ALDERMAN STEPHANIE COLEMAN SET TO HOST SIXTH ANNUAL “ENGLEWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL”


ALDERMAN STEPHANIE COLEMAN SET TO HOST SIXTH ANNUAL  “ENGLEWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL”

 

COLEMAN TO BE JOINED BY VARIOUS ELECTED LEADERS IN CELEBRATION OF THE GROWING VITALITY IN THE 16TH WARD

 

OVER 5,000 ATTENDEES SET TO CELEBRATE THE VIBRANCY, 

RESILIENCE, AND PROMINENT FUTURE OF THE ENGLEWOOD AREA 

THROUGH THE ART OF MUSIC

 

GRAMMY-NOMINATED R&B POWERHOUSE SYLEENA JOHNSON 

LEADS POWERHOUSE LINEUP FOR ENGLEWOOD MUSIC FEST FEATURING KING GEORGE, JOE GLOBAL, KENYOTTA KENCHRIS & PASTOR DERAIL SMITH

 

Saturday, September 12th (12:00 PM - 7:00 PM)

 6400 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60621

 

Stephanie Coleman, Alderman of the 16th Ward, will be joined by local Congressmen, State Senators, State Representatives, Chicago Aldermen, and Cook County Commissioners, kicking off the much-anticipated Sixth Annual Englewood Music Fest. (EMF) Over 5000 people are expected once again to partake in an evening full of love, stellar music performances, awesome food, and beautiful vibes. The event will feature live music, local vendors, back-to-school programming, prizes, and more!


“I’m grateful to have such dynamic star entertainers such as Syleena Johnson, King George, Kenyotta Kenchris, Kemistry, Pastor Derail Smith, and The Cosmopolitan Warriors, as well as other performers coming to Chicago to bring joy, laughter, and peace to the thousands expected in attendance. Englewood is the very fiber of Chicago that produces talent, wonderful musicians, and products that can be viewed and heard nationwide. We are truly ENGLEWOOD PROUD,” says Alderwoman Stephanie Coleman of the 16th District.


“This festival is our annual free gathering that strengthens our community, celebrates the talent of Englewood, and provides opportunities for families to come together in a safe, vibrant setting. I am proud to lead this 6th anniversary celebration and invite everyone to register on the Englewood Music Fest website to attend at no cost, with optional upgrades for an elevated lounge experience and opportunities to support the festival through donations.”


The mass audience is allowed free entry with registration on the Englewood Music Fest website via the following link: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/emf2026/tickets.


The day-long event will start at Noon on Halsted at 64th Street. It will feature local and nationally renowned musical artists as well as food, retail vendors, health awareness and screenings, school supplies, youth activities and a senior pavilion. The event is expect to exceed approximately 5,000 people to attend in person.


Alderman Coleman is grateful for this year’s sponsors:

Airbnb, Wintrust, Google, Amazon, HMS Host, Teamwork Englewood, Englewood Arts Collective, Grow Greater Englewood, Illinois Lottery, Hennessy, White Castle, Kennedy King College, People’s Gas, Comcast, Buddy Bear Car Wash, Howard Brown Health, and more!



Important Notes:


· 3rd year on the Kennedy King College campus (64th & Halsted)

· No on-site parking; guests are encouraged to utilize public transit and rideshare.

· Green Line train (Halsted stop) is recommended; Rideshare through Lyft is encouraged.

· Food trucks and the Libations Garden will be open throughout the event.


Community Partnerships and Experience:


· Arts and stage experience curated by the Englewood Arts Collective

· Enhanced stage experiences from 12:00 PM–4:00 PM

· Senior Pavilion premiere location for dignified, comfortable viewing

· Family-friendly activities designed for children and young adults.


Visit the Englewood Music Fest official website to register for free admission, upgrade options, and the latest lineup announcements: https://www.englewoodmusicfest.com.


Follow Englewood Music Fest on social media for updates and spotlight features.


Headliner: Syleena Johnson (Performer Bio)

 

For more than two decades, Syleena Johnson has commanded the worlds of R&B and soul with a voice defined by power, vulnerability, and unmistakable authenticity. A Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, author, television personality, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate, Johnson has built a career that extends far beyond the recording studio while remaining deeply rooted in the rich musical traditions of Chicago.

Born in Harvey, Illinois, and raised in the Chicago area, Johnson was surrounded by music from an early age. She is the daughter of legendary blues and soul singer Syl Johnson, whose influence helped shape her appreciation for live musicianship, blues, gospel, and classic soul. Johnson further developed her musical foundation through church choirs, local performances, and formal studies in music.


Johnson emerged nationally with the release of Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness in 2001. The project introduced audiences to her emotionally charged vocal style and included the standout single “I Am Your Woman.” One of Johnson's most recognizable career moments arrived through her collaboration with fellow Chicago artist Kanye West on the 2004 hit “All Falls Down.” Her soulful vocals became an essential part of the record, which reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Johnson and West a Grammy nomination. Her Grammy recognition would later extend to West's Donda, which received an Album of the Year nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy lists Johnson as a two-time Grammy nominee.


Throughout her career, Johnson has demonstrated an ability to evolve without abandoning the soul foundation that first distinguished her voice. Her catalog has included collaborations with artists such as Common, Anthony Hamilton, and Musiq Soulchild, while projects including Rebirth of Soul and Woman have explored classic musicianship, womanhood, resilience, relationships, and personal empowerment. Her 2024 album, Legacy, continued that journey while celebrating artistic independence and the musical foundation that has shaped her life.

Johnson's impact has also reached television audiences. She became a familiar personality through TV One's R&B Divas: Atlanta and later expanded her presence through programs including Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars and the daytime talk show Sister Circle. Her television career allowed audiences to experience another dimension of Johnson, one marked by candor, humor, confidence, and a willingness to openly discuss relationships, family, career, and personal growth.


Beyond entertainment, Johnson has used her platform to encourage conversations surrounding women's empowerment, wellness, and transformation. She has ventured into health and fitness and is also an author, further establishing herself as a multidimensional creative and businesswoman whose influence cannot be confined to a single industry.

At the heart of Syleena Johnson's career, however, remains the voice, a commanding instrument capable of carrying the grit of blues, the emotion of gospel, and the vulnerability of contemporary R&B. From her Chicago-area beginnings to Grammy recognition, television, entrepreneurship, and an expansive recording catalog, Johnson has created a body of work that reflects both artistic longevity and personal evolution.


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