Villa Park school hosts Jesse White Tumblers for Black History Month

The Jesse White Tumblers somersaulted their way into Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park Tuesday as part of Black History Month festivities.

Every year during February, the private school hosts activities and programs for the community recognizing prominent Black Americans and their contributions to history and society.

"We dedicate quite a bit of time to getting the students to learn about African American history, their struggles, so they can better empathize and relate to what (Blacks) have been through," Principal Farhat Siddiqui said. "We reach out to the community and try and do interfaith type of activities."

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who was set to make an appearance Tuesday but couldn't, was honored with a Leadership and Service Award from the suburban Muslim community that worships at Islamic Foundation of Villa Park.

"Jesse White is a legend, a minority person who came up in the ranks of politics and government by hard work, service and leadership," Siddiqui said. "Those are the qualities that we want our students to be able to emulate."

On Wednesday, students and school community members will get to sample donated bean pies and learn about its significance to Black culture. The sweet, delectable dessert made from navy beans is a creation of the Nation of Islam, a religious Black nationalist and social reform movement formed in the 1930s, led by Elijah Muhammad.

"I think that's a great way to get students to connect to the people's history through their food," Siddiqui said.

Other prominent speakers from the Chicago-area Black community will close out the week, she added.

Islamic Foundation School is the western suburbs' first Islamic high school established more than 30 years ago.