City on Fire: Educators Forum

This year marks a grim centennial in Chicago, the 100^th anniversary of the race riot of 1919 – a week of attacks that began with the drowning death of a black teenager, Eugene Williams, and ended with 38 people dead and hundreds more injured across the city.

In recognition of this violent summer in the city’s history, WBEZ Chicago and Make-Believe Association created City on Fire: Chicago Race Riot 1919, a 30-minute radio play that draws from historical documents, as well as newspaper and other contemporary accounts, to recreate the events surrounding the 1919 race riot.

Join City on Fire writers, WBEZ’s Natalie Moore and Make Believe Association Founder and Executive Producer Jeremy McCarter, for a special listening session and conversation with Chicagoland educators. Taking place at WBEZ’s Navy Pier Studios, this event will give educators an opportunity to discuss the significance of the 1919 race riot and how historical dramas such as City on Fire can be used in the classroom. Light refreshments will be served and reduced parking vouchers will be available for $5.

City on Fire artwork created by Carly Pearlman.