Bobby Lee Rush's legacy is a profound testament to his unwavering commitment tojustice, equality, and community empowerment, rooted in the Great Migration that brought his family to Chicago in search of better opportunities.

As the Deputy Minister of Defense for the Illinois Black Panther Party, Rush fought tirelessly for the rights and dignity of African Americans during a pivotal era of civil rights activism, advocating for community control, education, & health care.

His journey from revolutionary leader to elected public servant was marked by a relentless dedication to improving the lives of his constituents. Serving over two decades as a U.S. Congressman, Rush championed policies that addressed the systemic inequities facing marginalized communities, including those in his home district of Chicago's South Side.

Beyond politics, his role as a pastor further solidified his deep connection to the spiritual and social well-being of the people he served. The BLR Center stands as a continuation of Rush’s lifelong mission, embodying the principles of self-determination, community empowerment, and social justice that have defined his life's work, and is dedicated to serving the very community from which his legacy was born.