Chicago Bears will celebrate Black History Month by honoring the history, leadership and enduring contributions of Black individuals and communities whose influence has shaped the organization, the sport of football and the city of Chicago.
Centered on Love, Legacy and the City, the Chicago Bears' approach to Black History Month recognizes Black history as foundational to the franchise's story. From the organization's early days to the present, Black players, leaders, fans and communities have helped define the Bears' identity, influence the evolution of the game and shape Chicago's cultural fabric.
Throughout Black History Month, the Chicago Bears will highlight Black history as a living and evolving legacy reflected through storytelling, service, youth leadership and community engagement, building on work already underway across recent months.
Anchoring the Month Through Love, Legacy and the City with Shermann "Dilla" Thomas
The Chicago Bears will anchor their Black History Month storytelling around the theme Love, Legacy and the City, exploring the deep and evolving relationship between the organization, Chicago and the Black leaders and communities who have helped shape both.
As the central storytelling moment of the month, the Chicago Bears and The Triibe will collaborate on original content featuring Chicago cultural and urban historian and storyteller Shermann “Dilla” Thomas in conversation with Chicago Bears Vice President Brian J. McCaskey. Framed around what love and legacy mean to the Bears, the conversation reflects on how Black excellence, on the field, in the city and in the culture, has influenced the franchise across generations. Through reflection and shared perspective, the discussion examines how moments, leadership and community connection have shaped the Chicago Bears' identity, while looking ahead to how that legacy continues to evolve today.
Additionally, Dilla will lead a series of community tours this month for members of the Chicago Bears organization and community partners, including What's Your Forte (Matt Forte's nonprofit) and Art In Motion (Common's school). The tours will offer opportunities to visit cultural, educational and historical spaces across Chicago and learn more about Black history, creativity and legacy throughout the city. Fans and community members interested in participating in a tour with Dilla can learn more by visiting ChicagoMahogany.com.
Expanding Access to Bears History
As part of Black History Month, the Chicago Bears will continue to expand access to the franchise's history through the Virtual Halas Hall History Tour, an immersive digital experience that allows fans to explore key moments, figures and stories that have shaped the organization. The virtual Hall History Tour is also available in Spanish.
For the first time, the Virtual Halas Hall History Tour will also feature Flowers on the Fridge, a one-of-a-kind fine art jersey originally unveiled in London as part of the Chicago Bears' first-ever international fine art collaboration. The hand-painted jersey reimagines William "The Refrigerator" Perry's iconic Super Bowl XX uniform and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Chicago Bears' championship season.
Created by London-based artist Christian Jeffery, the artwork blends sport, fashion and cultural storytelling, incorporating Chicago's official flower, the chrysanthemum. The piece will be displayed at Halas Hall and accessible to fans through the Virtual History Tour.
Service as an Expression of Commitment
Service and community engagement remain central to how the Chicago Bears observe Black History Month. Through Bears Huddle, the organization's community service program, the Bears collaborate with fans, ticket holders, community members and partners to address local needs through hands-on volunteer opportunities across Chicago. Bears Huddle offers ongoing service initiatives throughout the year, bringing people together to strengthen communities through action.
Earlier this year, Bears Huddle volunteers participated in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in partnership with Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine, supporting the university's Street Medicine Program. Volunteers assembled hygiene kits for individuals experiencing homelessness, extending Dr. King's legacy of service through direct community care.
That work continues in February as Bears Huddle partners with The Salvation Army and Boeing to support the annual Bears Coat Drive, presented by Jewel-Osco, on Feb. 6. Families will be registered in advance and invited into the gym to select winter coats through a retail-style shopping experience designed to be welcoming, dignified and personal. Bears employees, community volunteers and Boeing employee volunteers will serve shoulder to shoulder throughout the event, supporting coat distribution, blanket making and snack pack assembly.
To learn more about volunteering for future events through the Bears Huddle program, visit ChicagoBears.com/Community/Bears-Huddle.
Internal Engagement and Professional Development
During Black History Month, the Chicago Bears will continue monthly internal programming in collaboration with the Building Leaders and Creating Community (B.L.A.C.C.) Bears Employee Resource Group, creating space for Black employees and allies to engage in education, professional development and community-focused dialogue across the organization. Led by Chidera Udeh, Social Media Coordinator, and Marquis White, Partnership Activation Coordinator, the B.L.A.C.C. Bears ERG is guided by four core pillars, education and professional development, business enhancement, community engagement and culture building.
For the third consecutive year, the B.L.A.C.C. Bears ERG will produce a "Black in Sports" panel conversation featuring Black professionals from across the organization. The recorded discussion will focus on leadership, career pathways, job training and interview preparation, with prompts themed around legacy. By sharing personal experiences and career insights, panelists will provide students and early-career professionals with real-world perspective and visibility into a range of roles within the sports industry.
The panel conversation will be recorded and shared online later this month via LinkedIn, with select clips amplified across social platforms, helping extend the conversation to a broader audience while elevating Black voices and lived experiences within the sports industry.
Later in February, the B.L.A.C.C. Bears ERG will also select a nonprofit organization to receive a $5,000 Volunteerism Grant through the NFL Foundation.
Player Leadership and Community Impact
The Chicago Bears' community impact is further amplified through the leadership of players, both current and alumni, who consistently use their platforms to uplift others. Throughout the season and offseason, players have led and supported initiatives focused on youth development, mentorship, education, health and wellness and career readiness.
From school visits and youth football clinics to nonprofit partnerships and community events, players help reinforce the idea that leadership extends beyond the field. Their involvement reflects a shared understanding that impact is strongest when it is personal, consistent and rooted in service.
One of the most impactful initiatives supported by current and former players this season was participation in the Becoming A Man (BAM) and Working on Womanhood (WOW) programs, organized by Youth Guidance and presented by DePaul University. Through visits to schools across Chicago, players and alumni engaged directly with students in these school-based counseling programs, which support young men and women in grades 6–12 through mentorship, social-emotional development, leadership building and personal growth, creating safe spaces that extend learning beyond the classroom.
By highlighting player-driven initiatives as part of Black History Month, the Chicago Bears recognize the important role athletes play in inspiring the next generation and strengthening connections between the organization and the communities it serves.
Black History Month Youth Leader Award
Later in the month, the Chicago Bears will recognize two recipients of the Black History Month Youth Leader Award, a Bears-exclusive program now in its second year. The award honors outstanding young leaders within the football community who demonstrate excellence both in the classroom and in their communities.
The recipients will include one boys tackle football student-athlete and one girls flag football student-athlete, or an individual who has made a meaningful impact within the football community. Honorees are selected based on leadership, academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to uplifting the Black community.
Nominated by their high school football or flag football coaches, the two recipients will also be invited to attend the team's training camp this summer. Nominations remain open through Wednesday, Feb. 4. To learn more or nominate, visit ChicagoBears.com/Community/Black-History-Month-Youth-Leader-Award
An Ongoing Commitment
Through storytelling, service, internal engagement, player leadership, youth empowerment and expanded access to history, the Chicago Bears will continue to observe Black History Month as part of a broader, ongoing effort connecting past, present and future. Additional storytelling and content will be shared throughout February across ChicagoBears.com, the team’s social platforms and the Chicago Bears Official App, brought to you by Verizon.
