Category Archives: Ethnic groups

Comedian Richard Pryor (1940-2005) famously grew up in a house of prostitution operated by his father’s mother in Peoria, but he briefly lived in Springfield with his mother and maternal grandparents. Pryor’s mother, Gertrude Thomas Pryor (later Emanuel), also was … Continue reading →

Jenrose Wilson was born in Alton and moved to Springfield when she was 12. By age 16, she was married and had had her first child. She lived in St. Louis, Alton and Chicago before returning to Springfield, where she … Continue reading →

Charles Wilson was born and raised in Springfield. His grandparents raised him after his mother was killed in a car accident. While living with his grandparents, Charles discovered that his great-grandfather , William Donnegan, was a lynching victim in the … Continue reading →

Born in Springfield, William Washington graduated from Lanphier High School and Springfield Junior College.  He started the Springfield’s Voice newspaper in 1972. In an interview for the Springfield African-American History Foundation series, Washington discussed the old black-owned business neighborhoods that were … Continue reading →

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 →