For the latest “Black Voices: A WTTW News Community Conversation,” Brandis Friedman spoke with leaders and researchers to discuss their push to memorialize the Illinois Black Panther Party and include its history in the National Register of Historic Places.

The move came with both support and controversy due to differing opinions about how the organization’s legacy should be upheld, and who should tell the story. 

Most recently, a landmarking initiative was passed at the end of December and the group successfully achieved a Thematic Listing for the Illinois Chapter. The People’s Church (Church of the Epiphany) was also amended to include the Black Panther Party’s history.

Friedman was joined by Lonnie Hall, a long standing member of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panthers; Leila Wills, journalist and executive director of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party; and historians Mikey Spehn and Adam Yunis. 

Join “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” host Joanna Hernandez for the next WTTW News Community Conversation on Feb. 26. To RSVP, visit wttw.com/events.