Timeline: 1934

The Neighborhood House, 503 E. Washington, was provided as a recreational space for African Americans because they were denied access to local segregated facilities in the Champaign community. Funding for this six-room house came partly from the Community Chest, W.P.A. and the Township Supervisor.

August 3: Mae R. Hawkins was hired as the first Black teacher in Unit 4 Schools. She was educated at Illinois State Normal School and the National Kindergarten School of Evanston.  She was hired for Lawhead School and was assigned to teach “colored” students exclusively. She left Unit 4 to work in the Springfield Public Schools.

Shelton Laundry started in the basement of the Shelton’s home. Eventually it would become the largest Black business in Champaign County, located at 1111 Eads in Urbana, IL. The business operated from 1934–1986.