CHICAGO—With determination in their eyes and warm smiles, Black men and concerned men from every corner of the city filled Mosque Maryam well before the historic “Men’s Only Meeting” program began on Monday, Nov. 17.
The men gathered in anxious anticipation to see the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, whose radiant smile and presence toward the close of the program, added to the uplifting and positive spirit of the meeting, themed “Let’s Make Our Community A Safe And Decent Place To Live.”
Educators, former street organization members, authors, college professors, law enforcement officers, entrepreneurs, Christian pastors, Muslims, Hebrews, activists, athletes, organizers and elders sat shoulder-to-shoulder in the F.O.I. (Fruit of Islam, the men of the Nation of Islam) class.
It was both a mini reunion for some and an opportunity to connect with new, like-minded men for others.
Men came wearing suits and bow ties, fezzes, fraternity jackets, berets, jeans and gym shoes—reflecting the full spectrum of Black manhood in Chicago.
Some arrived searching for direction; others came to recharge a commitment first made on October 16, 1995, when nearly two million Black men stood on the National Mall pledging to atone, unite and rebuild their communities at the call of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Men from across the country watched online at various Nation of Islam mosques and study groups, adding to the national sense of renewal.
The intergenerational, cross-geographical crowd responded to the call from the Nation of Islam leadership to gather and address solutions to the problems in our communities.
The room filled with eager anticipation as attendees contemplated being in the presence of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. During the program, his son, Student Supreme Captain Mustapha Farrakhan, longtime aide Brother Leonard F. Muhammad and Student Minister Jeffrey Muhammad welcomed the men and thanked them for their attendance.
Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, delivered a powerful message filled with quotes of guidance from Minister Farrakhan, from messages he has shared at various times throughout the decades.
Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad grounded the night in scripture and mission. Drawing from the book of Genesis, he explained that true “time” for an oppressed people begins only when they are freed from the grip of their oppressor. It is the arrival of light and knowledge that strikes the equator of the mind and starts the motion necessary for transformation.
“This is a call to us as men to make our community a decent and safe place to live,” he said. “God is present. God is with us. And God backs us 100 percent if we are willing to obey and do His will,” he said.
The men also viewed a special represented video message from Minister Farrakhan reaffirming the pledge of responsibility, unity and neighborhood transformation. The message underscored the immeasurable value of the F.O.I. and the divine worth of the people they serve.
“Do you know how valuable you are?” Minister Farrakhan asked in the clip, shown to the men in attendance. “Even more valuable than you and me are the people you are going after.”
He continued by illustrating that even when a Black person exhibits degraded behavior, “underneath all that is God.” Minister Farrakhan also expressed the need for men to go into the community with a spirit of love, kindness and mercy to ensure success.
Minister Farrakhan, who attended the gathering, thanked the men for coming and expressed joy at seeing so many brothers united in purpose.
Represented in the audience were leaders and members from the Moorish Science Temple of America, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Father Michael Pfleger, the Black Panther Party, the Temple of Mercy (Men in Black), the Original Hebrew Israelite Nation, pastors and others—each carrying legacies of advocacy and service.
What took place was more than an event. It was a reminder, many said, that responsibility is not seasonal—and that the spirit of the Million Man March still breathes.
Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., carrying the legacy of his father, said the gathering had a clear and unmistakable energy.
“Motivation and inspiration,” he reflected afterward, describing the atmosphere as a living coalition. He noted the “release of pheromones,” the unspoken spiritual charge that occurs when Black men reclaim accountability and collective vision. “Ain’t nobody gonna save us but us,” he said, urging brothers to “update and keep it moving.”
Across the sanctuary of Mosque Maryam, that spirit of renewal appeared again and again.
Bro. Dr. Alli Muhammad remembered attending the Million Man March as a young man and said the evening felt like a divine return to that transformative moment.
“Nothing changed my life like the Million Man March,” he said. Hearing Minister Farrakhan’s video presentation and the guidance delivered by Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad brought back “that spirit from 1995,” which he described as a much-needed recharge in 2025. He called the timing “divine design.”
Longtime organizer Bro. Gregory Sain said what happens next depends on internal work.
“I would hope that every individual will begin to look at themselves in a very divine way,” he said, urging Black men to cultivate the dormant love that can soften hardened hearts, redirect younger brothers and reshape communities.
Noting that many neighborhoods are controlled economically by outsiders, he said transformation must begin in the mind. “Men are hungry and thirsty for answers,” he said, comparing the gathering to the early days after the March. “We don’t want it to go away.”
Bro. Wallace “Gator” Bradley, a well-known figure in the movement for justice, said the 30-year arc since 1995 is now producing visible fruit. “When you see me with my (pastoral) collar, it’s like what the leader (Minister Farrakhan) was saying,” he reflected, pointing to God’s use of ordinary men as vessels for extraordinary work. He expressed hope for long-sought justice.
Others, like Bro. Dolphin Norris, a restaurateur, came simply for the chance to see Minister Farrakhan again and to reconnect with the collective spirit the Nation of Islam has long cultivated.
“It did my heart so much good to see so many of us together,” he said, stressing that the next phase requires “boots on the ground” and firm action.
Bro. Father Michael Pfleger, a longtime supporter of peace and justice efforts, was among those moved by the gathering. Afterward, he expressed gratitude for the guidance delivered by Minister Farrakhan and Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad expressing, “We will make our communities decent and safe.”
As the men departed, some clutching a written copy of the Million Man March Pledge, others with tears, others in quiet contemplation or embracing one another—the feeling was unmistakable: something had been rekindled.
The Million Man March planted seeds of responsibility, brotherhood and moral renewal throughout Chicago and the world. Three decades later, Black men in Chicago declared that those seeds are still alive and ready to bear new fruit.
In other parts of the country, men viewed the special program and those same feelings and thoughts of brotherhood and service were sparked.
The event left a lasting impression on many in St. Lous. Bro. Lamar Williams, who was present at the meeting, shared his experience with heartfelt emotion.
“The unity was so beautiful and it reminded me of the Million Man March,” he said. “To bring all those brothers together again in an overwhelming response is proof that we must come together to help our community be better.”
For younger attendees like 23-year-old Bro. Jabril A. Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan’s words offered practical wisdom. “It reminded me of how to be willing to give to others and not want or expect anything in return, no matter what position you have that’s better than someone else.”
In Philadelphia, affectionately known as “The City of Brotherly Love,” over 100 men watched the program via livestream at Mosque No. 12.
“It was beautiful. Everything was a blessing,” said Bro. Robert Ruffin, who pledged to return for future meetings. “I loved it. Yes, sir. A hundred percent.” Others emphasized the clarity and urgency of the message that was delivered.
Bro. Muhsin Aaqil-Bey, a South Philadelphia resident and grandfather of four, described the program as “very insightful” and “powerful.” He added, “One dreadlock is stronger than one strand. One fist is stronger than one finger. We need that unity, brother. This is a message my grandchildren need to hear.”
For Bro. Edgar Barraza, the evening carried a sense of honor. “It was beautiful to see Minister Farrakhan share his heart with us. These are necessary issues that must be addressed for the development of our people and the safety of our communities.”
The theme of love and brotherhood echoed throughout the night. Bro. Sulaiman Beyah reflected, stating, “The high point was love. We can’t do anything until we express love for each other, concern (and) empathy.”
Bro. Darrick Walton described the meeting as “awesome” and “very enlightened,” while Bro. Kyrie Daughtry said the message reminded him that “we are viable people.” Both men expressed eagerness to return.
For Bro. Suleman Muhammad, the revival of the gathering was itself a milestone. “It’s always positive energy when you have the meetings. I’m glad they started back. Mobilize the community, get us out there together.
The love of your brother—that was outstanding. And when the Minister (Farrakhan) came on, that was icing on the cake.”
The spirit of renewal was perhaps best captured by Bro. Lucas Nascimento, who said, “Only God could have brought me here to feel what I’m feeling now.
I feel full of light, full of energy, and supercharged to do the work of justice in my community. Just being allowed to walk through that front door was the high point.”
From seasoned elders to younger men the message, the gathering reflected a cross-generational hunger for unity, clarity, and action. The evening closed with a sense of momentum—an affirmation that the work of building safer, stronger communities begins with love, brotherhood, and a shared vision.
Contributing Writer Michael Z. Muhammad reported from Philadelphia and Contributing Writer J.A. Salaam reported from St. Louis.
