Executive Director: Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development

Anita Peek has served as the Executive Director to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development   since 1996. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to offer five separate programs including the signature youth development history expedition, Pathways to Freedom, and the Rosa L. Parks Learning Center which specializes in intergenerational computer based training.  Ms. Peek has used her background in technology, community development, and labor management relations to stimulate local and national interest in the Institute.  Collaborative community based educational partnerships established during Ms. Peek’s tenure include the University of Southern California’s Los Angles Science Center, the Children’s Defense Fund,  Soka Gakkai International-USA, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Since her appointment to the Institute, Pathways to Freedom  has founded eleven chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Caribbean and has developed a diverse network of some 6,000 youth.

Anita Peek was educated at Michigan State University where she received a BA in Social Science through the university’s unique multi-disciplinary studies program. In addition to her focus in anthropology and political science, she also received a BS in Physical Science.  After graduation she worked in the energy sector of private industry leading to a career in union leadership for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters where she served as vice president and founding board member for the Women’s International Caucus. Ms. Peek is recognized for her many contributions to the education of youth and is an avid community activist in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Anita Peek represented the USA’s State Department and Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development by participating in the State Department’s European Black History Month Lecture Series.  As Executive Director of the Institute Ms. Peek was able to share historical facts and personal knowledge of Mrs. Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement. The exchange of similarities and differences in human rights history and social mores was educational, respectful and energizing.  Youth from Ms. Peek’s first trip to Europe via the State Department have visited the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development in the U.S. and participated in the Pathways to Freedom program.

Anita Peek continues to help expand the legacy of Rosa Parks’ “Quiet Strength” through the worldwide community base organization founded by Dr. Parks and her friend Elaine Eason Steele in 1987. Not only has Ms. Peek appeared at the National Archives’ McGowan Theatre with other panelist from the Institute in “The Road to Freedom,” she was also one of the chief architects in developing “Pathways to Peace”. It is a program of the Institute that encourages dialog between youth around the globe. Youth have conducted simulated general sessions at the United Nations, talking and listening circles at university campuses and religious centers.

Recently, Ms. Peek attended the historical Inaugural Ceremonies of the first African American President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama.  It was exciting and emotional for those who lived through segregation and those we represented who sacrificed their lives for equality.  As an enthusiastic historian and civics promoter, Ms. Peek represents Rosa Parks’ passion for education and stimulates youth to be positive contributing citizens. 

Elaine Steele with Rosa L. Parks

Co-founder: Rosa Parks Institute

Elaine Eason Steele co-founded Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development in 1987.  It was Mrs. Parks’ desire to honor her husband Raymond (1903-1977) and the two women’s dedication to making a difference in the lives of children and America’s struggle for civil rights.  The two shared a vision that every child deserved to live up to their highest potential.  They shared a passion for civil rights and the courage to do something about it.

Born in Tuskegee, Alabama with strong family roots, Elaine Eason as a first grader moved with her family to Detroit, Michigan where she was educated in the Detroit Public Schools.  Her father, Frank C. Eason, a Tuskegee Airman, owned a collision business after having suffered discrimination in the factories and as a bus driver in Detroit in the nineteen fifties.  Her mother, Bertha Wallace Eason, was educated in parochial schools in Augusta, Georgia, graduated from Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia and taught school before relocating to Detroit.

Elaine and her only sibling, Anita, were taught from a young age that education, respect and commitment were next to Godliness.  Being proud of your heritage, making a difference in your community, and standing up for others were the lessons that Bertha Eason laid down as law for her daughters.  They were taught the beauty and the racial strife of the south.  They were also exposed to the segregation and integration of the north as they participated in the social culture of church, education and recreation.

It was at her after school job in a sewing factory, while attending Cass Technical High School in the early sixties that Elaine met and became friends with Mrs. Rosa Parks.  Elaine went to work following graduation and took night courses in college.  She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, while working for the government, being active in church, civic organizations and following her marriage and birth of their daughter.

 For many years as a volunteer Executive Assistant to Mrs. Parks, Elaine Steele traveled and coordinated all appearances for Dr. Parks with leaders, heads of state and organizations throughout the world.  She gained national recognition as the co-founder and developer of the Pathways to Freedom program.  Pathways traces the Underground Railroad through the civil rights movement and beyond; involved young people travel by bus throughout North America and other continents, performing educational and historical research.  Ms. Steele, in partnership with Dr. Parks, often accompanies the students on their journeys and provides many opportunities for youth to discover and implement the theme of the program: “Where Have We Been?  Where Are We Going?”

As an advisor and consultant, Elaine Eason Steele has served on boards and committees for buildings and organizations that honor Dr. Parks by using her name.  Ms. Steele has been requested as a visiting lecturer for organizations and institutions of learning. Elaine has also assisted in producing several films highlighting Rosa Parks.  “The Rosa Parks Story”, a made for television film in 2000 provided a capsule of Mrs. Parks’ life through the eyes of Hollywood.  It was Elaine Steele who advocated on Mrs. Parks’ behalf to feature youth from the Pathways to Freedom program and her family in the movie.  An alumnus of PWF interned for the production. Earlier, Elaine helped coordinate Mrs. Parks’ television appearance in an episode of “Monica, Black Like Me” in the series “Touched By An Angel.”  The young people were participants.  Mrs. Parks received an image Award for her appearance.

Ms. Steele has participated in many interviews and has worked on or appeared in documentaries about Mrs. Rosa Parks and the Institute they co-founded.  She helped edit all books authored by Rosa Parks and one authorized biography on Rosa Parks by historian Dr. Douglas Brinkley.  

Recently, in addition to working with the youth of the Institute and networking with other organizations, Ms. Steele is now assisting student leaders, young professionals and adults in Diplomacy, Protocol and Style, honoring the era of the poise, dignity and charm of Mrs. Parks and Mrs. Eason while incorporating modern techniques of confidence, courage and composure.  Accomplished representatives from various disciplines lecture and appear on field trips. 

Elaine Eason Steele has received several program and citizen awards from churches and organizations in recognition for her work and commitment to Education and Human Rights.  She is honored to have been selected to receive awards from the President of the United States and Honorary Doctorate Degrees on behalf of Dr. Rosa Parks.