Commissioner Miller To Host 'Black History In Our Backyards'

OAK FOREST, IL — Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (D-6th) is hosting a Black History Month Facebook Live event with local historian Dr. Larry McClellan on Saturday. The purpose of the event is to highlight areas in the Southland that have made a significant impact in Black History, according to a news release from Miller's office.

McClellan, a retired professor and published scholar has conducted research that focuses on historic highways, the Underground Railroad in Illinois and African American and regional history south of Chicago, according to the release.

McClellan presented research papers on the Underground Railroad at previous annual meetings of the Illinois State Historical Society and for national conferences of the National Park Service Network to Freedom program, the release states. He was also the principal researcher for successful applications for listings on the Network to Freedom national register of Underground Railroad sites for Crete, Lockport and the Ton Farm site on the Little Calumet River, according to the release.

"The Southland is rich with sites that have important significance to Black History,” Miller said. “Dr. McClellan has almost brought the sites we’ve visited throughout the month to life with his knowledge and descriptions! I am looking forward to hearing him delve deeper into some of the locations this Saturday.”

The event will take place at 12 p.m. this Saturday and can be found on Facebook @CookCountyCommissionerDonnaMiller.

The 6th District includes parts of Oak Forest, Tinley Park, Chicago Heights and more. See more about Miller and other towns she represents, here.