Kehrein Center For The Arts

06/24/2025

We’re thrilled to announce our outstanding 2025 honorees who have transformed our community through their incredible work and dedication:

🌟 Kenn Cook - Cultivation Award
🌟 Ana Garcia Doyle - The Bridge Award
🌟 Dianna Graham - Legacy Award
🌟 avery r young - Most Distinguished Black Aura Award

Join us in celebrating these remarkable changemakers who embody the spirit of liberation and community empowerment. Stay connected as we share their inspiring stories leading up to our unforgettable two-day celebration!

06/24/2025

The Black Aura: A Weekend of Liberation and the Arts is excited to recognize change makers whose visions propel liberation and cultural renaissance. Honorees embody Legacy in Motion—carrying ancestral brilliance forward while forging bold new paths. Honorees this year include:

Bridge Award: Ana Garcia-Doyle, for her dedication to the mission of environmental justice, while connecting the Oak Park and Austin communities.

Cultivation Award: Kenn Cook, for his ongoing commitment to authentic storytelling and archival photography in Austin and on the West Side.

Legacy Award: Diana Graham, for her unwavering support of the West Side community and the Austin neighborhood for over 30 years.

Distinguished Black Aura Award: Chicago poet laureate, avery r. young, for harnessing funk and soul, only to reimagine these genres poetically toward local and global entertainment, transformation, and healing.

To register for the FREE event log on to visit https://brushfire.com/kcachicago/theblackaura/603226/tickets.

06/23/2025

Get ready for a night of non-stop laughter with the incredible Ron Baker Jr.!

As our special host for the opening night of The Black Aura, he's bringing his A-game to set the stage on fire!

Don't miss this - secure your spot now by scanning the QR code. Trust us, this is one unforgettable evening you won't want to miss!

06/23/2025

Join us for a powerful evening of connection and conversation at our Just(US) Dinner this Wednesday!

"The Father Factor: The Ripple Effect" brings our Black community together for an intimate night of meaningful dialogue, delicious food, and soul-stirring artistic performances.

Let's explore our shared experiences and create a space for understanding, healing, and growth.

Scan the QR code to register today!

06/20/2025

Spent my Juneteenth wrapped in community and overwhelming love as I had the honor of presenting at the official opening of the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation in Austin

This space is dedicated to helping West Side residents access and maintain good-paying jobs to support their families and communities.

The center represents a powerful step toward equity, economic empowerment, and a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I am so proud to be a part of this amazing work.

06/20/2025

We are honored to have the incredible as our Event Producer for The Black Aura!

An accomplished actor, singer, writer, director, and producer, Sheran has been performing professionally for over 30 years—touring both nationally and internationally. Her artistry and leadership bring depth, power, and excellence to this celebration of Black liberation and the arts.
We can’t wait to see you there for this unforgettable event!

06/20/2025

Join the 100+ and be a part of a night of elegance, ease, and empowered gathering July 10th .

You don't want to miss a night under the stars for an enchanting evening lovingly created as a sanctuary for Black women and their allies—a space to celebrate, reflect, and bask in shared grace.

Come as you are. Leave transformed.

Register for free and if you're not a member with the link below:
https://brushfire.com/.../soiree-grace_solidarity/605225

Auspicious. ✶ Authentic. ✶ Artistic.
A home for the arts and storytelling through creative expression, based in Austin, Chicago.

06/20/2025

YOU ARE INVITED to attend The Black Aura: A Weekend of Liberation and the Arts, happening June 28–29. But on your best gear and come and enjoy an amazing event that celebrates US! The event is FREE!

The Black Aura is a powerful response to Chicago’s call for deeper understanding, clarity, and cultural significance around Juneteenth. Held in the weekend between Juneteenth and Independence Day, this annual event blends reflection and celebration, rooted in community, art, and liberation. It offers an immersive cultural experience designed to explore the complexities of our shared histories, honor the struggles we've faced, and uplift the resilience that continues to define the Black experience.

Saturday, June 28th, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Kick off the weekend with an evening emceed by Chicago’s own comedian Ron Baker. Celebrate Black liberation through a vibrant showcase of funk, jazz, soul, and R&B curated by acclaimed artist, singer, and producer Lynn Colbert-Jones. Visual artist Keila Strong will present an inspiring exhibit of paintings and mosaics honoring young Black girls, their freedom to be, and the rich stories of Black culture. The evening will feature a variety of food, clothing, and jewelry vendors, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

Sunday, June 29th, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us for an uplifting gospel celebration in partnership with the Chicago Urban League. Led by talented musician and songwriter Marlon Washington and narrated by North Lawndale’s own Wilonda Cannon. The program will feature performances from local artists including The Jenipher Jones Experiment and United Voices’ Austin Neighborhood Choir. After the performances, guests are invited to gather and fellowship in KCA’s garden, where they can enjoy food vendors and connect with others in the community.

To register for free, please visit:
https://brushfire.com/kcachicago/theblackaura/603226/details

Auspicious. ✶ Authentic. ✶ Artistic.
A home for the arts and storytelling through creative expression, based in Austin, Chicago.

06/19/2025

This Juneteenth, we honor the legacy of Black Liberation—a legacy rooted in resistance, resilience, and the undeniable brilliance of our people.

As we reflect on what freedom truly means, we invite you to join us for Black Aura: A Weekend of Liberation & the Arts, happening June 28–29 at the Kehrein Center for the Arts.

Black Aura is a powerful response to our city’s longing for deeper historical grounding and collective clarity around the meaning of freedom.

We’ll explore our rich artistic heritage, reflect on the present state of liberation in Chicago, and uplift the truth that our history is one of the greatest gifts we have.

06/17/2025

We’re so excited to welcome , , and the amazing .excitementhuff to the stage!
You won’t want to miss it—scan the QR code to register today.
We can’t wait to see you there!

06/12/2025

We are beyond excited to welcome the phenomenal to this year’s Celebration of Black Liberation on June 28th at The Black Aura!

A powerhouse vocalist and recording artist hailing from Chicago, Meagan brings a soul-stirring blend of soul, jazz, and R&B to the stage. Influenced by legends like Anita Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Khan, and Aretha Franklin, she’s crafted a sound all her own—rich, timeless, and unforgettable.
You won’t want to miss this unforgettable performance!