Points of Pride
The points of pride are brief histories of people, places, art, and events of historical relevance within Champaign County. Check back often as we continue to share history as it is uncovered in the community.
Points of Pride are categorized by Visual Arts, Community, Education, Military, Government, and Social Life.
Image credit: University of Illinois Department of African American Studies
Community
John Lee Johnson Way and Clubhouse
John Lee Johnson (1941–2006) grew up in Champaign-Urbana and become an influential leader and community advocate. In 1967, he helped organize the Special Education Opportunities Program and Project 500 at the University of Illinois, which sought to increase the school's enrollment of Black and Latinx students. He served as a member of the Champaign City Council from 1973–1981. Additionally, he contributed to the development of Champaign's Martin Luther King Jr. Subdivision. Over his lifetime, he received many awards and accolades for his contributions. In 2006, the Champaign City Council designated Fourth Street (between University and Bradley Avenues) as Honorary John Lee Johnson Way—the honorary street designation has since been retired. Then, in 2020, the Champaign City Council announced that the clubhouse in the Bristol Place Residences would also be named after John Lee Johnson.
Image credit: Tombstone of Albert R. Lee and family. Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center.
Community
Mt. Hope Cemetery
Mt. Hope Cemetery is the final resting place for many African Americans who lived in Champaign County since before the Civil War. Many notable African Americans are buried at Mt. Hope, including Albert R. Lee (the unofficial Dean of African American Students at the University of Illinois), Martin McDermot (Civil War veteran and businessman), Sergeant Allen A. Rivers, Sr. (first African American policeman in Champaign), and others.
Image credit: News Gazette
Community
WBCP Radio Way
The Champaign City Council designated Fourth Street, between Tremont Street and Grove Street, as Honorary WBCP Radio Way on November 18, 2018. Owned by P & C Enterprise, Inc., WBCP Radio was the first Black-owned radio station in Central Illinois and was established in 1948 as WKID and served the area until 2020.
Image credit: Top image: "Through the Years: African-American History in Champaign County." (Fall 2002/Winter 2003)
Community
Phillips Drive
Phillips Drive in Champaign is named after Charles Phillips, an influential advocate for improved low-cost housing in Attucks Place, Carver Park, Burch Village, Dunbar Court, and other areas. His expertise in housing issues led to an appointment as a member of the Champaign Housing Commission. He also served as honorary Vice President of the Champaign County Urban League, and as a member of the Frances Nelson Health Center Board of Directors.
Image credit: Top: "In All My Years: Portraits of Older Blacks in Champaign-Urbana" by Raymond Bial (Champaign County Historical Museum); Bottom: Champaign Park District
Community
Wesley Park
After teaching first grade at Lawhead Elementary School since 1946, Odelia Wesley transferred to Washington Elementary School in 1951, where she became the principal three years later. She earned many honors and awards for her work with children and seniors. The city of Champaign dedicated Wesley Park (915 N. Third Street) to her in 1970. She continued to give back to the community as a member on the Board of Directors of the Frances Nelson Health Center, as a member of the American Association of University Women, and a teacher of knitting and crocheting for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program at Helen Stevick Center.
Image credit: Above: Champaign County Historical Archives at The Urbana Free Library │Below: Champaign Unit 4 School District
Education
Barkstall Elementary School
Barkstall Elementary School (2201 Hallbeck Dr., Champaign) is named for Vernon L. Barkstall, who served as Director of The Urban League of Champaign County for nearly 30 years, and as an active member of numerous civic organizations, including the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, Champaign-Urbana Convention and Visitors Bureau, and American Legion Post 559 of Champaign.
Image credit: Top: University of Illinois; Bottom: Dr. Preston L. Williams Jr. Elementary School
Education
Dr. Preston L. Williams Jr. Elementary School
The Dr. Preston L. Williams Jr. Elementary School (2102 E. Washington St., Urbana) is named after Dr. Preston Williams, a University of Illinois graduate who became a teacher, coach, and administrator in the Urbana School District 116. He went on to become the first African American Superintendent in the District. Formerly called Prairie Elementary, the school changed names in the 2015–2016 school year.
Image credit: Museum of the Grand Prairie
Education
Museum of the Grand Prairie
The Museum of the Grand Prairie (950 N. Lombard, Mahomet), part of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, strives to collect, preserve and interpret the natural and cultural history of Champaign County and East Central Illinois for all generations. It is noted for its collections—namely, the Doris K. Wylie Hoskins Archive and Chanute Air Force Base Collection—which are particularly important for African American history. Doris Hoskins was a dedicated historian, archivist, and preservationist of local African American history, while the Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul is where the famed Tuskegee Airmen began their training.
Image credit: Above: Champaign County Historical Archives at The Urbana Free Library │ Below: Stratton Academy of the Arts
Education
Stratton Academy of the Arts
Stratton Academy of the Arts, an arts-themed, K–5 magnet school in Champaign, is named after Kenneth O. Stratton. In 1961, Stratton was elected the first Black councilman in the City of Champaign—and one of the first elected at large in the United States.
Image credit: Top image: "In All My Years: Portraits of Older Blacks in Champaign-Urbana" by Raymond Bial (Champaign County Historical Museum)
Education
Taylor Thomas Lane
Located between Fourth and Fifth Streets (west to east), and Bradley and Beardsley Avenues (north to south), Taylor Thomas Lanes is named after the first Black teacher in the Urbana school system. He served as a teacher and administrator between 1956 and 1977. He was also a President of the local NAACP chapter and volunteered with many social service organizations.