As stated in the Board's Priorities, the Rockford Park District believes it exists to help citizens enjoy life and improve their quality of life. The Rockford Park District provides programs and services that meet the recreational needs of the diverse community we represent. The Rockford Park District also encourages people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to come together to utilize places and spaces. Play builds unity.
Our DEIB mission at the Rockford Park District is to ensure a welcoming culture that cultivates inclusivity, equity, diversity, and belonging for all people and all aspects of our organization. We are aware, that Black History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans including resilience, cultural richness, and their central role in U.S. History. Black History month, also known as African American History Month, was established in the United States in 1976 and was derived from what was once known as Negro History Week in 1926.
As we celebrate this month, we acknowledge the four colors used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow, and green. These colors are seen reflecting a symbol of resilience and heritage. Black represents the resilience, strength, and shared identity whose existence of people as a nation that is honored and affirmed by the existence of a flag. Red symbolizes the blood uniting all black people that have been lost due to enslavement, colonization, and systematic violence. Yellow symbolizes optimism, justice, prosperity, and equality for everyone, and green symbolizes Africa’s rich greenery and other natural resources and the connection to mother nature.
During this month, we recognize and celebrate the countless contributions that Black individuals have made throughout history, shaping our nation’s culture, social, economic, and political landscape. Additionally, we appreciate our African American team members and the Black community who support our organization and community, and who has contributed so many of their talents and skills to our community for the love of play.
Throughout the history of our organization, we know that a variety of local African American park and recreation professionals were trailblazers in this industry and thanks to their accomplishments, the Rockford Park District is what it is today. In the Rockford Park District, diversity is our strength. During Black History Month, let’s try to take a minute to recognize the unique perspectives and talents that this culture brings to this organization.
Honorees
The Rockford Park District celebrates the lives and legacy of local African American pioneers of parks and recreation. These community members are a part of our family, and thanks to their accomplishments, the Rockford Park District is what it is today. Each have had an enormous impact on youth, teens, and families in our community, and utilized the power of play to inspire generation after generation to live, laugh, and love.
2023 Honorees
Tommy Meeks
In addition to organizing Juneteenth, Tommy is a community leader, mentor, and award-winning activist.
Gerald Bell
Gerald Bell, retired Maintenance Supervisor at Riverview Ice House had a tremendous impact on generations of ice house guests, staff, and community members.
2022 Honorees
Booker Washington Community Center
Established in 1916, the Booker Washington Community Center in Rockford is Illinois’ oldest African American community center. Its mission is to provide an environment that promotes the quality of life, values, and the welfare of the people of our community through education, art, recreational and cultural programs, and to promote learning and sharing within the greater multi-cultural community.
McKinley “Deacon” Davis
Determined to join the battle against the social and economic inequities plaguing black communities, Davis began work in 1958 as director of Washington Park Community Center in Rockford. He spent roughly 8 years at the park district in a number of roles.
2021 Honorees
Clarence Hicks
Clarence Hicks, or “C” to many of his friends and colleagues, was a community servant, and impacted nearly every recreational program and activity provided by the Rockford Park District over his 42-year career. He made a difference, and touched the hearts and lives of hundreds of teens and adults in the Rockford community.
Nate Martin
Nate played a significant role in coordinating recreational and educational opportunities for youth. His life, his work, and his beliefs had a tremendous impact on area youth, and advanced racial unity in Rockford.
Breedy Wilson
From sunup to sundown, Breedy Wilson (aka Ms. Breedy) impacted the lives of youth, teens, and adults throughout the community. As a Rockford Park District employee for 29 years, she provided safe and fun recreational experiences.
Marva Brown
Marva Brown is an ‘angel among us’ and someone who showed the community how to take a terrible tragedy and turn it into triumph. Marva’s been associated with the Rockford Park District since 1996, when her seven-year-old grandson, James Lesley Harkins III, tragically lost his life in a drowning at the District’s Fairgrounds Pool. No family ever wants to go through what Marva and her family endured. In time, she found the strength to not only move forward but to help others in the community faced with the devastating loss of a child.