The McKinley Foundation will screen A Raisin in the Sun on Friday, March 8, at 7 PM in the McKinley Foundation Living Room. There will be a post screening discussion featuring guest speaker Desiree Y. McMillion, PhD, Instructor in the UIUC Department of African American Studies.
This lauded drama follows the Youngers, an African-American family living together in an apartment in Chicago. Following the death of their patriarch, they try to determine what to do with the substantial insurance payment they’ll soon receive. Opinions on what to do with the money vary. Walter Lee (Sidney Poitier) wants to make a business investment, while his mother, Lena (Claudia McNeil), is intent on buying a house for them all to live in―two differing views of the American Dream.
This 1961 drama film directed by Daniel Petrie was adapted from the 1959 play of the same name by Lorraine Hansberry. It was groundbreaking when first released, and a wealth of future plays, films, and TV productions have taken their lead from this socially conscious drama.
Featured Guest
Desiree Y. McMillion, PhD, Instructor in the UIUC Department of African American Studies, will facilitate a pre- and post- screening discussion of the film. Dr. McMillion’s research and teaching interests include the nature and relationship of historic and contemporary experiences of African Americans in academia, the workplace, film, the community, and home environment.
Admission
Movie is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Free parking is available at the parking garage across the street.
This film is part of a year-long series exploring freedom in the 21st century, inspired by American artist Norman Rockwell’s paintings of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms (1941)—freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
You’re invited to attend the 10th Annual Social Justice Awards Gala on Saturday, March 30. Join us as we celebrate local heroes in the cause of social justice who make a difference in our community, country and world.
The McKinley Foundation will screen 13th, Ava DuVernay’s extraordinary and galvanizing documentary, on Friday, February 8, at 7 PM in the McKinley Foundation Living Room. There will be a post screening discussion featuring guest speaker Spencer Headworth, PhD, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Purdue University.
The McKinley Foundation is seeking nominations for its annual social justice awards, which will be presented at a gala on Saturday, March 30, with Dr. Rebecca L. Sandefur, who won a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship in 2018 for her work in civil justice, serving as keynote speaker.
The McKinley Foundation is a proud partner of the For Freedoms 50 State Initiative. For Freedoms is a platform for greater participation in the arts and in civil society. Inspired by American artist Norman Rockwell’s paintings of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms (1941)—freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear—For Freedoms Federation uses art to encourage and deepen public explorations of freedom in the 21st century.