The Bears recognized Juneteenth by joining the DuSable Museum of African American History Saturday as the museum reopened for the first time since the pandemic hit last spring.
The "Welcome Back" Ceremony took place in front of the museum and celebrated the return to business for the nation's first independent Black history museum. Additionally, the Bears and Bears Care provided a $19,000 donation to the museum.
"It's an honor to partner with the esteemed DuSable Museum of African American History, as we recognize Juneteenth and celebrate the museum's post-pandemic reopening," said Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey.
"Over the last year, they have continued to provide our coaches, players, staff and fans with unparalleled resources with which to educate ourselves on the countless remarkable achievements and contributions made by the Black community. On behalf of the Bears and Bears Care, I'm excited to announce our $19,000 donation to the museum. We are so grateful for their work."
McCaskey opened his remarks at Saturday's event by thanking Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who was also in attendance, for "leading us out of this pandemic."
"This reopening of DuSable Museum is just the latest step in our return to something approaching normal," McCaskey said. "The events of the last year have led the Bears among many organizations and individuals to sharpen our focus on racial justice and injustice. And we are grateful to the DuSable for being a resource for our players, staff and alumni as we continue what one of your exhibits calls the journey toward equality."
The Bears have partnered with the DuSable Museum on various initiatives since June 2020, when they held a special Juneteenth Twitter donation campaign led by Bears Care to benefit the museum. Through that campaign, $19,000 was donated by Bears Care to DuSable. In February, former Bears players Jerry Azumah and Rashied Davis took an exclusive tour of the DuSable Museum led by Dr. Kim Dulaney to learn about crucial moments in Black history.
The museum also helped coordinate player-led video interviews with prominent local Black historians, including a Civil Rights conversation with Lachavious Simmons and Dr. Kim Dulaney, a conversation on the history of HBCUs with Badara Traore and Dr. Dale Wesson and a Civil Rights conversation with Joel Iyiegbuniwe and military veteran Ted Manuel.
Fans are encouraged to visit the museum and check out its full schedule of summer entertainment. Free admission will be provided to all for the remainder of June. Museum hours will be Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The DuSable Museum Roundhouse Plaza, directly across the street from the museum, will hold events every week from June through October, including: DuJazz (Wednesdays), DuRhythm (Thursdays), DuHouse Music (Fridays); DuComedy (Saturdays) and a weekly Sunday DuSteppin' Day Party.
Tickets to all events can be purchased at dusablemuseum.org/event. The museum also will continue to offer its popular "Code Black" webcast series and special virtual movie screenings and events online.
About the DuSable Museum of African American History
The DuSable Museum of African American History is the oldest independent Black history museum in the nation. Its mission is to promote understanding and inspire appreciation of the achievements, contributions and experiences of African Americans through exhibits, programs and activities that illustrate African and African American history, culture and art.
The DuSable Museum is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate. For more information on the Museum and its programs, call 773-947-0600 or visit dusablemuseum.org.
