Peoria Dedication Success!
Dr. Elaine Gordon has been a phenomenal force behind this effort! We thank her, Pastor Burns, and the entire Ward Chapel, A.M.E. family for their strength, courage, and for becoming Site 13 on the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois.
All Power to the People!
On June 28, 2025, the first marker of the inaugural Heritage Trail was dedicated at Peoria’s Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church. Peoria Defense Captain Mark Clark started the city’s Free Breakfast for Children Program at the city’s oldest church. Mark was the first to be assassinated on December 4, 1969, in an FBI and Chicago police coordinated attack.
The church continued the feeding program until the COVID-19 pandemic, and the dedication was held on Mark’s 78th birthday.
Photo: Jonathan Solomon, (right) Pastor Cyrus Burns and Reverend Doctor Elaine Gordon delivered dedication remarks.
The family of Mark Clark carried the day! We learned about Mark’s upbringing, skills, personality and more. Did you know Mark was in the NAACP before joining the Party? Just like Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton!
Rose Clark Morris and Dr. Patricia Clark Lewis made sure the event was an amazing experience for all.
Be sure to visit the Clark Virtual Museum, run by Rose and other Clark family members!
Dr. Cheryl Peterson, M.D., delivered remarks on Mark and the Illinois Chapter, and how important he was to the chapter.
Dr. Peterson worked at the Spurgeon “Jake” Winters People’s Medical Care Center and went on to a lifelong career in healthcare.
There were many Illinois Chapter members present! Thank you for making the trip to Peoria with your friends and family!
We are in Fellowship Hall, the same place where the Free Breakfast for Children was held.
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When you give, you are helping to create space to salute and celebrate the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party.
It is up to all of us to preserve this history.
Your help is essential.
