Bud Billiken Parade

04/28/2026

04/02/2026

🎬✨ WELCOME TO BOLLYWOOD! ✨🎬

One of our very own Bud Billiken® Performing Arts League (PAL) teams, Empiire Dance Institute , is bringing the energy ALL the way up with MAYHEM Dance Nationals – Majorette Edition 🔥🔥

Plus, don’t miss the special Bollywood dedication performance featuring Empire, alumni, and sister/brother teams coming together as ONE 👀🔥

📅 Saturday, April 25th
📍 ITAV
🕔 Doors Open at 5PM

Let’s show love and support to one of our PAL teams and 8x Bud Billiken champions 💙

Pull up and experience the culture, talent, and excellence firsthand ✨

SupportTheYouth RoadTo100 DanceCompetition

02/26/2026

While waiting in line to pay her respects to Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, senior R.F. Wade didn’t hesitate when we asked what he meant to her. Three simple words: “Hope is alive!”.

📽️:

02/26/2026

🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏽‍♂️ We’re looking for a few more runners to join Team Bud Billiken® for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

This is your chance to secure a guaranteed marathon entry while running with purpose supporting scholarships, youth leadership programs, performing arts, and the Road to 100 legacy of the Bud Billiken® Parade.

Only a few spots remain.

🗓 Deadline to apply: February 28th

Run for something bigger than 26.2 miles.
Run for Chicago’s youth.
Run for legacy.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to apply.

MarathonRunner RunChicago

02/24/2026

FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

The MBM DANCE COMPANY takes great pleasure in presenting its first Black History Program and Soul Food Dinner Show, scheduled to take place on February 27th at 7:00 pm at 8248 S Cottage Grove. Attendees will be treated to an evening of Black history, dance, and speeches. This event serves as a fundraiser for the company and promises to be a memorable experience. We are eager to share this special night with our supporters and loved ones. Tickets, priced at $20 per person, include entry and a sumptuous dinner featuring an array of dishes, including Baked chicken (Rosa Parks), Fried chicken (Martin Luther King), Pot roast (Malcom X), Corn bread (Harriet Tubman), Sweet potatoes (Ida B well), Collard greens with smoke turkey (Daisy Bates), Spaghetti’s (Dorothy Height), Apple sauce (Sojourner Truth), Apple pies  (Frederick Douglass), and more. This event is an opportunity not to be missed. For ticket purchases or inquiries, please contact Barbie at 872-731-9537 or any MBM dancer.

02/23/2026

Chicago, get ready.

Legacy Awards Weekend is BACK — and this marks 10 Years!

Join us March 13–15, 2026, for the 10th Annual L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards Weekend — where business, culture, and community collide.
With over 1,000 entrepreneurs, creatives, executives, and leaders in attendance throughout the weekend, this is THE place to connect, celebrate, and elevate.
This can’t-miss experience includes:

Friday Night Legacy Talks Business Mixer — powerful conversations + networking
The Legacy Awards Gala — honoring Black excellence
Official Gala Afterparty — celebrate with the culture
Sunday Brunch Party — DJ + All-You-Can-Eat + vibes

Plus, influential panels, curated activations, and surprise moments all weekend long.

And it’s all for a purpose.

Legacy Awards Weekend is a fundraiser benefiting WDB Cares, supporting programs that fund, train, and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Whether you’re building, scaling, creating, or investing — this is where you need to be.

Tickets are on sale now at https://events.eventnoire.com/e/legacyweekend26-2/tickets
Sponsorship opportunities available, email [email protected]
Learn more about the Legacy Awards Weekend at: www.legacyawardsweekend.com

02/23/2026

On behalf of Chicago Defender Charities, we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Boaz “Bo” Flemister and Lazarus “Hollywood” Gonzales of the Empiire Dance Team .

These young men were talented leaders and proud representatives of Chicago’s dance community and the Bud Billiken® Parade. Their passion, discipline, and spirit left a lasting impact on everyone who knew them.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, teammates, and loved ones, and we are praying for the recovery of those injured.

We stand with the Empiire Dance Team during this incredibly difficult time. 🕊️💔

02/11/2026

Shouting out the legendary Jesse White Tumbling Team as they host their Winter/Spring Tryouts this Saturday, February 14th!

If your child is ready to flip, fly, and represent excellence, this is the moment! 💪🏾🔥
Pre-register now at www.jessewhitetumblingteam.com and check out the demo video so you know exactly what to expect at tryouts.

📍 Tuley Park
🕙 Tryouts + FREE Coats Giveaway
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
(Adult coats available while supplies last — first come, first served!)

Let’s continue building strong youth, strong discipline, and strong futures. We love seeing our PAL teams thrive and can’t wait to see the next generation take the floor.

ItTakesAVillage

02/10/2026

Celebrating excellence on and off the parade route 👑💃🏾

Our 2025 Bud Billiken® Parade 2nd Place Dance Team winners, Dance Force Elite, are back with an incredible Black History Month fundraiser you don’t want to miss!

✨ Roots & Royalty: Black History Dance Concert ✨
📅 Sunday, February 22
📍 Thornridge High School | Dolton, IL
⏰ Doors open at 4PM | Show starts at 5PM

This powerful night of culture, rhythm, and storytelling highlights the talent, discipline, and pride that earned Dance Force Elite a top spot at the Bud Billiken® Parade. Come support our PAL family as they continue to shine and raise funds for their season.

Let’s show up for our youth, our culture, and our champions 🖤💛
YouthExcellence ChicagoDance ParadeWinners