Shermann Thomas, a self-taught historian and cultural worker from Chicago, will be the keynote speaker at Northwestern University's 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. Known as "Dilla," Thomas is the creator of the YouTube program “You Don’t Know Chi!” The event is scheduled for January 21 at Galvin Hall in Evanston, Illinois.

Thomas will engage in a conversation with Natalie Moore, a senior lecturer and director of audio journalism programming at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. The event is open to the public without reservations and will also be available via livestream on Northwestern’s MLK website.

Thomas, who resides on Chicago's South Side, founded Chicago Mahogany Tours to share insights into the city's history and culture. His storytelling extends across social media platforms under @6figga_dilla, where he has produced over 400 videos covering various aspects of Chicago's neighborhoods.

In his work, Thomas explores the history of areas like Chatham, highlighting its transformation from "Hog Swamp" to a middle-class African American community by the 1970s. He discusses historical figures associated with Chatham such as gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and Chance the Rapper.

His contributions have earned him accolades including Tourism Ambassador of the Year by Choose Chicago and other awards recognizing his efforts to promote Chicago globally. Nationally recognized, Thomas has appeared on programs like “The Today Show” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Leona Quist from Northwestern University expressed enthusiasm about Thomas' participation in this year's commemoration event: “We’re thrilled that Dilla is coming back to Northwestern for this year’s MLK Commemoration keynote address after a prior speaking engagement at Kellogg School of Management.” She noted that Thomas’ work aligns with Dr. King's legacy by shedding light on both historical achievements and ongoing challenges such as fair housing in Chicago.