The Bud Billiken Club was formed as part of the Defender Junior, the children's page in the newspaper, to encourage reading, appropriate social conduct, and involvement in the community, among the young people of Chicago.
[citation needed] Initially, Abbott had created a day for the members of the Bud Billiken Club and the youth who sold his newspapers to be an annual November event.
[2] The Bud Billiken Club sponsors scholarships, and assists young people with job training, internships, and college recruitment.
The Club also organizes, in conjunction with Chicago Defender Charities, school supply giveaways, reduced rates on computers and Internet service, and even things such as prom dress donations.
The contest is open to children ages eight to eleven and titles include King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Lord, and Lady.