Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois
Site 4
Better Boys Foundation
Photo: April 1, 1969, two brothers at the Illinois Chapter’s Free Breakfast for Children Program. Chicago History Museum, Chicago Sun-Times Collection
Site 4: Better Boys Foundation
The Archie Moore Boxing Gym became the Better Boys Foundation and was considered neutral ground in the gang-divided territory of North Lawndale. Illinois Deputy Minister of Education Billy Brooks was a member. He and Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton started the Illinois Chapter’s first Free Breakfast for Children Program there on April 1, 1969. Credit: Unknown
Site 4
Name
Archie Moore Boxing Gym later became the Better Boys Foundation.
Location
1512 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60623, North Lawndale.
Historical Period of Significance
1969-1974.
Original Structure
Demolished, New Structure.
Panther Activities
Free Breakfast for Children Program, first location
Historical Marker Installation Status
Installed.
Billy “Ché” Brooks after historical marker installation on August 19, 2025. Photo: Leila Wills
PHOTOS
The April 27, 1969, issue of "The Black Panther" newspaper featured reports from chapters and branches around the country on the new Free Breakfast for Children Program. The Illinois Chapter's program began on April 1, 1969, at the Better Boys Foundation. Other Heritage Trail Sites that opened in April 1969 were Madden Park in Ida B. Wells (Site 9) and St. Dominic's Church in Cabrini Green (Site 3).
Deputy Minister of Education Billy "Ché, Brooks was a member of the Better Boys Foundation. He and Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton met with the BBF's board and persuaded them to allow the Panthers to start the program. Photo from January 1, 1969, by Paul Sequeira/Getty Images
On April 1, 1969, Fred Hampton talks with children on the first day of the Illinois Chapter's Free Breakfast for Children Program at the Better Boys Foundation, the program's first location. The Illinois Chapter served 83 children on the first day and 1,100 children during the first week. Photographer Dave Fornell, ST-19031010-0001, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum.
Boxing promoter Joseph Kellman was the founder of the Archie Moore Gym. North Lawndale was mostly white when Kellman lived there with his family. He was a rare white person who stayed throughout its transition during the Great Migration. He thought boxing was a way to develop boys in the neighborhood and keep them out of trouble. Later, he wanted to do more. Kellman renamed the organization the Better Boys Foundation and offered additional services to the community. The BBF continues to this day under the Joseph Kellman Family Foundation, and the block at 15th and Pulaski was renamed the Honorary Joseph Kellman Way. Photo courtesy of the Better Boys Foundation.
Social worker Useni Eugene Perkins was the program director for the Henry Horner Chicago Boys Club before leading the Better Boys Foundation, succeeding Warner Saunders. Perkins became known as an activist, author and poet, and worked for the Chicago Urban League and DuSable Museum of African American History. His works are preserved at the Chicago Public Library. Photo: Promotional photo.
April 1, 1969, children gathered at the Illinois Chapter's Free Breakfast for Children Program at the Better Boys Foundation. Photographer Dave Fornell, ST-19031010-0011, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum
Warner Saunders, left. See historic photo caption in the next photo.
Historic photo caption of Warner Saunders' picture in 1971.
When the BBF was newly formed, Archie Moore offered to be Staff Director, and Joe Kellman accepted. Kellman said that the BBF chose boxing for the underprivileged youth in the area because boxing appealed to Cobras, Vice Lords, and Imperials gangs. The BBF became a successful neutral territory for neighborhood boys. Photo: Chicago Tribune, December 14, 1961
