Published on Feb. 23, 2022

To celebrate Black History Month our CASE Marketing interns are highlighting their most influential figures. In this video, intern Christian McDonald honors activist Fred Hampton who was known for being the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.

What’s good everyone, I’m Christian McDonald. I’m a junior here on the CASE Marketing team majoring in broadcast journalism with minors in English and Black studies. 

The person who embodies Black History Month to me is former Black Panther Party leader, Fred Hampton. 

Hampton came to prominence in Chicago as deputy chairman of the national Black Panther Party and chair of the Illinois chapter. He led the party’s influence to new heights by forcing the local government to improve the inner city’s infrastructure and programs. Hampton was also able to get Chicago’s most powerful street gangs to form the nonaggression pact.

I have always looked up to Hampton’s leadership and I strive in my own life to constantly work to build up others and the community that I am in.