How to use transit to celebrate Black History Month in the Chicago region

Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, achievements, and diversity that are an integral part of our country, but often overlooked or suppressed. The RTA is excited to share how you can use transit to celebrate Black History Month on a local level, by connecting our riders to Black-owned or Black-run businesses, events celebrating Black History Month, and Black heritage sites around the region.

Museums and events

Obama Presidential Center

Learn more about America's first Black president by visiting the recently inaugurated Obama Presidential Center. Visitors can explore the museum honoring President Obama’s legacy or enjoy the plaza and playground on sunny days. Tickets and info are on the Center’s website.

Address: 6001 S. Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637

Transit Information: The Center can be reached by CTA bus #2, 6,15, 28, 59 and the 10, which was recently extended from to drop you off right outside the Museum! Metra also offers service to the Obama Presidential Center at its 59th street station on the South Shore Electric Line. However, this station is not ADA accessible so customers needing an elevator are advised to disembark at 55th-56th-57th Station.

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is the country's oldest independent Black history museum, and a Smithsonian Institution affiliate. Founded in 1961, it is dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation, study and dissemination of the history, art and culture of African Americans and of Black people worldwide. Don't miss a special exhibition tour and concert to kick off Black History Month on February 1, "Black Voices in Cabaret."

Where: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637

How to get there:

CTA Green Line (Garfield stop), transfer to CTA Bus Route #55 (Payne Drive & 55th Street stop), then walk about 5 minutes (0.2 miles)
CTA Red Line (Garfield stop), transfer to CTA Bus Route #55 (Payne Drive & 55th Street stop), then walk about 5 minutes (0.2 miles)
Metra Electric or South Shore Line (55th - 56th - 57th Street stop), transfer to CTA Bus Route #55 (Payne Drive & 55th Street stop), then walk about 5 minutes (0.2 miles)

Learn more.

Chicago History Museum

Join the Chicago History Museum on February 28 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for their Black History Month Commemorative Day. At this event you will learn about the history of African Americans who have had a vital hand in forming the U.S. as a nation. This event is included with general admission.

Where: 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614

How to get there:

CTA Bus Route #22 (Clark & North stop), then walk 1 minute.
CTA Brown Line (Sedgwick stop), then walk 10 minutes (0.5 miles).
CTA Red Line (Clark/Division stop), then walk about 12 minutes (0.6 miles).

Learn more.

Also, check out the museum's online exhibitions:

Museum of Science and Industry

See dynamic works from both professional and amateur African American artists from around the country at the Museum of Science and Industry’s exhibit, Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition. Here until April 19, it is free with entry.

Where: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637

How to get there:

CTA Bus Route #6 (S Hyde Park & 56th Street stop), then walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles).
CTA Green Line (Garfield stop), then transfer to CTA Bus Route #55 (Museum of Science and Industry stop).
Metra Electric Line (55th-56th-57th St. stop), then walk 7 minutes (0.4 miles).

Learn more.

Field Museum

Join the Field Museum throughout the month of February as they host several events highlighting the contributions African Americans have made and continue to make to science and museums. For some events, advanced registration is required.

Where: 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605

How to get there:

CTA Bus Route #146 (Soldier Field & Field Museum stop), then walk 3 minutes (0.1 mile).
CTA Orange, Red, or Green Line (Roosevelt stop), then transfer to CTA Bus Route #146 or walk 13 minutes (0.6 miles).
Metra Electric Line (Museum Campus/11th St. stop), then walk 8 minutes (0.4 miles).

Learn more.

Waukegan Park District

The Waukegan Park District is hosting a variety of programs and events, such as live performances, a soul food cooking demonstration, and more, to highlight the contributions African Americans have made in their community and beyond. Some events require registration.

Where: 1324 Golf Road, Waukegan, Illinois 60087

How to get there:

Metra UP-N (Waukegan station), then transfer to Pace Bus Route #564 (Golf Road & Butrick Street stop).

Learn more.

Chicago’s Black Restaurant Week

Chicago’s Black Restaurant Week is back for its ninth year on February 8–22 with themed days full of delicious vendors from across the Chicagoland region. No matter if you are taking CTA, Metra, or Pace, you are in for a treat once you arrive. Find participating vendors, locations, and more here.

Black-owned cafes

The Common Cup

Where: 1501 W. Morse Ave., Chicago, IL 60626

How to get there:

CTA Red Line (Morse stop), then walk 3 minutes (0.1 miles).
CTA Bus Routes #96 (Lunt & Greenview stop) or #155 (Ashland & Morse stop), then walk 3 minutes (0.1 miles).
Metra UP-N (Rogers Park station), then walk for 10 minutes (0.5 miles).

Learn more.

Ridman's Coffee

Where: 4758 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640

How to get there:

CTA Brown Line (Damen station), then walk 17 minutes (0.7 miles) or walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles) to Lawrence & Damen and transfer to CTA Bus Route #81 (Lawrence & Ashland stop) and walk about 3 minutes.
CTA Bus Route #22 (Clark & Lawrence stop).
Metra UP-N (Ravenswood station), then walk for 8 minutes (0.3 miles)

Learn more.

Café Calidá

Where: 3455 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

How to get there:

CTA Bus Route #72 (North Ave. & St. Louis stop).
CTA Bus Route #82 (Kimball & North Ave. stop), then walk 3 minutes (0.1 miles).

Learn more.

Kusanya Cafe

Where: 825 W. 69th St., Chicago, IL 60621

How to get there:

CTA Bus Routes #8, #67, or #169 (69th St. & Halsted stop).
CTA Red Line to 69th St., then transfer to CTA Bus Route #67 (69th St. & Halsted stop).

Learn more.

Kribi Coffee Air Roasters

Where: 7324 Madison St., Forest Park, IL 60130

How to get there:

CTA Blue line (Harlem stop), then walk 8 minutes (0.4 miles).
CTA Green line (Harlem/Lake stop), then transfer to CTA Bus Route #318 (Madison St. & Circle Ave stop).
Metra UP-W line (Oak Park stop), then transfer to Pace Bus Route #318 or walk for 19 minutes (0.9 miles).

They have an additional location at 149 Forest Ave. in Oak Park, steps from the Harlem/Lake CTA Green Line and Oak Park Metra UP-W line stops.

Learn more.

Mulata Kitchen + Coffee

Where: 136 N Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60301

How to get there:

CTA Green Line (Oak Park stop), then walk 2 minutes (0.1 miles).
Metra UP-W line (Oak Park stop), then walk for 6 minutes (0.3 miles).

Learn more.

Sip & Savor

Where: 528 E 43rd St., Chicago, IL 60653

How to get there:

CTA Bus Route #3 (King Drive & 43rd Street stop), then walk 5 minutes (0.2 miles).
CTA Green line (43rd stop), then walk 6 minutes (0.3 miles).

They also have locations in Hyde Park and Edgewater, both accessible via transit. Use Google Maps or your preferred navigation tool to explore them all.

Learn more.

Celebrate Black history all year long

Supporting Black enterprises and events celebrating Black culture does not only need to happen during Black History Month, but all year-round. Check out the following resources to find more Black-owned and Black-run shops and services in our region, and for more events honoring Black History Month.

To find more Black-owned and Black-run businesses: