Prior to 2022, the Illini District of Scouting America (formerly known as Boy Scouts), hadn’t had any Eagle Scouts for over two decades. At a ceremony last Thursday at a church in Belleville, three young men received the honor, the highest rank in the organization, which is awarded to only 4% to 6% of scouts nationwide. The achievement is especially significant because just 7% of scouts across the country are Black. Sultan Al-Uqdah Jr., along with twins Khalif and Khalil Morehead, earned the Eagle Scout rank, marking a milestone for the district and a moment of representation in the program.

Al-Uqdah Jr., a 15-year-old sophomore at Althoff Catholic High School has been a scout since he was about eight years old. He became interested after meeting his future scout master, Roosevelt Kinkaid

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