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1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Audrey
4 Barrett, who passed away on March 2, 2025; and
5 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett was born in Chicago on November 6,
6 1952, and from a young age, she was deeply engaged in cultural
7 preservation and the civil rights movement; and
8 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett attended Josephinum High School,
9 and in the early 1960s, she was selected by her father, Andrew
10 Barrett, a successful entrepreneur, to operate the family's
11 grocery store, Little Food Town, located on 16th Street on the
12 West Side of Chicago, which became a gathering place for
13 popular soul musicians, civil rights leaders, and the local
14 community; and
15 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett became an active member of the
16 Najwa Dance Corps, establishing a vital cultural connection to
17 Africa; and
18 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett was a prominent leader in the
19 Black Panther Party in the 1960s, advocating for the
20 liberation and education of Black American children; and
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1 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett was a devoted member of New
2 Beginnings Covenant Church on the West Side of Chicago, under
3 the leadership of Pastor Marshall, since the early 1990s; and
4 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett was affectionately known as "Mama
5 Rhythms"; she was a trailblazer in martial arts, wellness, and
6 yoga, innovating practices that inspired many in her
7 community; and
8 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett served as an arts administrator
9 and leadership developer for over three decades, making a
10 significant impact in stage, television, and film; and
11 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett was celebrated for her global
12 contributions to arts and culture, mentoring and empowering
13 future leaders in the creative fields; and
14 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett served as an advisory ad hoc board
15 member of the Harold Washington Cultural Center, contributing
16 her expertise and passion for the arts; and
17 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett provided invaluable consultation
18 to her son, Bril Barrett, founder and CEO of MADD Rhythms,
19 guiding him toward numerous accolades, including the National
20 Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the
21 Chicagoan of the Year award, the Chicago Dancemaker Forum, and
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1 recognition as a New City Top Performer for three consecutive
2 years; and
3 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett led efforts to implement safety
4 protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic that positively
5 impacted arts institutions nationwide, resulting in minimal
6 reported cases; and
7 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett lived a full life, beloved by
8 many, and leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, creativity,
9 and community service; and
10 WHEREAS, Audrey Barrett was the proud mother of three
11 children, Bril Barrett, Ja'bowen Dixon, and Star Dixon;
12 therefore, be it
13 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
14 HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15 we mourn the passing of Audrey Barrett and extend our sincere
16 condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
17 her; and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to the family of Audrey Barrett as an expression of
20 our deepest sympathy.
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