Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chuck D to Host Illinois Black Panthers at Chicago History Museum
The Video Will be Available Soon!
View Metropolis newspaper file with a fundamental overview of the Illinois Chapter.
“The Black Panther Party Influenced My Lyrics and My Life.”
The HPS Seeks National Register Listing for Black Panther Party Sites
Award-winning artist and Rock Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Chuck D will host “Meet the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party” at the Chicago History Museum on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The event highlights the activism and community service of the BPP along with a historic preservation drive to add sites of the Illinois Chapter to the National Registry of Historic Places.
The Fight the Power icon of Public Enemy is looking forward to Thursday. “The Black Panther Party influenced my lyrics and my life. It is my honor to observe the founding of the Party with the Illinois Chapter in Chicago. I am also a part of the historic preservation efforts being done on its behalf.”
Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the BPP on October 15, 1966, in Oakland and Chuck D will host a discussion with three Illinois members. Wanda Ross has the distinct recognition of having Illinois Chairman Fred Hampton officiate her wedding to Rufus “Chaka” Walls in 1969. Walls was the Illinois Chapter’s Deputy Minister of Information and Ross was a key organizer of the Breakfast Program. Ralph Bostick worked on opening the Free Medical Center and is in historic photos showing newly donated hospital beds and equipment. Billy “Ché” Brooks, Deputy Minister of Education, and Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton, opened the first Breakfast Program in North Lawndale. Brooks heads the Historical Preservation Society and more Illinois Chapter members will be in the audience.
At Thursday’s event, there will be a brief landmarking presentation by Leila Wills, Executive Director of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party (HPS). In February, Leila and the HPS will present a Multiple Property Document (MPD) to the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office in Springfield, IL. The MPD is a thematic study that provides the broader story of the Black Panther Party in Illinois and its significant historic context in local and national history. Properties significant to the IL-BPP will go on the National Register under this MPD.
Tickets must be purchased in advance!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Get Tickets
This event is sold out.
A private reception for the Illinois Chapter, our sponsors, and Historical Preservation Society members starts at 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 13th. Food will be served. Get your event tickets to be counted in!
Tickets & Group Discount
This event is sold out
The museum will be closed.
Your tax-deductible ticket helps make this event possible.
Please present your name and the receipt on October 13th for entry.
We look forward to seeing you!
We Thank Our Sponsors
In-Kind Support
Location and Directions
Chicago History Museum, 1st floor, Robert R. McCormick Theater
1601 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
FROM THE NORTH
Take the Kennedy (1-90/94) to the North Avenue exit. Travel east on North Avenue two miles to Clark Street.
FROM THE WEST
Take the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) to the Kennedy (I-90/94). Take the Kennedy to the North Avenue exit. Travel east on North Avenue two miles to Clark Street.
FROM THE SOUTH
Take I-90/94W to the North Avenue exit. Go east on North Avenue to Clark Street. Alternatively, take the 1-90/94 W to 1-55N, and follow I-55N to Lake Shore Drive. Continue north to the North Avenue exit. Then go west two blocks to Clark Street.
Parking
Public parking is conveniently located one block north of the Museum at Clark and LaSalle Streets; enter on Stockton Drive.
Cost: $10 with Museum validation. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards are accepted. Specially located spots are reserved for persons using mobility devices.
Call 312-642-4600 for more information.
The Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party
