This Is Us
Black Lives Matter: A Child’s Vision is an exhibition featuring portraits, street photography and narratives from the Orland Park Black Lives Matter and 8 Can’t Wait protest which occurred on June 12, 2020. Read our biography’s below and click on Learn More to discover our reasons for RISING UP. These portraits were kindly taken and donated by Peter Bosy.
Aisha Huisar
Aisha is an educational consultant, early-career researcher and 2023 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow. She is the visionary and curator of Black Lives Matter: A Child’s Vision exhibition. Aisha co-organized the Black Lives Matter and 8 Can’t Wait protest with Geoff. She’s passionate about racial and social justice, creating safe spaces and uplifting children. Aisha was a resident of Orland Park during the time of the protest.
Geoff Epperson
Geoff has lived in Orland Park for 15 years. He's a High School Theatre Director at Sandburg where he's worked since 2002. He helped organize the protest after being spurred into action by his then, 9-year old son Nathan. He's loved partnering with Aisha and learning how to be a better ally and activist.
Antonio Scott
Antonio is a Peace Officer with the sheriff’s department. He ensured the health and safety of the protesters by serving as a demonstration marshal. Antonio is passionate about social justice and physical fitness. He was a resident of Orland Park during the time of the protest.
Jill Epperson
Jill is a longtime resident of Orland Park. She's worked in the Tradeshow industry all around Chicagoland for 15 years. She is mother to Nathan (who planted the seed for the idea of the protest) and married to Geoff, a bird watching/feeding hobbyist and an ally to the BLM movement.
Tresha Miller
Resident of Orland Park, originally from the island of Jamaica. I am mother to Mia and have a full time career in sales. I learned about the protest from a post on the Nextdoor social app and decided to attend. I attended the protest without even a second thought because my why is wanting a better future for my daughter and all other Black children of her generation. From one acorn a whole forest can arise...if I, along with everyone else who participated, plant our own small acorn then a forest of change will arise.
Nathan Epperson
Nathan, 10 years old at the time of the photo, is the son of Geoff and Jill. He was inspired in 2020 by the images of Black Lives Matter activism on TV and asked his dad if they could do a peaceful protest...and that led to Aisha and Geoff organizing the first successful protest in Orland Park. Nathan is passionate about video games, Pokémon, pizza and being kind.
Naima Scott
Naima, 6 years old at the time of the photo, is the daughter of Aisha and Antonio. The Orland Park demonstration was her first protest. Naima is passionate about space, preserving the Earth and unicorns.
Ja’Liyah Huisar
Ja’Liyah, 9 years old at the time of this photo, is the niece of Aisha and Antonio. The Orland Park demonstration was her first protest. Ja’Liyah loves arts and crafts and is active with her local swim team. She aspires to become a world-renowned designer and envisions people from all walks of life proudly wearing her designs.
Ayana Williams
Ayana, 14 years old at the time, is a high school student. She is passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement.