DAntonio Hillard is currently enrolled in the high school program and Pharmacy Tech trade at the Joliet Job Corps Center. When he finishes his studies here, he wants to work in a pharmacy and enroll in Malcom X Community College, Chicago. His dream is to pursue a career in the medical field.

His passion for education and life stems from his interest and knowledge of two influential African-American activists: Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. He believes that recognizing the importance of black history should not be limited to a month, but instead should be an ongoing celebration.

DAntonio recently wrote a poem that is a reflection of the events and messages both activists conveyed in some of their most famous speeches. He hopes that his generation will begin to acknowledge and learn from history to make their lives more positive.

By any means

I have a dream

Words spoken by African kings

Four little girls that died

Millions that cried

RIP as their bodies lie

Lil Rock Nine

Faced humanity crimes

But they remembered warriors don’t cry

I love black history

Ask me why

It’s filled with oppression, hate, and rape

But through all that pain we kept our faith

Black is beautiful black is strength

Tell me I’m not the only one to realize we are all great

DAntonio Hillard