Latest news with #ChicagoDefenderCharities
Malaysian Reserve
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
Chicago P.D." Star LaRoyce Hawkins is Grand Marshal of the 96th Bud Billiken® Parade, Hosted by Chicago Defender Charities
The Bud Billiken® Parade, the largest African American parade in the United States. CHICAGO, July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On Saturday, August 9, 2025 the 96th Annual Bud Billiken® Parade will take place on Chicago's South Side and will be a star-studded celebration of youth, education, and excellence – headlined by a beloved hometown hero. Chicago P.D. star and Harvey, IL native, LaRoyce Hawkins, will serve as Grand Marshal for this year's parade and festival. This year's theme, 'Road to 100', highlights that we are a few years away from our 100th anniversary. Since 1929, The Bud Billiken® Parade continues to uplift, empower, and inspire, marking the back-to-school season with pride and purpose. 'Imagine being a 9-year-old Black boy from Harvey, Illinois. The first time I heard the words 'Bud Billikin,' I remember being amused by the whimsical alliteration. Growing up just outside of Chicago, my family didn't always have easy access to the parade – Chicago often felt like a field trip. Eventually, watching the Bud Billikin Parade's live broadcast became a cherished tradition in our home. Actually attending the parade felt like a distant possibility, so to now be named Grand Marshal is both surreal and humbling. What makes this moment even more meaningful is that I get to share it with my son. That alone makes this the most unforgettable moment of the summer. With deep gratitude and pride.' –LaRoyce Hawkins 'LaRoyce Hawkins is an outstanding role model and a powerful example for our city's youth,' says Myiti Sengstacke-Rice, President/CEO of the Chicago Defender Charities and Chair of the Bud Billiken® Parade. 'His passion, commitment to service, and love for Chicago make him the perfect choice to lead this year's parade. For 96 years, the Bud Billiken® Parade has united generations -it's a movement, a cultural touchstone, and a launching pad for the future.' Joining LaRoyce Hawkins will be a dynamic lineup of celebrities, civic leaders, and changemakers. Honorary Grand Marshals include community influencers, educators, business leaders, and youth mentors who embody the values of legacy and leadership. The Parade kicks off at 10:00 a.m. at 41st Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, traveling south through Washington Park and ending at Garfield Boulevard (55th Street) and Ellsworth Drive. Following the parade, attendees will enjoy the 'It Takes A Village' Bud Billiken® Festival, a full-day event featuring entertainment, local vendors, free school supplies, haircuts, health screenings, and family-friendly activities. The Bud Billiken® Festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Washington Park and includes: Live performances and DJ entertainment Food and ice cream trucks Free school supplies and giveaways Health screenings, haircuts, and hair braiding Local vendors and resource booths For more information, visit and follow us on social media: Facebook: @BudBillikenParadeChicagoTwitter/X: @BudParadeInstagram: @budbillikenparade **Media Contact:****Jakari Anderson**Email: jakarianderson125@
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chicago Defender Charities holds grand opening at new Wellness Homes of Chicago facility
CHICAGO — Chicago Defender Charities held a grand opening Saturday for Wellness Homes of Chicago's fourth location, aiming to provide healthcare to another underserved community in the city. A ribbon cutting was done at the new facility, which is a partnership between Chicago Defender Charities and Wellness Homes of Chicago and is located at 1823 West 47th Street, in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the city's Southwest Side. Decades of memories come alive at James Ward Elementary School's 150th anniversary celebration The facility provides primary care, behavioral health and preventative services, and it also includes a pharmacy. Dr. Maurice 'Mo' Brownlee, CEO of Wellness Homes of Chicago, says the new facility is specifically tailored to meet the needs of community members in and around Back of the Yards. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines 'You have a person who's working at McDonald's who cannot get off in time. So we open late. A person who needs weekend hours, we provide those services,' Brownlee said. 'We want people to live longer in this zip code. It is unfair that … your life expectancy is 5% less (in this) zip code. 'That stops today, and it stops today with the Wellness Home at Back of the Yards.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
01-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Chicago Defender Charities, Wellness Homes of Chicago open new health center in Back of the Yards
Grand opening for new Wellness Home of the Back of the Yards Grand opening for new Wellness Home of the Back of the Yards Grand opening for new Wellness Home of the Back of the Yards Chicago Defender Charities hosted a grand opening for a new wellness hub on Saturday in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The new wellness facility is a partnership between Chicago Defender Charities and Wellness Homes of Chicago. The center will offer a wide range of services for the Back of the Yards community; including primary care, behavioral health, and weight loss and wellness programs. Officials said it is "dedicated to advancing holistic health in one of Chicago's most historically resilient communities." "We saw that there was a health desert in Back of the Yards, and my doctor is Dr. Maurice Brownlee, of Wellness Homes on Halsted, and he decided to open up this would be his fourth location, where he will take care of the community," said Chicago Defender Charities CEO Myiti Sengstacke-Rice. Chicago Defender Charities also hosts the annual Bud Billiken Parade, and CBS News Chicago is a proud sponsor of the back-to-school bash.
