'Beyond the Borders' Celebrates Black Lives In March, Block Party

CHICAGO, IL — Beyond the Borders Chicago will be hosting its last march of the summer through followed by block party this Saturday, Sept. 5. The march is tentatively set to start at 2 p.m. followed by a block party showcasing Black-owned businesses and Black culture.

Beyond the Borders Chicago has been organizing protests in different neighborhoods and towns throughout the summer, including Palos Park, Tinley Park, Joliet and other south suburbs. The summer marches endeavor to bring a message of ending systemic racism beyond the borders of Chicago to predominantly white communities "that need to hear us the most” and cultivating white allies to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The new location is a last minute change and will be held on the same late where the Beverly Farmers Market is located.

Beyond the Borders will step off at 2 p.m from 1835 W. 95th St. traveling west to Western Avenue, and returning to 95th Street and Longwood Drive.

“The Chicago Police Department has been working with organizers and other law enforcement agencies to ensure adequate resources are available to maintain public safety during this event,” Ald. Matt O’Shea said in an email to 19th Ward residents. “That being said, there will likely be traffic delays on 95th Street during this time.”

As summer winds down this Saturday’s march and block party are the last to take place before founders and sisters Janet and Jennifer Martin, of Orland Park, head back to college. Beyond the Borders was created the umbrella of the "Beauty and Brains" non-profit that since 2018 has provided educational resources and networking opportunities to African-American women in college.

“We want to make this a celebration of Black lives. We dance in the street while fighting for Black equality,” said Janet Martin, 24, a medical student at Southern Illinois University. “We’re not here to be violent or cause trouble. We want people to see [Black people] as human beings.”

Families and neighborhood residents are welcome to march and/or come out for the “authentic Chicago block party.” Black-owned businesses will be on hand to showcase their goods and services. The block party also features food, music and a double-Dutch jump roping contest.

"Having marches in these neighborhoods, where you see a few residents stuck in their ways, allows us to give a space for allies to step forward and hold their neighbors accountable," Jennifer Martin, 20, told Patch earlier this summer.

The celebration will culminate in the awarding of scholarships from Beauty and Brains. She Votes Illinois will be registering voters to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

For more information about Beyond the Borders Chicago and this Saturday’s upcoming march and block party or to RSVP, email beyondtheborderschi@gmail.com.