About the Bridge

A dream to engage Chicago’s artists while giving back to the organizations that empower and sustain creatives in the city sparked the creation of The Bridge. What began as an idea to bring Jamila Woods and Shawnee Dez on as performers quickly grew into a larger vision: a co-curated benefit concert that would embody community in both practice and spirit. Together, the three artists shaped The Bridge into an event designed by and for Chicago, centering artistry as a tool for connection and impact.

The premiere of The Bridge took place on August 8th, 2025, at Lincoln Hall, featuring curators and performers Jamila Woods, Shawnee Dez, and Senite, alongside sets from MEH and Naira Bills, and hosted by acclaimed poet Raych Jackson. The entire event was curated, led, and supported by Black women for Semicolon Bookstore, a Black, queer, femme-owned nonprofit and cultural hub in Chicago. Promotional partnerships with BlackHoneyBun Productions/Hoodwives Chicago and sponsorship support from the Poetry Foundation, Field Foundation, and Block Club Chicago elevated the night into a citywide moment of celebration and solidarity.

The result was a resounding success: over 300 attendees came together in support of Semicolon, raising nearly $10,000, with every ticket directly funding the beneficiary. The Bridge proved itself as more than a concert—it was a movement rooted in love, creativity, and collective care. Looking forward, the team behind The Bridge envisions expanding the series into a lasting platform, whether through intimate gatherings or larger-scale productions, continuing to connect Chicago’s artists with their communities in powerful, transformative ways.