CTU teaches Black history all year long!
At a time when the teaching of historical truth is under attack in cities and states across the country, it is more essential than ever that we affirm the importance of Black history here in Chicago. Black History month events and materials provide an opportunity to bring into focus this history that’s essential for students year round.
Calendar listing
Here’s a full list of events for the Black Lives Matter @ School Week of Action as well as what else is happening around the CTU during the rest of Black History Month.
Black Lives Matter @ School Week EventTues., Feb. 7, 6 pm: Reimagining School Safety Virtual Roundtable (register). Join student and educator activists for an action-oriented discussion of current approaches to safety in schools, their problems, and how we can reimagine safety to unapologetically center and support Black lives among our students, families and communities.
- Black Lives Matter @ School Week Event
Thurs., Feb. 9, 4:45 pm: Preview screening of the Peacock Original documentary “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks” (register), CTU Center, 1901 W. Carroll Ave. Organized in coordination with the Zinn Education Project, the event will include a reception followed by the screening at 5:15 and a short discussion.
- Mon., Feb. 13, 5:30 pm: We Care Conversation workshop, Antiracist Work as Union Work (register), online. Engaging in antiracist work during this historical moment is not only advantageous, but essential to the vitality of our Union—and the labor movement. Dr. Monique Redeaux — a CTU member working at the Illinois Federation of Teachers — will present this discussion, in which we will highlight locals, councils, and chapters across the state that are actively engaging in antiracist, equity work in a variety of ways. We will learn about how they began their work, how they have organized and mobilized more members, and how they are overcoming the challenges that inevitably come with prioritizing racial justice.
- Wed., Feb. 15, 5 pm: Panel discussion, More Love, Less Trauma (register), 1901 W. Carroll Ave. This discussion will be an opportunity to hear about people’s experiences and to propose concrete solutions and demands to address widespread trauma in Chicago.
- Thurs., Feb. 16, 5 pm: “Out of Love” screening and discussion (register), The Historic Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 3622 W. Douglass Blvd. The CTU Housing Committee will host this screening and discussion of the history and present of houselessness in Chicago and how educators are advocating for the 17,000 houseless students at CPS.
- Sun., Feb. 19, 2 pm: Bid Whist and Spades Tournament (register), CTU Center, 1901 W. Carroll Ave. This is your chance to go up against President Davis Gates’ and Vice President Potter’s teams! Proceeds from the tournament go to Karen GJ Lewis Scholarship Fund, $50 buy-in per team.
- Black Lives Matter @ School Week Event
Fri., Feb. 24, 2 pm – 7 pm: CTU Foundation Blood Drive to Fight Sickle Cell (register), CTU Center, 1901 W. Carroll Ave. With gratitude to Black leader Dr. Charles Drew for creating the blood banks to encourage blood donations by Black donors. This event was initiated by the Human Rights Committee as part of Black Lives Matter at School Week and is co-sponsored by the CTU Foundation, the American Red Cross and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Black History Month swag!
We’ve got a new lineup of CTU swag with Black History Month themes! Check out the full catalog of available items in our online store.
Black Lives Matter at School Week
Join the CTU Human Rights Committee in participating in the 2023 National Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action February 6-10!
This week of action highlights four basic demands for our schools:
- End “zero tolerance” discipline, and implement restorative justice practices
- Mandate Black history and ethnic studies in K-12 curriculum
- Hire more Black teachers
- Fund counselors, not cops
