Judge James B. Parsons
James B. Parsons was the first black nominated to the U.S. District Court and in 1975 was named chief judge of the Federal District Court for the Northern District of IL. Parsons Grade School was named in his honor in 1967.
Black History Month 2020
Fred and Harry Long
Fred and Harry Long were well known athletes. Harry played mainly baseball while Fred was known for both football and basketball.
Marie Gray Baker
Marie Gray Baker was a historian and founding member of the Decatur branch of NAACP.
Edwin D. Sheen
Edwin D. Sheen became a journalist, college professor and Chicago editor.
Sheriff Roger Walker
Roger Walker was the first African-American elected to county sheriff in Illinois.
Vinnie's BBQ
Vinnie's BBQ is a family owned business. IL Food Systems best describes Vinnie in a newsletter. "Vinnie has a big heart. His concern for the community brings people in his door and his dedication to serving a quality product keeps them coming back."
Moe Dampeer
Oklahoma Defensive Tackle
Frank S. Lee
Educator, introduced Montessori curriculum to DPS 61
Eddie Redmon
Basketball, football and softball athlete
Other Notable Decatur African-American Leaders
- Colored Voters Club has Brooks-Lyons Rally (Mar 23, 1940)
- Percy Baugh, physician (Jun 11, 1955)
- Dr. Carolyn Long, pediatrician (Apr 8, 1960)
- Colonius Knight, microbiologist (Feb 14, 1997)
- Martin Wheeler, Chicago Bears running back (Oct 29, 1997)
- Wayne Dunning (Apr 4, 1999)
- Terry Robinson (Apr 4, 1999)
- Tracy Stepney and Bobby Jelks, Coaches (May 14, 2000)
- MacArthur's Arius Young (Nov 22, 2001)
- Temethia Joyner, standout teacher (Jan 31, 2006)
- Temethia Joyner, Hope Academy Teacher (Jun 18, 2006)
- Preston Joyner, Marital Arts Instructor (Feb 15, 2017)
- Calvin Carson Sr, Big Kings Basketball Coach (Mar 22, 2017)
- Verna Harper-Stepney (Apr 6, 2017)
- Nathaniel Tallent, Instructor (Sep 23, 2018)