Honoring the journeys that shaped us
On April 4, 2025, at the Chicago Cultural Center, a significant event will take place honoring the legacy of Black migration while celebrating the future it has shaped. This event is produced and curated by Christina McField, the Founder and Creative Director of The WoodGrain Studio, LLC, in collaboration with the Mississippi Museum of Art. It is sponsored by Hope Credit Union and Visit Jackson. This special gathering will explore one of the most transformative periods in Black American history.
McField, a Mississippi native, has built a career on curating and producing spaces celebrating Black stories. As a multidisciplinary artist and cultural producer, she understands the power of creating experiences where history is not just remembered but felt. “This event is not just a moment in time to come together, but to celebrate the resilient spirit and rich heritage that connects Black folks, weaving together our shared history into a legacy of hope and transformation,” she shared.
That history is deeply rooted in the Great Migration – the movement of more than six million African Americans from the South to northern cities between 1910 and 1970. Fleeing racial violence, economic oppression, and the harsh realities of the Jim Crow south, Black families sought new beginnings in places like Chicago, Detroit, and New York. This migration gave rise to cultural renaissances, new economic opportunities, and political movements that reshaped America.
Chicago, one of the migration’s central destinations, remains a city built on the legacies of those who arrived searching for a better future. This event reflects on those legacies, featuring a panel discussion on cultural traditions, land ownership, economic mobility, and personal migration stories. Guests will also be able to enjoy a reception with southern hors d’oeuvres and beverages, followed by a DJ set by Sound Rotation (Duane Powell) to close out the evening in celebration.
At the heart of this event is “A Movement in Every Direction”, an exhibition co-organized by the Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) and the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) curated by Jessica Bell Brown and Ryan N. Dennis. It showcases newly commissioned works by 12 acclaimed artists, including Mark Bradford, Carrie Mae Weems, Theaster Gates Jr., and Allison Janae Hamilton. The exhibition examines the personal and communal experiences of the migration through paintings, sculptures, drawings, videos, and immersive art installations. The exhibition, which has traveled across the country, will be on view in Chicago until April 27, 2025.
Making this gathering even more significant is that it is led by a Mississippi woman, someone from the very soil where so many migration stories began. McField’s role in spearheading this event is a reminder that Mississippi has always been more than its history of oppression. Mississippi is in fact the birthplace of resilience and creativity. From Fannie Lou Hamer to B.B. King, our state has produced visionaries who have shaped the world. McField stands firmly within that lineage. Her ability to connect community members, musicians, and artists from the Chicago community whom are deeply connected to the Great Migration speaks to her commitment to ensuring Black stories are told with the depth and reverence they deserve.
McField sees this event as more than a historical reflection but as a gathering of family, a reminder we are still connected by the journeys of those who came before us. “This is a family reunion. This is about love and joy in one room, and getting to have the opportunity to curate and produce spaces like this brings me so much happiness to continue doing this work,” she said.
This event also serves as a call to action. Understanding the Great Migration helps us recognize the issues that still exist. Economic displacement, systemic barriers, and the ongoing fight for Black self-determination. It reminds us that migration has never just been about movement but about survival, adaptation, and creation.
For those in Chicago on April 4th, this is an opportunity to honor the past while preparing for the future. Whether you are a descendant of the Great Migration or simply someone valuing the power of Black storytelling, this event is not to be missed. It will be more than just a night of reflection. It will be a celebration of all that Black people have been and all that we are still becoming.
