Breedy Wilson

About Breedy’s Life in Education and Recreation

By day, Breedy worked as a para at an Early Childhood Center within the Rockford Public Schools.  At one point in her career, she worked with children from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day, as there were several years she worked the before-school program through the YWCA, all before spending the day in the classroom and her evening in the gym; this was on top of raising two beautiful and smart daughters with her husband. Her daughters are both now teachers themselves.  Breedy started her life with the Rockford Park District in 1985, working as a senior counselor for Camp Sunshine, a camp for youth with a disability.  She sang songs, played games, and exposed campers to various facilities and opportunities throughout the Rockford Park District. She went on to be the Director for Camp Sunshine before becoming an area coordinator for Kid Zones, the Park District’s free summer playground programs. “Breedy was my first boss, and someone who commanded the room. She meant what she said, and never asked her staff to do something that she wouldn’t do herself. What I learned from her at age 16 while working a playground program at Sunset Park, I still utilize today within my role at the Rockford Park District.  She was always advocating for our youth, and made sure we all understood the impact we can have, even if just for a short time, on a youth or teen," said Lamont Jones, Youth Sports Manager.

Breedy remembers that a team member once called her and asked her to come to Andrews Park, as some known gang members were hanging out. Breedy shared that she “ … went up to them and told them that from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the park belongs to the kids, and they needed to leave. The park is for programs.”  In 1993, Lewis Lemon Elementary School opened, and soon after, a cooperative program started between Rockford Public School District and the Rockford Park District. Lewis Lemon Community Center was open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m, and to this day still provides after-school programs, teen programs, summer camps, and a variety of team sports, which is all thanks to Breedy!  As manager of Lewis Lemon Community Center, Breedy made sure kids were fed and clothed, helped them with homework, introduced them to sports, made sure they were safe, and did everything she could to help them have fun.  Her daughter, T'Lisa Muhammad, recalls, “She would say things like, ‘pull your pants up, watch your language, take your hat off, and you need to get your homework done before you can play that game.’ She did not care who you were; if you were going to be around her, you were going to be respectful in your actions, appearance, and speech.  If you did not like it, you had to go.” 

On weekends, she would be busy with flag football games, soccer games, bringing in speakers to the Center, taking kids to community events, or organizing special programs such as the Black History Month event she held every year.  Breedy retired from the Rockford School District and Rockford Park District in 2014.  To this day, she keeps in contact with many youth she mentored. Hundreds if not thousands of youth all have one thing in common - their life was changed thanks to Ms. Breedy; 24/7, 365 days a year, Breedy was there.

Breedy’s Impact on Others

“A few words to describe what you have meant to me are: motherly - you loved on all those around you. Bravery - you didn’t settle for the status quo. Educator - you were a teacher and shared your knowledge; you wanted better for those you served. Engaged and invested - as it was not easy working with youth, and let alone their parents, but you did it. Dedicated youth could always count on you being there. Ruthless - no one could mess with your kids. Safe - you made everyone feel right at home, but most importantly, you were community. You taught all of us upcoming programmers that what we do is more than throwing a ball out to play. Every minute we are with young people is an opportunity to impact them in a positive way. I program in part the way I do now is because of you, and I thank you for it.” Danielle Potter, Operations Director, Rockford Park District

“Ms. Breedy will forever be a positive example of how youth development work should look. She would challenge youth to open their minds and would push them to explore new horizons, all while providing structure, expectations, and guidance that supported their growth. Ms. Breedy stands as a true pioneer not only for the Rockford Park District but also for the Rockford community. Her leadership, unselfish heart, no-nonsense approach, and passion for influencing youth still fuels the work that I do today. Thank you, Ms. Breedy.” Annie Hobson, Former RPD Employee; Youth Services Manager Family Peace Center

“Breedy saved my life. My mom was a single parent and had to work a lot to provide. Ms. Breedy made sure we had a job and that we stayed active. She even took time out of her life to take us to Gus Macker events. She gives true meaning to the quote, “It takes a village to raise a child,” because she did just that in helping to raise me. I will always love her for that!! Without her, I don’t know where Lewis Lemon would be.” Michael Tell, Former RPD Employee; 20+ -year RPS205 employee

“I never really said how much I appreciated you. Your hard work and passion never failed to amaze me. I have had the opportunity to work with many in the recreation field, but have only met ONE Ms. Breedy! As a 16-year-old working at Sunset Park (now Lewis Lemon), I truly appreciate the firm but fair boss that you were. It was not an easy time to be working outside on the west side of Rockford at that time, but you made sure your patrons, your staff, and your park were not only safe, but fun.” Lamont Jones, Manager of Youth Sports and Community Outreach, Rockford Park District

“When considering the strong Black women who have made an impact on our organization, it would be remiss to not mention Mrs. Breedy Wilson. She devoted decades to the lives of hundreds of children and families, not because she had to, but simply because she wanted to. She was tough, yet gentle, firm, and nurturing, and most importantly, she understood the value that having healthy interactions and relationships has on children and families. Breedy set the bar high, and expected greatness from each of her kids. She was respected, not because of the title she had, but by how she interacted with others and made people feel. She took advantage of every moment to instill life lessons and ensure that youth were constantly challenged through various games and activities to be respectful, responsible, honest, and confident. Her legacy and structure were so profound that her impact extended to her colleagues, our community partners, and even non-program youth.” Derricka Davis, Community Recreation and Aquatics Manager, Rockford Park District

“I had the honor of working with Breedy at Lewis Lemon Community Center when it first opened in 1993. The Center reached so many youth, specifically those in need. Breedy gave support and guidance similar to what you would receive from a mother. Not only did she make sure to have fun, but she taught respect, accountability, and confidence. Breedy made our youth proud to be part of Lewis Lemon. It was an honor working alongside her and to become a part of Breedy’s extended family that is Lewis Lemon Community Center. “Remember (sing), everywhere you go, people will know who you are, that you are Lewis Lemon.”  Michelle Brown, RPD and RPS205 Employee

“Breedy Wilson is a true hero of the Rockford Park District! She was a game-changer, served others at an extraordinary level, took risks, sacrificed a lot for others, and was courageous and humble.” Gayle Dixon, Former RPD Employee; Unit Director for Fairgrounds, Boys & Girls Club of Rockford

“I was a young man just moving from Detroit to Rockford, and I was gifted to work with Ms. Breedy at Lewis Lemon. She took me in as if I were her son, and raised me into becoming a well-respected, educated, grown man.  She is the staple and pioneer not just of Lewis Lemon Community Center, but the whole west side of Rockford. She has touched so many lives in the community.  I'm so honored and humbled to be able to say that I was a part of being alongside her for the joyous ride. I will never forget my time working and learning from such a great person. Thank you, and I love you.”  Cedric Wynn; former RPD Employee 

“She has the biggest heart, kindness, love, compassion, and passion for her community along with youth and teens. She showed stern, hardcore, old-fashioned tough love, which is why everyone respected her, trusted her, and loved her. I remember one time, Ms. Breedy asked me to bake her a midnight pie, something I am famous for making. I had nodded off and overcooked the pie a bit. I took Ms. Breedy her pie, but didn't mention the overcooked part.  Ms. Breedy, with her sweet, loving, but direct manner, let me know it was burned. Got to love her!” Julius Rankins, Operations Associate, UW Health Sports Factory

“To know Ms. Breedy is to love Ms. Breedy.  She is a strong, vocal, passionate, and fair person.  Our mother loves working with children of all ages; from the very young to the young at heart, she has worked with them all. She has touched so many people in a positive way, we cannot go anywhere without someone saying, “Hey, Ms. Breedy, remember me from Lewis Lemon?” Mom did not do all of these things alone. She has had wonderful staff around her helping in any way they could.  Everyone that worked with Mom or around her learned so much from her.  She helped so many people get jobs with the Park District.  She would say, “if you need a job, go apply at the Park District; they need good, hard-working people,” and that included both of us.  What started as a part-time job grew into something no one would ever have imagined. The Rockford Park District has been our home away from home, and will continue to hold a very special place in all our hearts.” T'Lisa Muhammad and Elonda Moore, Breedy’s Daughters

Words to Live By