Sidella Hughes
Sidella Hughes is a longtime advocate for youth and families in the Rockford area. Through her work with youth in the community and at Camaraderie Arts, she was the inspiration to the Park District expanding its summertime reach to all organizations who serve youth.
She understood the importance for youth needing to be exposed and introduced to all kinds of recreational skill building activities. Through her idea and request, the Park District began providing grant vouchers to organizations offering a summer recreation program which allowed participants to take field trips to various Park District facilities. This program continues today and typically serves hundreds of youth each summer. Thousands and thousands of youth have been introduced to the fun options at their Park District thanks to her advocacy.
Sidella helped youth find their voice and would also often provide a safe place for them within her home. This was in addition to being a mother of four, member of the Black Panthers, a plaintiff in the People Who Care v. Board of Education lawsuit and someone who led the charge in getting her Junior College to be renamed to Malcolm X College.
Additional accomplishments and community involvement:
Director of the first women’s crisis shelter in Rockford
Worked at DCFS for 15 years and covered over eight counties
Booker Washington Center - Served on board and took on many roles within the organization. Spent many years planning and organizing Bookerfest.
Camaraderie Arts - Served on the committee and was president at one time. Camaraderie Arts offered a creative outlet for 5 to 18-year-olds that lived in and near Fairgrounds Valley Housing Development. They had weekly cooking classes, dance, a garden, choir, arts and crafts, nonviolent gang prevention programs, field trips, and teen employment programs.
National Council of Negro Women – Took on many different roles through the Rockford chapter of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) who organized the Black Family Reunion, a weekend long event at Levings Lake Park. She also helped organize generational fashion shows and women’s history events.
Very involved with her church, Christian Union Church and also served on other organizations committees that were focused on serving youth:
a. She was on the committee to establish the first All-Black elementary school (K-5.)
b. She was on the Board of Orton Keyes and helped to start a day care.
c. Secured a large grant to get new equipment for New Zion Church’s daycare center.
In Her Words - Advice from Sidella:
“Listen to the kids, let them express themselves.” – Sidella Hughes