We Walk Throughout the Years
Since the inception of We Walk in 2020, the exhibiton has become one of HAMOC's most sucessful programs and exhibits. It was important to the museum to continue to uplift the positive accomplishments and contributions of the Black community - and continue to add to it. In 2021, We Walk: A Celebration of Black Community became an outdoor, community, traveling exhibition.
Education is at the core of HAMOC, and the We Walk exhibition was the perfect way to bring the museum's educational programs and exhibits to various parts of the Chicagoland area. Instead of people needing to visit the museum, the museum would visit them. At the core, the traveling exhibitions included 3-4 of the original smaller exhibits (with some upgrades), a musical performance, art projects and free food. The events were provided at no-cost to the community areas which provided the phsyical spaces and brought together individuals, children and families to the exhibit. These places include public parks, community gardens, block clubs, festivals and various community organizations.
As of today, the exhibiton has travelled to the Chicago neighborhoods of: Uptown, Bronzeville, Greater Grand Crossing, South Shore, North Lawndale, Garfield Park, Woodlawn and Evanson, IL.
Below are images of some of the We Walk exhibitions throughout the years. If you, or someone you know are looking to bring the We Walk exhibit to your community, please contact us at info@hamoc.org or 773-213-1869.
We Walk in Bronzeville - Alex Fleming, HAMOC's Membership Coordinator and Graphic Designer, created this design for exhibit guests to color while at the exhibit.
We Walk in Bronzeville - Crossing Borders Music performs for guests in the park.
We Walk in Evanston - The exhibit visits Dawes Park, pictured is the original Black Spirituality exhibit created by Mike King.
We Walk in Evanston - Dr. Cranston Rameriz Knight speaks with guests about his exhibit on Black Internationalism, another original 2020 We Walk exhibit.
We Walk in Greater Grand Crossing - Food for exhibit guests by a local restraunt.
We Walk in Greater Grand Crossing - Hosted at the 75th and South Saint Lawrence Block Club Community Garden, Ecos Del Pacifico Afrocolombia (EPA!) performs for guests.
We Walk in Garfield Park - HAMOC's We Walk First Blacks exhibit, including a newly developed lesson plan utilizing the exhibit materials.
We Walk in Garfield Park - Dr. Edward Davis IV, HAMOC Advisory Board Member, speaks with gusets on his exhibit on the Black Underground Railroad Illinois, another original 2020 We Walk exhibit.
We Walk in North Lawndale - Hosted by the Lawndale Popup Spot, a community space, including an art gallery, plant shop and more, created by Jonathan Kelley.
We Walk in North Lawndale - Local artist leads an interatcive stamp workshop for We Walk guests.
We Walk at Open Boulevards - HAMOC was invited to bring its We Walk exhibit to the City of Chicago Festival Open Boulevards. Over 500 people attended this free event.
We Walk at Open Boulevards - HAMOC collaborated with local church Stone Temple and their beautiful community garden and performance stage.
We Walk at Open Boulevards - Other local organizations created their own We Walk exhibits, full of interactives, information and freebies for the community.
We Walk in South Shore - HAMOC's collaborator We Heal Heal's art interactive for exhibit guests.
We Walk in South Shore - Guests dancing at the South Merril Community Garden.
We Walk in South Shore - Local news and TV reporters show up at the exhibit.