Photos from Café Society gatherings around Chicago. Café Society fosters a more robust civil society, more cohesive and interactive communities, greater media literacy, and a more informed and engaged citizenry through weekly coffee shop conversations about contemporary social issues.

On May 3, 2010, The Public Square screened the winners of the 2009 Looking for Democracy Film Contest at Columbia College Chicago's Film Row Cinema. All photos by Ali Albakri.

On April 30, The Public Square and the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at UIC hosted another Shop Talk discussion at Ron's Barber Shop on Chicago's west side. The event featured Janet Smith, Associate Professor in UIC's Urban Planning and Policy Program and co-director of the Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement, talking about the transformation of public housing in Chicago.

On April 23, The Public Square and the Albany Park Theatre Project hosted a special performance of their new play "Feast!" followed by a discussion exploring the power and pleasure of food.

On April 2, The Public Square and the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at UIC hosted another Shop Talk discussion at Ron's Barber Shop on Chicago's west side. The event featured Dave Stovall, Assistant Professor of Policy Studies in the College of Education and the Department of African-American Studies at UIC.

On March 11, 2010, The Public Square and Th!nk Art Salon co-hosted a special performance and conversation by Muslim comedian Azhar Usman, which focused on how humor can help wage peace.

On January 29, 2010, The Public Square and the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at UIC hosted the first Shop Talk discussion at Ron's Barber Shop on Chicago's west side. The event featured Beth Richie, Professor of Criminal Justice and African-American Studies at UIC.

On January 17, 2010, The Public Square and Chicago Public Radio co-presented an afternoon of performance and discussion featuring acclaimed poets Carolyn Rodgers, John Murillo, and Aja Monet at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre in Chicago. This event was part of Chicago Public Radio's 2nd Annual Winter Block Party.

Photos from Public Square events during 2009

Photos from Public Square events during 2008

Photos from Public Square events during 2007