For The Culture Series:
A Beat Collaborative

Intentional Spaces.
Meaningful
Experiences.

For The Culture Series was created to make Downtown Champaign summers feel bigger, louder, more connected, more inclusive, more diverse, and more alive!

While The Beat will still bring four major nights of music and energy to Market Street, we heard YOU, the community, wanting more! More places to gather, more experiences, more culture, and more ways to connect and have fun all summer long.

And that is where For The Culture is born.

For The Culture is rooted in celebrating the joy, creativity, expression of our Black communities in Downtown Champaign, and creating moments that make our city feel alive and ever changing! We truly hope everyone joins in and enjoys this new series.

Community
Partnerships

Dr. Marlon Mitchell & First Followers

First Followers serves as a lead community partner for several For the Culture activations, helping connect residents to meaningful opportunities. They are hosting the Harlem Renaissance Fashion Show and Clothing Drive, the Professional Black Networking Event, Cooking with Soul, and the Sneaker Ball.

Comedian: Sheena Huntt

Sheena Huntt is an entertainer. She brings comedy and lightheartedness with any experiences that bring people together. She is hosting R&B Bingo at Hounds Court and Comedy & Open Mic Night at the Literary.

Our Tech LLC

Our Tech serves as a secondary lead community partner for several For the Culture activations. They are hosting Afro Taste & Tell, Mind & Sound at NSB and Pre-Gaming at The Beat, where attendees can enjoy Street Fighter tournaments, gaming experiences, dominoes, spades, and other community-centered activities before The Beat on Market Street begins.

Spoken Word Artist: Donte Winslow

Known to many adults as Zen the Rapper and to many Unit 4 and Urbana students as Mr. Zen, Donte Winslow uses music & storytelling to bring people together. He is hosting the Black Night of Elegance: Jazz, Cocktails & Gowns at Hounds Court and co-hosting Comedy & Open Mic Night at The Literary alongside Sheena Huntt.

Their Role:

Behind every For the Culture event is a group of community leaders, artists, business owners, and organizations who believe that culture has the power to bring people together.

These partners are more than event hosts. They are storytellers, connectors, mentors, educators, and advocates who help transform ideas into meaningful experiences for the community. From music and food to networking, art, wellness, and entrepreneurship, each partner brings their own passion, expertise, and vision to the series.

Whether you're interested in attending an event, getting involved, volunteering, becoming a sponsor, or simply learning more, our community partners are often the best place to start. They are the boots on the ground helping make these experiences possible.

Questions about a specific event? Reach out directly to the community partner coordinating that activation.

For general information about the For the Culture series, partnership opportunities, media inquiries, interviews, or City of Champaign programming, please contact:

Keke Johnson
Events & Programs Specialist
City of Champaign Planning & Development Department
kayla.johnson@champaignil.gov

Together, we're building spaces where culture, creativity, community, and connection can thrive.