Category Archives: African Americans

J.D. Washington, a native of  Little Rock, Ark., held various teaching jobs throughout Arkansas before moving to Springfield in 1970. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, he discusses  racism he saw while working in the Springfield public schools for … Continue reading →

Laura Van Buren, born and raised in Springfield, attended Feitshans High School and Brown Business School before going to work for the Illinois Department of Transportation. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Van Buren talks about  discrimination she … Continue reading →

In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Elijah Singley, born in Bessemer, Ala., discusses his involvement in the civil rights movement in Virginia and Alabama. Included is his participation in the third Selma to Montgomery March, organized … Continue reading →

Georgia Rountree joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter at Tennessee State University in 1940.  She moved to Springfield, Illinois with her husband in 1946 and was a founding member of the graduate chapter in Springfield.  She remains an active member … Continue reading →

Veronica Robison, a Springfield native, has worked for the FBI in Springfield for all of her adult life. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Robison discusses the small businesses she has developed, including “Springfield’s Black Pages,” which … Continue reading →

Jerome Reynolds, born in Moberly, Missouri, grew up in Springfield.  Reynolds has worked in real estate for most of his professional life. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Reynolds talks extensively about his mother, who was … Continue reading →

Born in Jamaica, Faith Logan moved to Springfield in 1980. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, she discussed her family, racism in Springfield, her activities as a community activist, and the Harriet Tubman-Susan B. Anthony Women’s … Continue reading →

Springfield native Charles Lockhart, Jr. played in the Feitshans High School band and in the Colored Municipal Band. He was a member of the Navy Band while in the service.  In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, … Continue reading →

Ruth Jackson moved to Springfield in 1954. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, she discusses her marriage to George Sidney “Sid” Jackson; their children; Springfield schools; her husband’s work in the hotel business; her own work … Continue reading →

Ida Jackson, born in Springfield in 1938, grew up in the John Hay Homes, attending Palmer Grade School and Lanphier High School. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series,  Jackson discusses  various jobs she has held, both … Continue reading →