AUGUST 10th | 10am-1pm
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Position #15A |
AUGUST 10th | 10am-1pm 〰️ Position #15A |
“We feel excited to be a part of this year’s Bud Billiken® Parade. The home movies from the Ramon Williams collection offer a window into the past, showcasing the joy, energy, and community spirit that has always defined the parade. I am also very impressed by the creativity of the young students and look forward to walking in the parade together with those talented youth.”
Celebrate Bud Billiken Parade History!
South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP), an initiative of Arts + Public Life (APL) at the University of Chicago, is thrilled to announce its participation in the 95th Bud Billiken® Parade.
SSHMP will stream rare scenes of the parade between the 1940s and 1960s from its newly digitized Ramon Williams Collection on a mobile screen. The talented students of APL’s Teen Arts Council will march alongside the mobile screen with their hand-made, vibrant banners
Parade-goers can expect to be transported back in time with captivating scenes from the archive, such as:
Legendary boxer Joe Louis leading the parade as Grand Marshall in 1948
The Chicago Defender Paperboys, for whom the parade was originally started to encourage youth literacy
Beauty Pageant queens from Chicago and other major cities
Youth bands and community groups showcasing the parade's vibrant spirit
Jazz pianist Dorothy Donnegan performing in the post-parade festival in Washington Park
ART + PUBLIC LIFE TEEN ARTS COUNCIL
In collaboration with the South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP), the Teen Arts Council created banners for the 95th Bud Billiken Parade using embroidery, appliqué, and sewing to honor the parade's history and SSHMP’s mission.
The students connected with ideals like Black Pride and Community, studying Pan-Africanism through textile art and archival footage of the Bud Billiken Parade. A highlight was a movie day where students watched Ramon Williams' films of the Bud Billiken Parade from 1940-1960. This inspired their banner designs.
Guided by Simone Scigousky, who joined TAC in fall 2023, the teens produced four banners using various fiber art techniques. This summer celebrated the legacy of African American and African art traditions.
Teen Arts Council students meet and introduce their banner design to South Side Home Movie Project founding director Dr. Jacqueline Stewart
“The Bud Billiken® Parade is a beloved Chicago tradition celebrating youth and education, and we are thrilled to have our South Side Home Movie Project and TAC participate in it. This activation, which aligns with APL’s cultural stewardship practice, is unique as it is both historic and filled with youthful enthusiasm. It is a perfect example of the synergy of creativity on the Arts Block.”