Resolution in Memory of Homer “Music Man” Cunningham, Jr.
December 15, 1953 – July 20, 2026
(right) Homer Cunningham, Jr. is closest to the camera as he and other Panthers listen to Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton speak in January 1969. Photo by Paul Sequeira / Getty Images.
WHEREAS, Homer Cunningham, Jr., affectionately known as “The Music Man,” was born on December 15, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised on Chicago’s West Side;
WHEREAS, in early 1969, at just fifteen years old, Homer joined the Black Panther Party and became one of the rank-and-file members whose commitment, labor, and service helped sustain the work of the Illinois Chapter in Chicago’s communities and across the Midwest;
WHEREAS, Homer’s Party work was centered primarily in the West Garfield Park and Austin communities, where he participated in the Black Panther Party’s political service and organizing efforts, including the Free Breakfast for Children Program at the Better Boys Foundation, the sale and distribution of The Black Panther newspaper, and other initiatives serving and educating the people;
WHEREAS, Homer’s service represents an essential part of the history of the Black Panther Party: the work of rank-and-file Panthers who carried the Party’s programs to the people, distributed its newspaper, and performed the work necessary to put the Party’s Ten-Point Platform and Program into practice;
WHEREAS, following his years as a young revolutionary in the Black Panther Party, Homer built a life distinguished by skilled work and a lifelong love of music. Homer became a machinist and spent more than four decades at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory;
WHEREAS, Homer also became widely known as “The Music Man” through his work as a WVON radio personality and disc jockey;
WHEREAS, those who knew Homer remember a man with a wonderful sense of humor who was kind and giving, well informed, and steadfast in his principles. He also had an enduring love of music and cars—especially Fords;
WHEREAS, Homer Cunningham, Jr. departed this life on July 20, 2026, leaving behind his family, friends, comrades, and all those whose lives were touched by his kindness, knowledge, humor, and service;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party honors the life and memory of Homer Cunningham, Jr., and recognizes his service as a rank-and-file member of the Black Panther Party and his contribution to the history of the Illinois Chapter and Chicago’s West Side communities;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that as we preserve and share the history of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, we also honor the rank-and-file members whose names may not always appear in the headlines or history books, but whose work helped make the Party’s political programs, organizing, and service to the people possible; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Homer Cunningham, Jr., and join his comrades, friends, and community in remembering “The Music Man” and the life he lived in service to the people.
Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.
All Power to the People.
Adopted this 8th day of August, 2026.
Historical Preservation Society of the
Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party
