Black History is one of the most significant aspects of world history, highlighting the achievements and experiences of African Americans as they overcome significant barriers.

As progress has varied, thousands of organizations, such as the NAACP and Jack and Jill of America, have opened their doors to African Americans to drive systemic change.

Jack and Jill of America is an American leadership organization dedicated to teaching young African American children to participate in active leadership roles. It is the largest African American family organization, comprising mothers who work together to create outstanding opportunities for their children.

Jack and Jill was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1938 by Marion Stubbs Thomas, who organized 21 mothers to create an organization that provides social, cultural, and educational resources for black youth between the ages of 2 and 19.

Jack and Jill ultimately prepare children for life with successful leadership skills to carry on into adulthood.

In the town of Bloomington, IL., there are a variety of members who are committed to being a part of something great, and walking the halls of Normal West are a few students involved in the local Jack and Jill organization.

Jack and Jill of America holds several board members to make its events more stable for other members.

“We have a whole board, and it follows the Roberts rules of order. For social events, we follow those rules to prepare for this thing called Teen conference,” sophomore and member of Jack and Jill, Brooklyn Caffey stated.

Caffey is the parliamentarian for Jack and Jill and ensures that the Roberts Rules of Order are upheld.

“At the meetings, I just make sure nobody is talking out of turn, we’re being respectful, and we’re all staying on task,” Caffey shared.

The Teen conference is an event in which Jack and Jill members from the region gather at a single location for several parties and business meetings.

“[Places] like Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s basically all of us, and we have parties, business meetings, and [we] talk about what we find in our own separate chapters,” Caffey added.

“I look forward to the teen conference because that’s where we have all of the chapters in the region come and collaborate to do the things you’d usually do in Jack and Jill in your own personal chapter, but on a broader scale with other regions, and you get to connect with people you haven’t seen in a while,” Gabby Johnson, a senior at Normal West, stated.

Johnson is the historian of Jack and Jill and is in charge of documenting and gathering pictures. She looks forward to the Teen conference to be able to connect with other chapters.

The president of the Teen chapter Board is Chayil Beasley, a junior at Normal West. She is also looking forward to the Teen Conference.

The teen conference is something many look forward to, as there are many opportunities for members to connect with others throughout their region.

This year’s Teen conference is from June 11 to June 14 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

These girls have been involved in Jack and Jill for as long as they can remember, as it is a lifelong organization that their family and parents have also experienced.

Sophomore Eden Pina, is the recording secretary who attends the monthly meetings to record the information given. Her job is to inform those who couldn’t make it. She greatly enjoys Jack and Jill as she is highly involved in the monthly Teen Chapter meetings, which vary between grades 9-12.

“I’m the recording secretary, so at chapter meetings, which is every month, I [take] notes and attendance and place everything in a separate group me so people that aren’t there can read over the notes,” Pina stated.

Once the teen members turn 18, they participate in an event called the Passage of Rights, which is a graduation from Jack and Jill and a transition into an alumni.

“There will be nothing important for you to do after you turn 18; you have the option to become a mother, but it’s like a break,” Caffey shared.

Jack and Jill will always have a variety of activities to do that keep their members busy. There are competitions, field days, historical activities, parties, HBCU nights, and community service opportunities that help build leadership skills.

Jack and Jill is a recurring organization that opens every year in August and ends in June. There are several open nights available for families to come and learn about Jack and Jill and how it helps children gain the skills they need.

Although Jack and Jill mostly consist of mothers, there is also a father board and a teen board.

“We have this thing called Jackpack, Dad, which is the same as the mothers, except it’s a dad version, and then the kid board,” Caffey stated.

The fathers have a rather small but important role in making sure the kids are in the correct location.

Several mothers watch over the kids during meetings and events, and help lead and organize the Teen Conference. The children believe that the mothers are very helpful and keep everything organized.

“They’re very helpful. If we didn’t have them, I don’t think we’d be able to cooperate. They keep us on task,” Pina expressed.

The mothers have grown close beyond Jack and Jill and have created great connections, which are one of many benefits that Jack and Jill provide.

Jack and Jill have modules of financial help. During each meeting, financial symposiums are presented to the children to teach them how to budget their money. Jack and Jill also have leadership, social, and justice modules to teach them the factors of adulthood.

Jack and Jill help graduating seniors build connections with colleges.

“We have partnerships with different HBCUs like Spelman. It already sets you up to have different connections with people to help with college.

“It’s helped with my financial situation because we don’t really know how to budget,” Caffey stated.

Jack and Jill help children connect socially and emotionally. There are opportunities, such as providing speeches and planning events, that will help prepare kids for leadership.

“You’ll build community. You’ll learn skills that you’ll need for your lifetime, like how to build your budget, learning about the law system and where we fit in as African Americans, and building leadership,” Beasley stated.

The organization also guarantees connectivity between black kids to come together and celebrate African American history.

Overall, Jack and Jill of America aims to prepare its members for a meaningful adulthood through the many opportunities it provides.

Jack and Jill of America is proud to support and sponsor St. Jude Research Hospital to ensure that patients never pay a bill for treatment, housing, and food. It is dedicated to helping children with sickle cell and other diseases.

Their current goal is to raise $25,000 to save the lives of children all over the world.

To learn more about Jack and Jill, visit https://www.jackandjillinc.org/