Honoring Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. — Witness, Advocate, Survivor

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At the heart of our collective memory lies a story of courage and perseverance. Chicago’s Black Business Radio Network (CBBRN) proudly reflects on our interview with Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. in 2011, and how his testimony continues to shape our understanding of history and justice.

A Personal Connection to Tragedy

Reverend Parker Jr. is a man whose life intersects with one of America’s most harrowing histories. He was with his cousin, Emmett Till. In the summer of 1955 in Mississippi, Emmett’s life was taken. That moment shook the nation and galvanized the Civil Rights Movement.

Reverend Parker Jr. stands today as the last living witness to that night—an unimaginable burden and honor. His story isn’t just historical—it’s living, breathing testimony of what happens when justice fails and when courage prevails.

Reflecting on Our 2011 Interview

Back in 2011, Sonja Cassandra Perdue and Ron Carter, the hosts of Black Wall Street USA sat down with Reverend Parker Jr. to hear his story in his own words. He shared vivid memories of family, of Mississippi, of the fear and the resilience that followed those long days of uncertainty. We were struck by his humility, his faith, and his commitment to telling the truth.

Even then, more than a decade ago, Reverend Parker Jr.’s message was clear: history is not just something that happened—it is still happening. The roots of racial terror, injustice, and memory reach into our present.


His Book: A Few Days Full of Trouble: Revelations on the Journey to Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till.

In his book, A Few Days Full of Trouble, Reverend Parker Jr. offers an unparalleled account of the murder of Emmett Till, told from the vantage of a cousin, friend, and survivor. PenguinRandomhouse.com+1

  • The book reveals never-before-seen insights and fresh evidence in the decades-long quest for justice. PenguinRandomhouse.com+1

  • It is not only a historical memoir—it is an act of reckoning.

  • It invites us to understand not only the tragedy but the enduring consequences of racial violence, memory, and healing.

Why This Matters to Chicago and Beyond

For CBBRN and our community in Chicago, Reverend Parker Jr.’s story matters on many levels:

  • Legacy & Truth: Preserving stories like his ensures that history remembers correctly—and deeply.

  • Justice & Economy: When we talk about equity, business, and community power, we also address the legacies that have shaped structural barriers.

  • Inspiration & Action: His life encourages Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders to carry forward truth, resilience, and integrity.

  • Connection: His story echoes through our city—through Chicago’s Black institutions, through education, and through generations of Black leadership.

A Call to Read, Reflect, Respond

We invite you to read A Few Days Full of Trouble, to listen to Reverend Parker Jr.’s testimony, and to bring his story into your work, your life, and your community. History doesn’t lie dormant—it calls us to engage.

Let us honor him by remembering, by investing in justice, and by supporting Black business, Black history, and Black futures right here in Chicago.

About CBBN

At Chicago’s Black Business Network, our mission is to connect, inform, and empower. We believe in the power of story, the strength of community, and the promise of equity. Our 2011 interview with Reverend Parker Jr. remains a cornerstone of our archival commitment—and his continuing voice guides our path forward.

Click here to listen to the interview: Chicago’s Black Business Radio Network

✅ Read the Book: A Few Days Full of Trouble by Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. and Christopher Benson.
 📖 Join the Conversation: Share this article and reflect with hashtag #BlackHistoryDaily.

Also, don’t miss, Death of Innocence - The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America. By Mamie Till-Mobley and Christopher Benson.

What did MLK say about Emmett Till?

The 1955 abduction and murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till helped ignite the civil rights movement. A month after the Till’s murder, Martin Luther King stated that it “might be considered one of the most brutal and inhuman crimes of the twentieth century”








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