SAD NEWS! We have lost one of the most outstanding activists and freedom fighters in America in the person of Dr. Conrad Worrill!
On behalf of my wife Justice Shelvin Hall, Martin's International and our cultural community our
deepest condolences to the family and friends of this outstanding educator for the Black community, Dr. Conrad Worrill.
Conrad Worrill, one of Chicago’s best-known political activists and a champion of the black struggle, died Wednesday at 78. He had been diagnosed with cancer.
In my last meeting with him at the Black United Fund of Illinois office, on 71st Street, last October, he expressed his deep concerns for the African American community and the importance of getting the current President (#45) out of office. Before making his transition, he called on friends to encourage the nation to vote and get Trump out of office. See the poster attached.
After the March, 2020 primary, Conrad Worrill called my wife, Justice Shelvin Hall, and she was delighted to express her sincerest thanks and admiration for his statesman - like writings expressing his deep concern for a divided Black judiciary's impact on the state-wide community. Dr. Worrill was unafraid to express his love for the greater Black community, whatever the forum, whatever the personal cost.
In the 1980s, when Martin's International started its Reggae and World Music Awards with part of its objectives to " End Apartheid, the Freedom of Nelson Mandela and Freedom and Democracy in the world". It was the encouragement of Dr. Worrill and the late Dr. Bernard Headley, among others that helped to empower us in our movement, which is now highly dedicated to "Bringing Nations Together Through Music and Culture."
The warrior, Dr. Worrill will surely be missed by the cultural community and others. RIP
Conrad Worrill was an African American writer, educator, activist, and former talk show host for the WVON call-in program On Target. Organizations he has been involved with include the Million Man March, and the National Black United Front.
Born: August 15, 1941 (age 78 years), United States
Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison, George Williams College of Aurora University
Conrad Worrill, one of Chicago’s best-known political activists and a champion of the black struggle.
Mr. Worrill was a key figure in the election of Mayor Harold Washington and backed economic empowerment, the dismantling of educational inequities and reparations for slavery.
During his 40-year career at Northeastern Illinois University, where he was a professor, he educated people on black history and helped build the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, where he taught students and served as director.
He saw the people of the African diaspora as a pan-African source of power and pride.
“The goal of the center was to preserve the rich history of African people and to teach it from our own perspective and not the perspective of others,” he told Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell when he retired in 2016.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson paid tribute to him on Twitter, writing: “#DrConradWorrill, my brother beloved; a civil rights leader, track star, a moving force in Mayor Harold Washington’s campaign and who led the drive for a track and field stadium on the South Side. He meant so much to so many.”
Chance the Rapper called him a “great Chicago legend” and tweeted: “Your activism and organizing efforts will not [be] forgotten.”
“He was a dad to so many in the community,” said Ken Bennett, the rapper’s father, who was
an aide to former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Parts of the above info, quote/bio can be attributed to By Maureen O'Donnell and others.
Three community fighters: Dr. Conrad Worrill, Mayor Harold Washington and Lu Palmer resting in peace (RIP) (Photo contributed via Rolling Out).