News and Accolades

Students from dozens of Chicago Public Schools join voices in honor of Black History Month

What do you get when 3,000 Chicago Public Schools students join forces during Black History Month to sing? Soulful and empowering songs with a message.

Uniting Voices Chicago, formerly known as the Chicago Children's Choir, teaches music to students from 88 public schools across Chicago.

They're preparing for a concert series next week at Chicago Symphony Center. The journey through Black history and Africana music begins with the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and continues with "Earth is Ghetto," a viral song by Aliah Sheffield.

Here Are 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events You Can Check Out In Chicago

Communities across the city have performances, panel discussions, art exhibitions and more planned for this weekend and Monday, Jan. 20 to celebrate the birthday of Civil Rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. You can also volunteer, visit a number of museums or attend a special presentation honoring King.

Block Club Chicago rounded up 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day events for anyone looking to honor the history and importance of King’s life and legacy — including activities for kids, as CPS is off on Monday.

PUSH Excel Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2025 Breakfast

8:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 20 / Soldier Field’s United Club Room, 1410 Museum Campus Drive

With performances by the Uniting Voices Chicago youth choir and Zoie Imani Reams, star of the Lyric Opera production of “Blue,” this MLK Day breakfast will honor the work of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and several other honorees including screenwriter Lawrence O’Donnell, Rev. Martin L. Deppe, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, actress Kim Fields, real estate executive Mark Goeden, Roosevelt University President Ali Malekzadeh, Jo Ann Roberts and Bishop Timothy J. Clarke. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased online.

Ruby Bridges to speak at UChicago’s 2025 MLK commemoration; also features Uniting Voices

Ruby Bridges was just six years old when she became the first Black student to integrate an all-white New Orleans’ public school alone in 1960. Flanked by U.S. marshals, the world watched as she walked into William Frantz Elementary School past an angry mob—and into history.

The civil rights icon will discuss her experiences an activist, author and speaker on Jan. 29 at UChicago’s 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Celebration. She will participate in a fireside chat with Assoc. Prof. Rashauna Johnson, a UChicago historian and New Orleans native who studies slavery, race and the nation.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. The evening’s program will also feature remarks from President Paul Alivisatos and performances by Uniting Voices Chicago. It is free and open to the public.

Celebrate Black History Month: Top five events this February

February marks Black History Month, and Chicago offers a diverse lineup of events, from art exhibits and concerts to family storytimes and community markets, celebrating African American culture, creativity, and achievements.

Black Futures Concert Series: Afrofuturism

Uniting Voices Chicago invites the community to its annual Black History Concert Series at Chicago Symphony Center on Feb. 7, 2025. This year’s theme, Afrofuturism: The Freedom Metropolis, celebrates the intersection of art, science, and technology within Africana civilizations. The free event features a musical journey through genres such as jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop, and Afrobeat, highlighting the contributions of Black visionaries past and present.

Young students shine at Get Amp’D Solo Showcase at Metro

Young students were given a unique opportunity to perform on one of the most legendary stages in Chicago, allowing them to demonstrate their skills and make a lasting impression.

From one young singer to the next, dozens of student artists showed out at the Get Amp’D Solo Showcase held at the Metro on Sunday.

The afternoon was filled with talent, passion and energy as each performer brought their unique style to the stage.

Uniting Voices Chicago Brings First Solo Showcase To Metro Stage This Weekend

Students from across the city will take the stage at the Metro this weekend for the first-ever Uniting Voices Chicago solo performance showcase, highlighting their talents for a day to remember.

On Sunday, Uniting Voices Chicago will host its Get Amp’d Solo Showcase at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. The unique event gives students the opportunity to perform solo in an intimate, professional setting — the same setting where artists like Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Bob Dylan, Billie Eillish and Mavis Staples have performed over the Metro’s 40-plus year history.

“Metro has a long tradition of supporting Chicago’s music community, and this showcase is an extension of that mission,” Metro owner Joe Shanahan said. “That’s what we rest our laurels on. We want to continue to find, nurture and forage new voices across the city and this is another way for us to do that.”

Uniting Voices Creates a More Harmonious World Through Music

Uniting Voices is open to students ages 6 to 18. Anyone who joins Uniting Voices is not required to have prior musical experience and will learn technique and a history of different kinds of music. Rehearsals run twice a week and several workshops include appearances from acclaimed artists. Those interested can visit the Uniting Voices website for additional information.

“We call Uniting Voices Chicago’s best kept secret,” says Lee. “With music, you can process your emotions, share and elevate each other, bring out the hope in each other and inspire each other to do great things while creating a more harmonious world together.”

Uniting Voices Chicago chosen for Bears' My Cause My Cleats initiative

Local nonprofit 'Uniting Voices Chicago' has been selected for the Bears' My Cause My Cleats' initiative. Uniting Voices President talks about what the honor means to the organization on FOX 31.

Chicago Weekend Guide: Ugly sweater crawl, Songs of the Season, final Randolph Street Market

🎶 Uniting Voices — Songs of the Season

• Hear the renowned children's choir, including a citywide ensemble of high schoolers, sing holiday carols.
• 7pm Saturday at the Harris Theater, just steps from Millennium Park

Songs of the Season – Uniting Voices – December 14 at 7 p.m.

Celebrate the vibrancy of the winter season and the wonder of young voices coming together with Songs of the Season, featuring Voice of Chicago, Uniting Voices, Chicago’s world-renowned citywide ensemble of high schoolers, and select Neighborhood Choir singers! Songs of the Season is a rousing concert of holiday hits, choral classics and unexpected seasonal tunes. This all-ages performance is a perfect night out with family and friends to celebrate the winter season.

Performance Run Time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including intermission.

The Harris Theater is located at 205 E. Randolph St. For information, visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Things to do around the Chicago area this weekend: Songs of the Season

Looking for something to do as the holiday season hits fever pitch? There are plenty of activities around the Chicago area to choose from this weekend.

Concert: Uniting Voices Chicago- 'Songs of the Season'

WHAT: Enjoy 'Songs of the Season' with Uniting Voices Chicago, featuring high schoolers and neighborhood choir singers.

WHERE: Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, Chicago, IL,

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 7pm

How to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in Chicago

Chicago is a city renowned for its rich cultural diversity, and there’s no better time to experience this than during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the city comes alive with celebrations that honor the contributions of the Hispanic and Latine communities. Whether you’re a lifelong Chicagoan or a first-time visitor, there are countless ways to immerse yourself in Chicago’s vibrant Hispanic cultures this month and all year long.

So get out and explore the neighborhoods, savor the flavors, and join in the festivities that make National Hispanic Heritage Month one of the most exciting times of the year in Chicago.

Canto Latino “Alma del Sur” from Uniting Voices (Oct. 5)