Honoring the Legacy of Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton

It was on August 30, 1948, that Francis and Iberia Hampton welcomed Fredrick Hampton, their third and last child, into the world. This past Sunday marked Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton’s 72nd birthday. 

Weekend events honoring Chairman Fred Hampton were arranged by his son, Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr., and his widow, Akua Njeri, previously known as Deborah Johnson.

Virtual Saturday:

On Saturday at 9:30 a.m., was a panel discussion hosted by the DuSable Museum in Chicago. On the panel is Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr., Mother Comrade Akua Njeri, and attorney James Montgomery. 

Montgomery was the attorney on the landmark civil rights case of Hampton v. Hanrahan after the assassination of 21-year-old Chairman Fred Hampton and 22-year-old Defense Captain Mark Clark.

The panel was moderated by Kim Dulaney, the DuSable Museum’s Director of Education and Programs and Professor of African American Studies at Chicago State University.

The video will be available soon on DusableMuseum.org.

In-Person Sunday: 

At High Noon was a gathering at Ground Zero; 2337 Chairman Fred Hampton Way (West Monroe Street), Chicago, IL 60612, the location of the Chairman’s assassination.

The Caravan then went to The Wall, pictured above. The Wall features a giant mural in honor of Chairman Fred. Next stop was the Hampton House, the childhood home of Chairman Fred Hampton at 804 S. 17th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153.

The last stop was the Chairman Fred Hampton Aquatic Center for the Annual Streetz Party at 300 Oak Street, Maywood, IL 60153.

*Social distancing and masks were required as advised by health experts.

The Save the Hampton House Campaign is seeking landmark status for Chairman Fred’s childhood home. To make a donation to keep this legacy alive, visit GoFundMe.com/f/SaveTheHamptonHouse50.