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In celebration of Black History Month, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Learning Resource Center (LRC) located at East St. Louis Center on the Wyvetter Younge Higher Education Campus, welcomed Lauren Parks of House of Miles East St. Louis for an engaging, hands-on learning experience with Uni-Pres Kindercottage students. The program introduced young learners to the legacy of jazz legend Miles Davis while highlighting the rich cultural history of the East St. Louis community.

Through storytelling and interactive learning, students explored Miles Davis’s childhood in East St. Louis and the ways local history continues to shape the community today. Activities included a read-aloud about Miles Davis’s life, a show-and-tell experience featuring artifacts curated and brought in by Parks, and an arts-based activity connecting jazz, creativity, and self-expression. These hands-on experiences allowed students to engage with history in ways that were both meaningful and developmentally appropriate.

Parks emphasized the importance of early cultural exposure, sharing, “East Saint Louis is known as the City of Champions, and Miles Davis definitely qualifies as an art and cultural champion. Introducing youth to his story reminds them that they too can be innovators. Positive exposure helps children develop a sense of who they are, and it’s our responsibility to pour into them as the community once poured into us.”

The collaboration between House of Miles and the LRC reflects a shared commitment to community-centered learning and cultural preservation. By bringing local history directly to young students, the initiative creates meaningful opportunities for children to connect with their heritage while fostering curiosity and pride in their community.

Amber Davis, LSW coordinator at the Learning Resource Center, reflected on the deeper significance of creating community learning spaces: “When I was a child, libraries were more than buildings—they were gateways, places where my family and I wandered often, discovering the heart of our community. Libraries have always held a sacred space in my heart, introducing me to stories, people, and ideas that shaped who I became. With the closure of the East St. Louis Library, that sense of possibility feels even more urgent here in the community. My hope is that through thoughtful, intentional collaborations, the LRC can serve as a vibrant resource hub, a place where this community’s stories, talents, and futures are nurtured and celebrated.”

House of Miles East St. Louis continues to serve as a vital cultural institution. Parks shared that the organization is proud to have restored and preserved Miles Davis’s childhood home as a historic landmark, offering immersive educational experiences through tours, youth programming, and community events.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary alongside the centennial of Miles Davis’s birth, House of Miles continues to offer its hallmark programs, including a butterfly lab and an official state-registered bee apiary. These projects aim to provide accessible, hands-on learning opportunities that blend history, creativity, and innovation for learners of all ages.

LRC and House of Miles are committed to honoring the stories that shaped East St. Louis while empowering young people to see themselves as part of its continuing legacy. By preserving local Black history and making it accessible to children today, the initiative helps transform history into inspiration and community pride into possibility. Families, educators and community members interested in learning more or scheduling a visit can explore HouseofMilesESTL.com.

PHOTO: Lauren Parks, House of Miles President and Co-Founder