Letter from the Executive Director
An exciting time
Dear Comrades and Supporters,
It is an exciting time of year.
WATCH: Heritage Trail Promo Video Narrated by Chuck D
October is Black Panther Party History Month, and October 15 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Party’s founding by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. As I reflect on all we have done and prepare to participate in the Oakland activities, I wanted to reach out to share how the Illinois Panthers are preserving their history, what your continued support is helping accomplish, and how we are institutionalizing the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois to make this history freely accessible worldwide.
My parents were in the Illinois Chapter, and I started down this preservation path six or seven years ago. My mother is very active in our organization along with many other Party members and Rainbow Coalition members. Lonnie Hall, our chair, Joan McCarty, our vice-chair, and Willie “Cap” Calvin, our advisor, are all Panthers involved in our organization and preservation efforts.
All of us financially support the Historical Preservation Society, and we have uploaded 21 oral histories to contribute to the Party’s enduring public narrative, with more on the way. The Oral History Collection is a powerful group of recordings with information you have never heard before. Isaac Castelaz, part of the Founding Cadre, has volunteered to help us prepare the transcripts, which we will upload to the collection when they are complete.
Isaac is part of our wonderful group of supporters that also includes Janice Feinberg. Janice is such a strong advocate of our work and freely shares her knowledge and expertise. You may have met Janice at some of our events, and she is a revolutionary in her own right.
Because public support is crucial to our continued success, her family’s foundation, the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, has generously contributed a $25,000 challenge to encourage our supporters to renew their giving. Every dollar donated will be matched by the Feinberg Foundation up to $25,000.
Grants fund programs; donations sustain the work.
Leila Wills at the Double Dedication Ceremony for the People’s Law Office and Church of the Holy Covenant, October 2025
The Heritage Trail is becoming an institution, and this ongoing work relies on your support. Nearly every aspect has a cost. We can only pay these expenses with public support. So far, we have raised $3,000 toward the $25,000 challenge. With the Feinberg Foundation match, this amount is doubled to $6,000. I’m hoping you will be inspired to give after reflecting on what we’ve accomplished so far. Please donate today to help us reach our goal of $25,000 in public donations.
Become an Annual Giver
The Historical Preservation Society has been fortunate to attract grants and institutional support. We have also successfully raised funds for projects such as the historical markers. But regular giving is essential to our success and the Heritage Trail's expansion.
Annual charitable giving is a great way to support the Heritage Trail. An annual gift commitment of $1,000 could be a single gift each year or regular donations of $83 a month, and it would help the Heritage Trail continue to develop and expand. Right now, we have 13 inaugural sites with a lot more needing development. Annual givers at the $1,000 level and above will be recognized on our website and at our events, but every amount helps. We are a small organization doing a tremendous amount of work, and we are grateful for all the support you give.
It is amazing to realize that more than 400 donors helped establish the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois.
We know this is because of the Party's work and sacrifice, and the 50-year smear campaign that became the public narrative.
We are factually challenging that narrative, and your support is making it happen.
Some of Our Accomplishments
2023 — Black Panther Party in Illinois added to the National Register of Historic Places through a Thematic Listing
2024–2025 — Foundation of the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois
2025 — Dedication ceremonies in Chicago and Peoria
2026 — City of Chicago work toward installation of our remaining historical markers (still ongoing; update expected in November)
2026 — Launch of the online Heritage Trail, with a promo video narrated by the one and only Chuck D
2026 — Launch of the Oral History Collection
2026 — Published two rare writings on the Illinois Chapter by historian Jon F. Rice, PhD: Up On Madison, Down on 75th and Black Revolutionaries on Chicago’s West Side
These are just a few of our accomplishments, and your support has been a major part of them.
Make a commitment during this Black Panther Party History Month to become a regular giver, explore the Heritage Trail, and listen to the Oral History Collection.
I am always available to answer any questions you may have, and thank you so much for your continued support.
All power to the people.
Leila