Umoja (Unity) Pronounced: oo-MO-jah To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
In June, we did more than just gather—we lit a torch. Black Liberation Month is not a holiday or a hashtag. It’s a movement, a mindset, and a mirror. It is about facing the realities of our condition, honoring our history, and pushing forward with intention—liberated in body, mind, and spirit. This year, we planted seeds in our communities. Now, we’re committed to nurturing them so they grow.
The month began with a powerful spark: the Umoja Gala Brunch, our official kickoff held at The Quarry Event Center. It was more than a celebration; it was a spiritual alignment. Unity was the theme, and it showed up in every smile, every embrace, every word spoken. Alderman Desmon Yancy, a son of South Shore, stood alongside cultural historian Dr. Carol Adams, longtime voice of reason Mary Mitchell, and the legendary Kofi Moyo, co-founder of Real Men Cook, who returned to Chicago for this moment.
Legacy cooks, Mell Monroe, Darryl Dennard and Lafayette Ford, Sr reflected on their engagement over the course of our 36 years in the Father’s Day celebrations. It was intergenerational. It was real. It was the kind of gathering that reminds us: We are not alone—and we’ve got work to do.
Health Is Liberation
We declared health as one of the core pillars of Black liberation—because what good is freedom if you are not well enough to enjoy it? On June 14th, we hosted Black Men’s Wellness Day at Washington Park. It was a healing space in every sense of the word. Over 210 Black men received free physicals, screenings, and health consultations—including Mayor Brandon Johnson, who not only showed up but rolled up his sleeve to set the tone. That mattered. Representation matters.
The day didn’t stop with checkups. We took to the streets for a 5K run/walk, reclaiming public space and showing our strength in motion. It was a declaration that Black men are worth the investment. Worth the time. Worth the care.
Earlier that weekend, we hosted Real Men, Real Talk, our ongoing series centered on mental health, vulnerability, and community healing. In our culture, silence is sometimes mistaken for strength—but silence can be deadly. This gathering gave men permission to speak. To cry. To laugh. To unpack what too often goes ignored. That, too, is liberation.
Culture Is Liberation
Food is our love language. And music is our soul. That’s why Real Men Cook, held on Father’s Day, remains the heart of Black Liberation Month. The Quarry was filled with joy, flavor, and pride as families gathered to honor the men who nurture, guide, and protect. It was a multigenerational cookout turned cultural experience.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly joined us in celebration. The culinary lineup was unmatched: Chef Sean Myers brought his brilliance; Blaxican fusion fed our spirits; Gimme Some Sugah by Vamarr satisfied every sweet tooth; Shawn Michelle’s Ice Cream offered comfort and nostalgia; Josephine’s Southern Cooking showed out with elote and love from Victor Love; Reggie Carter—a Real Men Cook veteran—served up the best fried fish in the city. And we went international too: UCMedicine grilled kabobs with health in mind, and Lior’s introduced goat prepared with Haitian soul by Jean Claude Aurel Jr.
On the stage, Tony Carpenter showcased musical excellence with Russoul, Toca Live, emerging artist Michael Damani, Bruce Henry, Joan Collaso, and Theophilus Reed.
These weren’t just performances—they were affirmations of Black excellence, Black joy, and Black resilience, all at The Quarrry.
Culture wasn’t confined to one day. Every week in June, the beaches of Chicago became stages for celebration. From Pier 31 to Truth on the Beach, from to Waves at Calumet Beach and the newly opened, Norman’s on the Lake at South Shore’s Rainbow Beach. The city pulsed with rhythm, house music, line dancing, and Afrobeat vibes. We made space for ourselves. We made joy visible.
Economics Is Liberation
We didn’t just talk liberation—we circulated it. Our Buy Black campaign gained momentum as vendors, businesses, and entrepreneurs were intentionally centered, especially during our Juneteenth activations. We reminded our community that every dollar spent is a vote for the future we want to see. Debt is slavery. Ownership is power.
Real Men Charities’ Black Liberation programming helped create opportunities for small Black-owned food vendors, artisans, and service providers to connect directly with the people. We’re not just buying Black—we’re building Black.
Education Is Liberation
Our children marched before they were even out of school. The Brilliance &
Excellence March brought together hundreds of young Black boys in Bronzeville to show the city—and themselves—what the future looks like. It was organized, powerful, and beautiful. They marched not in protest, but in pride. They were declaring themselves present. Seen. Valuable.
Education in June wasn’t just about report cards. It was about history, culture, literacy, and pride. We saw it in the youth programming during our events. We heard it in our conversations about what schools need. We felt it in the way the elders poured into the next generation. Liberation is about what we teach—and what we unlearn.
From Seed to Harvest
This year, Black Liberation Month was a garden. And like any good garden, we started with soil—rich in tradition, wisdom, and truth. We planted seeds of health, love, unity, and action. Every event, every conversation, every hug was a step toward collective healing and freedom.
“We planted a lot of seeds we want to nurture and watch them grow next year.”
That’s the mission. This is not a one-month project. It’s a lifetime commitment. We don’t just want to survive—we want to thrive. In body. In culture. In spirit. In economy. In community.
We give thanks to everyone who attended, supported, performed, cooked, spoke, danced, or simply showed up. Because your presence made all the difference.
From The Quarry to the beaches, from Bronzeville to Washington Park, we proved that Black Liberation is more than a dream.
It’s happening now.
