Church. A new band will provide entertainment as well as other musical performers. An exhibit titled, 'From our Neighborhood: Four Chicago Writers who Changed America' will be an outstanding addition to the festival."
At 2:15 p.m., several local students will be recognized for their accomplishments.
"We celebrate U-46's high school students as Future African American leaders who will be featured in a special video," Folarin said. "Middle School Rising Stars will also be recognized." Students to be honored include:
• High school: Tyler Awidsho, Raeven Brown, Trevon Flowers, Brittany Nicole Neloms, Deborah Ogunribido, Bryce Petty, Abigail Pierre-Louis, Alameer Temidayo Rosenje, Nadine Toussaint and Aaliyah Winters.
• Middle school: Kamarr N. Banks, Damaryan M. Benton, Marcos Camacho and Destiny Divine Jones.
Rounding out the day's offerings will be a poetry slam for high school students; kids' crafts; and displays by artists, authors, vendors and community organizations.
"I think participants appreciate learning about the African American experience," Folarin said.
"We work hard to develop a program that showcases the impact African Americans have had on a national, regional and local scale and use cultural art and education to do it. Participants from all cultural backgrounds enjoy it. The participants always look forward to storyteller Linda Gorham; however, I think the Read to Succeed students from Century Oaks School in Elgin will steal the show."
Folarin hopes families will come away from the festival with a sense of "how African Americans are integrated into the fabric of American life."
"We all can contribute to making our community a better place by learning all that we can about each other."
The festival is free. For details, visit www.gailborden.info.
If you go
What: Elgin Black History Family Festival, "A Century of Black Life, History and Culture: Past, Present and Future"
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
Where: Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin
Admission: free
Details: (847) 697-6770, ext. 207, or <a href="http://www.gailborden.info">www.gailborden.info</a>