Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month, “believed that history was made by the people, not simply or primarily by great men.” Historically, Champaign County has always had a vibrant Black community of people who lived lives of dignity and grace despite the barriers of segregation and racial prejudice that they encountered on a daily basis. The course will cover over 170 years of this community’s history. These men and women were self-reliant and self-made, determined to improve their lives and contribute to the betterment of the greater community. This is the story we will tell.
Instructors: Angela M. Rivers: An artist, educator, historian and museum professional, Angela Rivers spent over thirty-five years in teaching, supervisory, managerial, and consulting positions in museums and in the cultural arts arena in Texas, Central Illinois, and the Chicago area. Her experiences include, DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago, IL; Chicago History Museum; The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL; Art Institute of Chicago, Dallas Museum of Fine Art, Dallas, TX; and teaching African and African American Art at Eastern Illinois University.
Barbara Suggs-Mason, Ed.D. worked in public education in Illinois for over 37 years at every level as a teacher and administrator, and as an adjunct instructor at several Chicago area colleges and universities. A frequent presenter, she is a recipient of an Award of Merit from the Illinois State Board of Education for her work as a classroom teacher and retired as a Superintendent of Schools.
Both instructors grew up in Champaign, descending from family that moved to the county after the Civil War. Currently, they serve as co-chairs of the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail.