April 01, 2025
Learning from the Past, Empowering the Future
"If you don’t know it and learn from it, you are subject to repeat it." – Elder Wheeler Parker Jr.
History came to life in our clubhouse as youth had the powerful opportunity to learn directly from those who lived it. Through firsthand accounts and interactive experiences, they gained a deeper understanding of the past and how it continues to shape the present.
Elder Wheeler Parker Jr., the last surviving witness to the kidnapping of Emmett Till, shared his personal story, offering insight into one of the most pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement. His words connected our youth to history in a way that no textbook ever could, reinforcing the importance of remembering and learning from the past.
Mr. Billy Brooks, former Deputy of Education for the Chicago Chapter of the Black Panther Party, spoke about the Party’s enduring legacy. He shared the history of the Free Breakfast Program, which began right here at 1512 S. Pulaski and ultimately laid the foundation for school breakfast programs across the country. He encouraged our youth to see themselves as agents of change, reminding them that empowerment, liberation, and leadership begin within them.
Mr. Rogers’ Mobile Museum provided a powerful visual journey through African American history, taking attendees from slavery and the Jim Crow era to the Civil Rights Movement and today. The museum showcased the strength of Black leaders and communities, and highlighted stories of self-expression, resistance, empowerment, leadership, and progress.
Throughout the event, our youth engaged with history in a deeply personal way—asking questions, sharing reflections, and seeing how the past connects to their own lives and futures. Moments like these remind us that history is not just something to be studied but something to be lived, learned from, and used to inspire change.
