Road to 100: Exhibit Launch at the DuSable Museum
Presented by Chicago Defender Charities

Chicago Defender Charities invites you to the official launch of “Road to 100,” a landmark cultural exhibit celebrating the enduring legacy of the Bud Billiken Parade as it approaches its historic 100th anniversary.

This special opening event marks the debut of an immersive, multi-month exhibition that honors nearly a century of Black culture, youth achievement, community pride, and civic leadership on Chicago’s South Side.

Guests will be among the first to experience never-before-seen archival photography, rare historical materials, and powerful visual storytelling documenting the evolution of the Bud Billiken Parade from its early beginnings to its role today as one of the nation’s most iconic African American traditions. The exhibit prominently features the legendary work of Bobby Sengstacke, whose photography captures generations of families, performers, leaders, and everyday Chicagoans who shaped the parade’s legacy.

The launch event will offer attendees:

• A first look at the full “Road to 100” exhibit
• Curated historical storytelling and cultural context
• Opportunities to connect with community leaders, cultural stewards, and supporters of Black history

A moment to reflect on the past while celebrating the future of one of Chicago’s most treasured traditions

Set within one of the country’s premier institutions dedicated to preserving and elevating African American history, this launch is both a tribute and a call forward honoring the people, stories, and impact that have carried the Bud Billiken Parade toward its centennial milestone.

Whether you are a historian, educator, arts supporter, alumni, sponsor, or lifelong member of the Bud Billiken community, this evening is an invitation to witness history, celebrate legacy, and be part of the Road to 100.