Civil Rights Heritage Center celebrates Black History Month with documentary

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Civil Rights Heritage Center wrapped up its observance of Black History Month with a documentary screening of The First Rainbow Coalition.

The documentary focuses on the work of Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.

Hampton rallied with other organizations in Chicago to fight racism, bring economic change, and reduce gang violence in 1969.

Officials at the Civil Rights Heritage Center say showing the film was a way to highlight the work that still needs done in South Bend to bring unity.

“I want folks to be able to look at some historical moments. People were trying to come up with creative and new ways of organizing. Think about how the context can fit our context now today. What we can learn from it, how we can take it and build with it in our particular circumstances,” Dr. Darryl Heller said, who is the Director of the Civil Rights Heritage Center.

After the showing there was an open forum discussion not only about the film but also about the future of what needs to be done in South Bend.