Timuel Black celebrates 102nd birthday waving at well wishers in car caravan

Historian and civil rights activist Timuel Black celebrates his 102nd birthday with family and dozens of friends and well-wishers cheering from a car caravan traveling past his Bronzeville apartment, Monday afternoon, Dec. 7, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Historian and civil rights activist Timuel Black celebrated his 102nd birthday Monday with family, friends and well-wishers cheering him on from a car caravan traveling past his Bronzeville apartment.

“I am glorified that so many of you younger people came together to help celebrate the 102nd birthday of this old man,” Black said while seated on a lawn chair on a grassy median next to his wife, Zenobia Johnson-Black.

“Thank you so much.”

Black also pointed out that his birthday wish came true this year.

“Part of my birthday has been rewarded with the non-election of Donald Trump,” he said. “That’s a wonderful birthday wish.”

Historian and civil rights activist Timuel Black celebrates his 102nd birthday with family and dozens of friends and well-wishers cheering from a car caravan traveling past his Bronzeville apartment, Monday afternoon, Dec. 7, 2020.

Black waved to dozens of supporters in vehicles decorated with balloons and signs during the drive-by parade organized by The Timuel D. Black Educational Foundation and the University of Chicago’s Civic Knowledge Project and Alumni Association.

Joseph M. Harrington, who helped organize Monday’s event, referred to Black as a “remarkable individual” and touted his accomplishments, including his work with Dr. Martin Luther King and role in the historic presidential election of Barack Obama.

“He has been telling our story, but he’s apart of our story.” said Harrington, the secretary for The Timuel D. Black Educational Foundation.

“He’s actually a part of history. He’s living history.”

Historian and civil rights activist Timuel Black celebrates his 102nd birthday with family and dozens of friends and well-wishers cheering from a car caravan traveling past his Bronzeville apartment, Monday afternoon, Dec. 7, 2020.