Skip to content

ABC 7 Chicago Celebrates Black History Month With Special Programming, Including ‘Our Chicago: Black Hair Is…’

ABC 7’s Cheryl Burton, Hosea Sanders, Val Warner and Terrell Brown contribute to the station’s Black History Month programming (Photos Provided by ABC 7 Chicago).

ABC 7 Chicago is honoring Black History Month with a series of news stories, vignettes, and a half-hour special titled “Our Chicago: Black Hair Is…”.

Cheryl Burton, Hosea Sanders, Val Warner and Terrell Brown contribute their personal insights on Black hair in the special that explores the cultural impact and relevance of Black hair to the Black community. The special streams exclusively on abc7chicago.com and everywhere ABC 7 programming is streamed beginning Feb. 12. It airs Saturday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. on ABC 7 with an encore presentation the following day, Sunday, Feb. 23, at 11 p.m.

The half-hour special explores the historical significance of Black hair, touching on how enslaved people used corn rows to communicate in the Underground Railroad to the recent Crown Act protecting Black hair from discrimination to the present-day pride in embracing all textured hairstyles.  Important Black hair care businesses are showcased from Chicago-based Luster Hair Care Products, created in 1957 by a South Side barber to fill a need in the Black community, to Thank God It’s Natural, a newer company selling products for natural Black hairstyles. Keke Palmer, chief brand officer, Creme of Nature, reveals her hair journey and that of Black women in history. “Our Chicago: Black of Hair Is…”  focuses on the pride surrounding the freedom to embrace beautiful Black hair and the sense of community emanating from Black hair salons and places like Larry’s Barber College. 

ABC 7 Eyewitness News will feature many compelling stories for Black History Month under the banner “Building a Better Chicago,” including the following: 

IMPORTANCE OF BLACK DADS: Reported by Jasmine Minor

Black fathers are pillars of love, guidance and stability, shaping their children’s lives and strengthening their communities. Despite their vital role, harmful stereotypes often portray them as absent, overshadowing the many dedicated fathers deeply committed to their families. Losing a father in the Black community brings profound grief, impacting emotional well-being and family unity. It’s crucial to honor their legacy, challenge misrepresentations, and celebrate their true contributions to foster a more accurate and supportive view. 

ROSENWALD RENAISSANCE: Reported by Leah Hope

A historic Bronzeville development has new life and new purpose as a residential and business space.

Rosenwald was once home to Black middle class creating a foundation for extraordinary Chicagoans like – Nat King Cole, Joe Louis, Quincy Jones, Gwendolyn Brooks and Lorraine Hansberry. The structure fell into tough times and needed work. This a story of Black owned businesses continuing the legacy of the historic development. 

About Post Author

Comments

From the Web