Saturday Forum - August 8

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"Bud Billiken Day Parade Edition of the Saturday Morning Forum"

Join us tomorrow for a special Bud Billiken Day Parade Edition of the Saturday Morning Forum at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters as we celebrate one of Chicago’s most beloved traditions while engaging in an important conversation about education, our young people, civil rights and the future of our communities.

This week’s forum will feature an all-encompassing conversation with Yusef D. Jackson, President, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and Rev. Stephen J. Thurston on the importance of education and the current state of our country.

At a time when civil rights and civil liberties face critical challenges across the nation, this conversation will examine why remaining engaged, informed and committed to the fight for justice is more important than ever. The discussion will also explore the responsibility we share to continue building strong communities, protecting hard-fought freedoms and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Rev. Stephen J. Thurston will then pivot the conversation to Nakisha Hobbs, CEO of It Takes a Village for an important discussion on education, the current state of our educational system and the critical responsibility of pouring into our youth. Together, they will discuss what today’s generation needs to thrive, the importance of creating pathways to opportunity and why investing in young people remains essential to the future of our communities.

The conversation takes on special meaning as Chicago prepares to celebrate the Bud Billiken Day Parade, a tradition centered around family, community, culture and the beginning of a new school year. For generations, the parade has brought Chicagoans together while celebrating young people and encouraging them to begin the school year with excitement, purpose and possibility.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

8:30 a.m. – Doors Open & Continental Breakfast
10:00 a.m. – Saturday Morning Forum

Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters
930 E. 50th Street
Chicago, IL 60615

Whether you are a parent, educator, student, community leader, faith leader, activist or concerned citizen, we invite you to join us for this timely and important conversation.

As we celebrate the legacy and spirit of the Bud Billiken Day Parade, this year’s celebration is especially meaningful for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition as Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is being honored in the parade by the Chicago Defender in recognition of his historic legacy and decades of work advancing civil rights, economic justice and human dignity across the country and around the world. As we celebrate this well-deserved recognition, we also recommit ourselves to the work ahead — protecting civil rights, defending civil liberties, strengthening education and investing in the young people who will lead our communities into the future.

We look forward to welcoming you tomorrow morning for this special edition of the Saturday Morning Forum.

Seats are limited, so we encourage you to secure your spot and Register Today!

Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Affiliates reserve the right to deny entry or participation for any reason.