Congressman Danny K. Davis in collaboration with Sankofa Safe Child Initiative and Austin People’s Action Center kicks-off the 40th Annual Back to School Picnic and Parade on August 17, 2019, with the announcement of Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. as the Grand Marshal. Each year, over 5000 people attend the parade, lining the parade route along Central Avenue, signing up for school supplies, refreshments and food, and entertainment at the Taste of Austin.
This year’s event culminates four decades of Congressman Danny K. Davis’ positive involvement on the Westside of Chicago. Similarly, Neville has an expansive legal career, spanning over four decades, from the nineties to the present. Justice Neville is known for saying, “My career has taken me from 43rd Street to LaSalle Street.”
Davis noted that is important for young African-American children on the Westside to see in many cases their first Supreme Court Justice. He said, “Justice Neville’s participation as the Grand Marshal will emphasize to young people that they can be whatever they want to be.”
Davis emphasizes that “Education is the Key,” which is his signature saying which is printed on bookmarks and emphasized throughout the parade route.
The Back to School Picnic and Parade provides free school supplies to thousands of young people every year. Also, the Austin People’s Action Center will host the “Taste of Austin.”
A host of community groups, organizations, corporations, and social service agencies participate in the parade with marching bands, floats, and entertainment. To the delight of the young and elderly, a Trolley will transport residents all day long from the kick-off site of the parade returning to Jackson Park.
Last year, Technology in the Park was inaugurated as an activity to encourage young people to learn coding, robotics, and other technology-related occupations. Community resident and former Marine Marvin Jackson will display provide instruction on artificial intelligence for the youth, and demonstrate how drones work by providing aerial coverage of the parade.
SCHEDULE:
8-9:30 a.m. Parade Convenes at Bloomingdale and Central
10 a.m. Parade Kicks Off
noon Parade Review, Jackson Park, Jackson and Central
Distribution of School Supplies, Hotdogs, and beverages
1 p.m. Technology in the Park Starts: Coding; Drone Demonstration
4 p.m. Event ends
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