Guild Theater Band 1

Event

Author Talk with Harold “Noonie G” Ward
Underground Books

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Author Talk Featuring Harold “Noonie G” Ward

Join us in person for Harold “Noonie G” Ward’s story is more than a memoi, it’s a reckoning. Altgeld Gardens pulls back the curtain on a Chicago community too often spoken about but rarely spoken for. Through Noonie G’s voice, the realities of survival, loyalty, violence, and redemption are laid bare with honesty and purpose.

Event

Author Talk featuring Eghosa O. Hamilton & Gertrude Jenkins
Underground Books

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Join Us for an Author Talk!

Underground Books invites you to an evening of sharp insight, cultural truth‑telling, and transformative scholarship as Eghosa Obaizamomwan Hamilton sits in conversation with Gertrude Jenkins to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Articulations: A Radical Methodology for Black Pedagogy—Redefining Education through Black Women’s Hair Experiences.

Event

2026 Juneteenth at 40 Acres
St. HOPE Academy

Celebrate the history and legacy of Juneteenth with us at the 2026 Juneteenth Block Party at 40 Acres.

Experience a day filled with music, culture, and community in the heart of Oak Park. Enjoy live DJs, local food trucks, a wine and beer garden, and a marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses. Families can also enjoy games and activities at Esther’s Park hosted by St. HOPE Public Schools.

This free, in-person event is all about connection, celebration, and community.

Event

Author Talk Featurnig Teddy Riley
Underground Books

Join us for an in-person chat with the amazing Teddy Riley! Get the scoop on his latest work, hear some cool stories, and maybe ask a question or two. It’s a chill chance to hang out and dive into the world of writing with a pro. Don’t miss out on this awesome event!

Grammy Award–winning R&B and hip-hop legend Teddy Riley recounts his journey from growing up in the projects in Harlem to inventing the genre New Jack Swing, selling out shows at Madison Square Garden, and creating music for Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, and more.

Community Event

Sisters of Nia: Black History Month Talent Show
Guild Theater

Enjoy an evening of youth creativity and entertainment as talented performers ages 11–15 take the stage for the Sisters of Nia Youth Talent Show. The event features music, dance, spoken word, and more, celebrating confidence, artistry, and community.

Snacks, drinks, and Sisters of Nia swag will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting programs that empower youth through leadership, culture, and self-expression.

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Community Event

Women’s Seminar: Your Financial Journey
Guild Theater

Women’s Seminar: Your Financial Journey is an empowering evening focused on financial equity, confidence, and women supporting women, presented as part of the 40 Acres Black History Month programming and hosted by Malonn Barnes.

The event features a Financial Equity Workshop followed by Her Power, Her Path, a panel discussion with community leaders Deneva Shelton and Azizza Davis Goines, highlighting leadership, wealth-building, and community impact.

February 24 · 5:00 PM PST

Community Event

Walking Tour of Oak Park’s 40 Acres
Guild Theater

As part of Black History Month at 40 Acres, experience a guided walking tour through Oak Park’s cultural cornerstone, led by Sacramento comedian Dru Burks.

Beginning at the historic Guild Theater, this one-hour tour explores the people, places, and movements that shaped Oak Park into the vibrant cultural hub it is today. Guests will walk through the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Complex, highlighting landmarks such as Underground Books, Old Soul Co., Fixins Soul Kitchen, and more, while learning about Oak Park’s history, resilience, and ongoing revitalization.

Community Event

Coffee & A Gift Mondays
Underground Books

Coffee & A Gift Mondays is a special Black History Month promotion celebrating Black culture, community, and small businesses at the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Complex.

Community Event

Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom – Film Screening & Discussion
Guild Theater

Celebrate Juneteenth with us at 40 Acres at Juneteenth Faith and Freedom, a film screening and discussion honoring Black history, culture, and freedom. This award winning documentary by filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith explores the legacy of Juneteenth through faith, resilience, and lived history, followed by a live conversation after the film. Free and open to the community.

Community Event

Black Cinema Film Series: Love and Basketball
Guild Theater

Love, basketball, and ambition collide in this iconic story of growth, dreams, and connection.

The Guild Theater presents Love & Basketball as part of the Black Cinema Film Series during Black History Month at the historic 40 Acres Complex.

This beloved film explores love, ambition, and identity through the intertwined lives of two childhood friends whose relationship unfolds on and off the basketball court. With heart, honesty, and cultural impact, Love & Basketball remains a defining story of Black love, perseverance, and self-discovery.

Community Event

Crafted by Culture: A Black-Owned Gin Tasting & Mixology Event
Fixin's Soul Kitchen

Celebrate Black History Month with Flavor & Craft at 40 Acres

Fixins Soul Kitchen and Common Ground Spirits present Crafted by Culture, a special Black History Month experience as part of the 40 Acres Black History Month programming. This immersive evening honors Black excellence through spirits, storytelling, and mixology.

Learn the history and vision behind Common Ground Spirits, a Black-owned gin company

Enjoy a guided tasting of three distinct gin expressions

Create and savor signature cocktails featuring Common Ground Spirits

Community Event

Black Cinema Film Series: One Night in Miami
Guild Theater

As part of Black History Month at the 40 Acres Complex, the Guild Theater presents a screening of One Night in Miami… as part of the Black Cinema Film Series.

Set during a pivotal evening in 1964, the film imagines an intimate conversation between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown as they reflect on fame, faith, responsibility, and the role of Black leadership during a critical moment in American history. Through powerful dialogue and thoughtful storytelling, the film explores the intersections of culture, activism, and identity.

Community Event

An Evening with Kelvin Truitt
Guild Theater

Celebrate Black History Month with an intimate live performance by Kelvin Truitt at the historic Guild Theater.

As part of Black History Month at the 40 Acres Complex, the Guild Theater presents an intimate evening with Kelvin Truitt, a rising artist whose work blends soul, storytelling, and honest reflection.

Community Event

Why We Affirm: A Conversation on Black Love
Guild Theater

Why We Affirm: A Conversation on Black Love
February 15 | 5:00–8:00 PM
The Guild Theater at the 40 Acres Complex

Join Felicia & Karega for the live launch of a brand-new season of their award-winning podcast, SOL Affirmations, recorded in front of a live audience.