Benjamin Washington

Benjamin Washington—our brilliant, passionate, fun, kind, and inspiring role model, as well as beloved music teacher at King College Prep High School.

Some of my fondest memories with Mr. Washington are tied to the King marching band’s performances at the Bud Billiken parade every summer. I was a KCP Jaguar in the early 2000s, and joined the marching band the summer before my junior year. At the time, I had no idea that joining the band would transform and enrich my high school experience. Each summer leading up to the parade, we practiced outdoors, building stamina to march through the relentless Chicago heat. We captivated crowds with early 2000s hits like “Rep Yo City” by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, and moved them with soulful classics like “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker.

Mr. Washington had an incredible ability to bridge the gap between old school and new when it came to music. His steadfast leadership inspired us to take performing and playing our instruments seriously, even as teenagers. He made us feel like everything we did truly mattered. Looking back, I realize Mr. Washington modeled lessons of leadership, humility, and resilience that I will always cherish.

Thank you, Mr. Washington, for your unwavering commitment to the arts, to King College Prep, and to the South Side. I am forever grateful for your impact!