Aurora in Black (2026)

17/06/2026

❤️🖤💚THINGS TO DO FOR JUNETEENTH IN AURORA: As we head into the official holiday weekend, check out events happening in Aurora to commemorate the 161st Anniversary of Juneteenth:
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❤️ AURORA JUNETEENTH YOUTH SUMMIT
📅 Friday, June 19, 2026
📍 Aurora University
ℹ️ Event at Capacity | Registration Closed!
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🖤 4TH ANNUAL SCHEKETA HART-BURNS AURORA JUNETEENTH FLAG RAISING
📅 Friday, June 19, 2026
🕒 2:00 PM
📍 Aurora University Main Quad, 1347 Prairie Street
ℹ️ Presenting $20,000 in Scholarships & More!
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💚 JUNETEENTH: CELEBRATING BLACK VOICES IN THE ARTS
📅 Friday, June 19, 2026
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Ave.
ℹ️ Live Performances, Artist Q&A, Refreshments & Community
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❤️ COMEDY SHOW FEATURING STEPHON RAICKETT
📅 Friday, June 19, 2026
🕒 6:00 PM
📍 Harvest of Faith Church , 1729 Jericho Road
ℹ️ $25 Adults | $15 Seniors (65+)

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🖤 JUNETEENTH A-TOWN DJ BATTLE
📅 Friday, June 19, 2026
🕒 Doors Open 9:00 PM
📍 Paulies Pub and Grille, 444 E. Eola Rd
ℹ️ $10 Advance Tickets | $20 at Door

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💚 10TH ANNIVERSARY STEPPING AT FOX VALLEY MALL
📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
🕒 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center Dr.
ℹ️ Outside of Round 1, Lower Level

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❤️ JUNETEENTH CULTURAL CAR PARADE
📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
🕒 3:30 PM Kickoff
📍 Phillips Park, Smith St. Entrance, Aurora, IL
ℹ️ Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles Welcome

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🖤 AAMOU'S 25TH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
🕒 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 51 N. Farnsworth Ave.
ℹ️ Edu-tainment, Vendors, Food, Fun!

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💚 SIR DUKE'S TABLE – A STEVIE WONDER CATALOG EXPERIENCE
📅 Sunday, June 21, 2026
🕒 4:00 PM
📍 Sage Event Space, 1167 Oak Street
ℹ️ $55 Per Person

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❤️ BEYOND CELEBRATION: BLACK VOICES, LASTING LEGACY
📅 Tuesday, June 23, 2026
🕒 12:00 PM
📍 Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove Campus, Bodie Hall Room 150
ℹ️ Lunch Provided

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🌐Shareable Site: www.tinyurl.com/JuneteenthinAurora

❗️Feel free to add additional events in the comments!

City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board
Quad County Urban League

15/06/2026

❤️🖤💚THE AURORA BLACK EMPOWERMENT COALITION QUARTERLY PUBLIC MEETING DURING JUNETEENTH WEEK: Join the Aurora Black Empowerment Coalition (BEC) for our Quarterly Public Meeting at Vibez on the River on Tuesday, June 16, at 7:00 p.m.!

✅ FACTS! Get the facts about the progress being made in Black Aurora. Hear reports and updates on education, economic empowerment, and civic engagement initiatives that are helping move our community forward.

🍽️ FOOD! Stay for the food and enjoy Vibez on the River's delicious menu. Favorites include catfish & grits, mac & cheese, and more!

🎤 FUN! Keep the celebration going with Karaoke Night featuring DJ Hunt beginning at 8:00 p.m. Whether you grab the mic or record the fun from your seat, it's always a great time!

AS WE CONTINUE CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH WEEK IN AURORA, come connect, learn, and celebrate with the BEC on Tuesday night:

📍 Vibez on the River, 29 W. New York St.
🗓 Tuesday, June 16
⏰ 7:00 p.m.

🙏🏾Special shout-out and enteral gratitude to Tahj Williams and RockBuzz Aurora for this incredible promo video from the BEC’s Black History Month gathering at Kathryn's - Place! Make sure to follow RockBuzz Aurora and download the new app for the community!!

15/06/2026

❤️🖤💚AS WE HONOR OUR HISTORY AND ESTABLISH OUR LEGACY, we will commemorate 161 years of Juneteenth and remember the leadership of Scheketa Hart Burns when we raise the Juneteenth Flag for the fourth time in Aurora on Friday, June 19.

📚WITH A FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT, the community will gather at Aurora University for the FOURTH ANNUAL SCHEKETA HART-BURNS AURORA JUNETEENTH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY.

The ceremony will feature:

🔴 THE MARCH OF BLACK EXCELLENCE, highlighting more than 100 Black youth from middle school through college.

⚫️A PERFORMANCE OF THE BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," award-winning recording artist Nialand.

🟢AN ENERGIZING SHOWCASE BY THE 40+ DOUBLE DUTCH CLUB, celebrating one of the most treasured and enduring art forms within the Black community.

🔴 PRESENTATION OF THE JUNIOR TRAILBLAZER AWARD TO the elementary school entrepreneurs and owners of KKids Slushies and Waffle Pops, recognizing leadership and entrepreneurship at an early age.

⚫️THE AWARDING OF $20,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS to the Class of 2026 Cowherd Scholars by the City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board, reinforcing the event's commitment to educational achievement and future success.

🟢THE RAISING OF THE JUNETEENTH by young leader on the Aurora Black Heritage Royal Court.

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☀️2026 Aurora Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
📅 Friday, June 19, 2026
🕑 2:00 p.m.
📍 Aurora University Main Quad, 1347 Prairie Street
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Presented by
❤️Aurora in Black
🖤City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board
💚Quad County Urban League

14/06/2026

🎶 MUSIC IN THE PARK FOR JUNETEENTH WEEK: It was truly a family reunion this weekend at Lebanon Park for the inaugural Music in the Park, organized by Aurora native and local entrepreneur Barry Miller!

❤️🖤💚 The weather was perfect, the vibes were unmatched, and the crowd showed up for what many called a true “grown folks” event .... part day party, part old-school reunion, and all community. Holding the event just blocks away from the Southwind neighborhood, where Barry and so many attendees grew up, made the day even more special. As they say, it was the extra Nilla Wafer on the banana pudding (better than icing on the cake! 😄)

🎤Adding to the magic was a phenomenal performance by Aurora’s own Pearl Newson and the Souled Out Thursdays Band, who delivered the ultimate Black family reunion soundtrack. And when they played Frankie Beverly & Maze’s classic Before I Let Go, it sealed the deal!

👏🏾Congratulations to Barry, the planning team, the performers, vendors, volunteers, and everyone who came out to celebrate during Juneteenth Week in Aurora. Thank you for creating such a memorable experience that brought generations together.

👀We’re already looking forward to next year!

❗️Join us on Juneteenth -next Friday, June 19 - at 2 pm for the 4th Annual Scheketa Hart-Burns Aurora Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at Aurora University, 1347 Prairie St.

14/06/2026

📰Front page | The Beacon News | Sunday, June 14, 2026

❤️HELPING THOSE IN NEED by David Sharos
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Those in need Friday morning got an extra-large helping of groceries during the fifth Aurora Divine 9 Juneteenth Food Distribution event at Phillips Park.

The event, which served as a kickoff to Aurora’s Juneteenth Week celebration, was designed to provide free groceries to up to 1,000 families, according to a press release about the session.

Although the drive-thru food distribution wasn’t scheduled to begin until 9 a.m., many people including Aurora resident Maribel Millet showed up early.

“I got here around 5:30 this morning and this is about the earliest I’ve been here. I’ve come before,” Millet said as she waited in line Friday for the event to begin. “This is really going to help me and my sister. It’s just me and her.”

In partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the food distribution was offered by Aurora in Black, the city of Aurora’s African American Heritage Advisory Board, the city of Aurora and the Divine 9, a collective of suburban members representing nine historically Black fraternities and sororities.

Clayton Muhammad, who co-organized the effort and spoke on behalf of the Aurora in Black group, said the food distribution event began “as we were coming out of COVID and was so successful we extended this for Juneteenth to honor the holiday which we thought made sense.”

“We partner historically with Black fraternities and sororities in the western suburban area to be the faces of the food deliveries,” he said. “In terms of food giveaways this is definitely one of the largest. We’ve got over 40,000 pounds of food — or 40 pounds per family.”

Muhammad said with the current state of the economy, insecurity is growing.

“Food prices and gas are high and, on top of that, we have the SNAP benefits that were cut off last year and this year there are new requirements that families have to meet. All those things combined have had an impact,” he said. “We know that demands on food pantries are increasing something like 20% or 30% and even 40% in some cases. The need is outrageously out there and we are doing our part.”

Muhammad said the number of volunteers at the event was expected to reach more than 150 and said participation “is very important to the Black community as well as the Black fraternities and sororities.”

Cheryl Taylor, a volunteer at the event from Naperville, spoke enthusiastically about her own group, Delta Sigma Theta, and said the food distribution event is important.

“I’m just so excited to volunteer and be able to help the community,” she said.

Jimmy Sims of Bolingbrook was representing Phi Beta Sigma fraternity at the event and said he and others “wanted to come out and help families as Juneteenth is the celebration of the freedom for Blacks in America.”

“It’s great to be able to help the community and give back. This is my fifth year helping out at the event,” he said. “For me, being here year after year — sadly, we have to do it, but it’s a great thing that we can do it and we’re willing to do it. With the Divine 9 and the Black fraternities and sororities, we all come to give back to the community. The people that do this get as much or more out of it than the people we help.”

Laesch was on hand at the event and said “the energy is awesome.”

“I talked to an organizer who said more communities are stepping up after the reduction in SNAP benefits to make sure people are fed,” he said.

Margie Williams of Aurora was among the first arriving Friday for the food distribution and said she has come to the event before.

“I got here at 5:30 and it’s been four hours of waiting,” she said. “Of course, it’s worth it.”

Inthira Schmitt of Aurora said she arrived at 6 a.m. for the food distribution.

“I’m glad they have this. It’s my first time and, of course, I’m thankful,” she said.

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🙏🏾AURORA IN BLACK thanks the 150+ volunteers from the Divine 9 - the 5 historically Black fraternities and 4 historically Black sororities - and all of our partners who made THE 5TH ANNUAL DIVINE 9 AURORA JUNETEENTH FOOD DRIVE-THRU a success. Special shoutout to Northern Illinois Food Bank for covering the cost and Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley for additional financial support.

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13/06/2026

❤️🖤💚The 5th Annual Divine 9 Aurora Juneteenth Food Drive-Thru was one for the books ... as usual!

🙏🏾Aurora in Black thanks all of the 150+ volunteers from Black fraternities and sororities - and all of our partners - for making it possible to feed 1000 families! Special thanks to the Northern Illinois Food Bank for leading the way!

🚗🚙Cars began lining up at 5 am for a 9 am opening and the line stretched for a half mile north into the park and another half mile south beyond East Aurora High School. The need is real and we hope to have relieved some of the burden on our neighbors. ❤️

💿🎶IT WAS A PARTY WITH A DIVINE PURPOSE! Shout out to DJE4 for infusing the park all morning with tracks that define the soundtrack of the culture! What an amazing kick off to Juneteenth Week in Aurora!

❗️Join us on Juneteenth -next Friday, June 19 - at 2 pm for the 4th Annual Scheketa Hart-Burns Aurora Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at Aurora University, 1347 Prairie St.

13/06/2026

❗️📺WATCH ABC 7 Chicago: Divine 9 Juneteenth Drive-Thru in Aurora Feeds Those in Need

✅40,000 pounds of food!

✅1,000 families!

✅40lbs each of chicken, ground beef, pasta, oil, fruits, vegetables and more!

✅150+ volunteers from the Divine 9 historically Black fraternities and sororities!

✅1 special day: the 5th Annual Divine 9 Aurora Juneteenth Free Groceries Drive-Thru

It was such a special day of service, unity and love, as I'll it had been every year.

Aurora in Black thanks the:

❤️Divine 9 for upholding the missions of your founders!

🖤Northern Illinois Food Bank for covering the cost this year!

💚Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley for additional financial support!

💛Aurora African American Heritage Board for the invaluable resource bags to the guests and overall support of the event!

🤎The City of Aurora, APD, Special Events, Marketing and Communications, and the CPAAA for in-kind support!

An amazing kick-off to Juneteenth Week in Aurora!

We'll see everyone on Juneteenth -June 19- for the 4th annual Scheketa Hart-Burns Aurora Juneteenth Flag Raising at 2 pm at Aurora University!

10/06/2026

🚙Pick up your 40 POUNDS OF FREE GROCERIES at the 5th Annual 2026 Aurora D9 Juneteenth FREE GROCERIES Giveaway as we kick-off Juneteenth Week in Aurora:

Friday, June 12
9 a.m.
Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive
Line starts to form early on Smith Boulevard.

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❤️🖤💚More than 150 members of the Divine 9 – the 4 historically Black sororities and the 5 historically Black fraternities – will welcome neighbors in need with no questions asked.
✅Just PULL UP in your vehicle!
✅OPEN UP your trunk or back door
✅FILL UP with 40 lbs. of free food :
A VARIETY OF MEATS
FRESH PRODUCE
TASTY PASTA & MORE!
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🛑🆔NO ID NECESSARY!
🚗FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!
GET A FREE RESOURCES BAG
RANDOM GAS CARD GIVEAWAYS

SPONSORS
Northern Illinois Food Bank
City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board
Aurora in Black
City of Aurora, IL, Government
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

10/06/2026

❗️RECOJA SUS 40 LIBRAS DE COMIDA GRATIS❗️
En la 5.ª Distribución Comunitaria Anual de Alimentos del D9, reciba alimentos desde su vehículo mientras damos inicio a la Semana de Juneteenth en Aurora.
📅 Viernes, 12 de junio
🕘 9:00 a. m.
📍 Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive
(La fila comienza a formarse temprano a lo largo de Smith Boulevard.)

🚗 ¡Solo llegue en su vehículo, abra su cajuela o asiento trasero y llénese de alimentos gratis para su familia!
🥩 Carnes, frutas y verduras frescas, y mucho más.
🆔 ¡No se requiere identificación!
⏰ ¡Primero en llegar, primero en ser atendido!
⛽ ¡Sorteos de tarjetas de gasolina!
🎁 ¡Bolsas de recursos gratis!

📢 ¡Comparta la noticia!
📢 ¡Corra la voz!
❤️ ¡Nunca sabe quién podría necesitar esta ayuda adicional en estos tiempos!

Aurora in Black

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