That’s a wrap! Yesterday, Illinois Humanities hosted our 2021 Public Humanities Awards–a virtual celebration of the transformative power of the humanities.
For those who were able to attend, thank you! The power of community in the chat was palpable. And we hope the program moved you, in the words of Audre Lorde, to turn “divide and conquer” into “define and empower.”
From left: Board Chair Mae P. Hong, Executive Director Gabrielle Lyon, and 2021 Public Humanities Award Recipient Tonika Lewis Johnson
We wanted to let you know that you can still support Illinois Humanities and, perhaps, win an amazing raffle prize: meet Dawoud Bey and tour the Museum of Contemporary Photography’s vault; meet Tonika Lewis Johnson and tour her Englewood community; or win a photogravure by powerhouse early 20th century photographer Paul Strand. The raffle closes tonight at 6:00 p.m. and we’ll announce the winners next week in our newsletter. Click here to learn more and purchase a ticket.
Couldn’t join us? Just click here for the full show. We already have over 650 views of the show! Check out our virtual program book too.
Thank you so much to Beacon Award honoree Dawoud Bey and Public Humanities Award honoree Tonika Lewis Johnson for the work they do to transform and disrupt social narratives. We so appreciate our generous sponsors (listed below) who help make our programs possible.
Thank you to all of you — our community — for supporting us, for choosing to engage in conversations, for accessing the humanities for light, respite, and energy.
In gratitude,
Gabrielle Lyon, Executive Director
P.S. Unable to join us but would like to show your support? You can still make a gift toward our fundraising goal — we’re close to our goal. Click here!
P.P.S Bomba con Buya, the PHA house band, was a BIG hit — check them out here!
ACTIVATING THE HUMANITIES
Illinois Humanities, the Illinois affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration.
Learn more at ilhumanities.org