For decades, Black queer space-makers have carved out places and scenes that center queer creatives, and that shape and re-define queer Black culture for each new generation. “Fierceness Served: Creating Black Queer Cultural Space” honors the vital role of Black and queer artists and community gatherers with a night of film, conversation and celebration.

7:30-9:00 pm – SCREENING + CONVERSATION

Featuring Michelle Parkerson’s new film “Fierceness Served! The Enikalley Coffeehouse,” clips of Chicago’s queer art spaces Holsum Roc and Party Noire, a round-table conversation with local Black queer cultural leaders:

nick alder, Party Noire | An inclusive cultural hub celebrating Black femmes, QWOC + Black womanhood along the gender spectrum + holding space especially for queer, trans + genderqueer, and gender non-conforming Black people since 2015, Party Noire creates experiences + intentional spaces for uplifting + affirming the lives of Black women.

Stephanie Coleman, Holsum Roc | Opened in 1987, Holsum Roc Gallery and Cafe was an alternative art space that hosted exhibitions and events with and for queer Black artists in Chicago.

Chris Smith, Moderator, co-founder, Affinity | A social justice organization serving the needs of the Black LGBTQ+ community with a particular focus on Black women since 1995.

Karlie Thornton, FroSkate | Black Womyn founded and Queer led since 2019, froSkate exists to provide inclusive experiences, resources and equity for the BIPOC, non-traditional skateboarding community.

Donna Rose Weems, Literary Exchange | Founded in 1985 as a book group for Black lesbians, Literary Exchange hosted performing arts productions, dance parties, and issued a quarterly ‘paperzine’ called the Literary Express for over two decades.

Yvonne Welbon, Sisters in Cinema | Established in 2014, Sisters in Cinema entertains, educates, develops and celebrates Black girls and women media-makers and future generations of storytellers and their audiences, and plans to open the Sisters in Cinema Media Arts Center in South Shore soon.

9:00 – 11:00 pm – PARTY NOIRE

The evening culminates in a Party Noire takeover of the Green Line Performing Arts Center.

This free event includes 2 drink tickets. Bartender will check ID for 21+. Registration does not guarantee entrance. Attendance is first come, first served.

Co-presented by Arts + Public Life and Sisters in Cinema, in collaboration with Party Noire, with support from the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, the Biological Sciences Division – Diversity and Inclusion, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Sojourner Truth Festival of the Arts.

If you have any questions about access or to request a reasonable accommodation that will facilitate your full participation in this event such as ASL interpreting, captioned videos, electronic text, etc. please contact the event organizer.

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Tags: Arts + Public Life, Chris Smith, Donna Rose Weems, Fierceness Served : Creating Black Queer Cultural Space, Green Line Performing Arts Center, Karlie Thornton, Michelle Parkerson, Nick Alder, Party Noire, Sisters in Cinema, Stephanie Coleman, Washington Park, Yvonne Welbon