CHICAGO—The Bud Billiken Parade is the largest Black parade in the United States. It is a highly anticipated annual event that has become a huge back-to-school celebration in Chicago’s Bronzeville and Washington Park communities for the past 96 years.
Robert Sengstacke Abbott, founder and publisher of the historic Chicago-based Black newspaper The Chicago Defender, began the annual parade in 1929 to honor the hard work of newsboys who sold the paper. It is a celebration of Black culture and heritage.
The parade was held on August 9 on a 91-degree Saturday. The two-mile route began with thousands of spectators from all over Chicago watching and cheering in the Bronzeville community until the Washington Park community was reached.
Activities included free haircuts, school supplies were provided, and resources were available such as college admissions representatives, employers and community organizations.
Members of the Nation of Islam from Mosque Maryam, educational organizations and schools, civil servants, health advocates and many others participated in this year’s event.
Nation of Islam Student Central Region F.O.I. Captain Dwayne Muhammad, along with the M.G.T. and G.C.C. Vanguard (young Muslim women) and F.O.I. (Muslim men) represented beautifully.
“This is the sixth Bud Billiken parade that I have done in the Nation of Islam,” Student Regional Captain Dwayne said. “We have participated in the parade in the 1990s and early 2000s, however, it has been a couple of years since we have been out here.”
He added, “Our presence out here is putting up what’s good for our people and projecting what’s good for our people.”
The Bud Billiken Parade website listed nearly 200 participants, including marching bands, drill teams, dance teams, tumblers, and other performers. These participants come from all over the country to march in the parade.
Derek Yelverton is board president of an organization that provided a mobile vision clinic. “We provide free vision screenings to children ages 3-18 in underserved communities in Chicago,” he said.
Jermaine Olorun, board president of a local health grassroots nonprofit, also participated. “This is our second year participating in the parade, and it has been a very good experience.”
Jayne Vellinga represents a local organization working with women in the trades. “Our organization was founded 44 years ago by tradeswomen to give women the opportunity to build high-wage careers in the growing construction trade. We have participated in the parade on and off for 20 years, and each time it gets better,” she said.
—Shawntell Muhammad, Contributing Writer
