Frerichs Honors Downstate Community Leaders at Black History Month Celebration (Springfield, IL) – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs recognized eight Downstate leaders for their community impact during a Black History Month celebration held at the Marine Bank Building in downtown Springfield.
The event, hosted at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, highlighted the achievements of African American leaders across a range of fields, including education, public service, labor, literature and civic engagement.
Among those honored were a Springfield dentist, the president and CEO of the Springfield Urban League, the superintendent of Decatur Public Schools, the mayor of Carbondale, a labor leader from Belleville, the head girls basketball coach at Lanphier High School in Springfield, an award-winning children’s book author from O’Fallon, and the president of NAACP Peoria.
Frerichs said the recognition reflects the ongoing contributions of African American leaders throughout Illinois communities.
“We celebrate and acknowledge the great achievements and contributions of African Americans every day, not just in February,” Frerichs said in a statement. “Today, we make a special point of honoring eight leaders who are dedicated to making our communities better places to live, work, and raise a family.”
He added that the honorees have strengthened their neighborhoods by mentoring youth, advancing educational opportunities and demonstrating leadership in public and civic life.
The program also underscored the historical roots of Black History Month, which began in 1926 as Negro History Week, founded by University of Chicago graduate and historian Carter G. Woodson. The observance was later expanded to a monthlong national celebration in 1976.
A video of the ceremony is expected to be posted on the Illinois CMS media website.
The annual recognition event is part of the Treasurer’s broader efforts to highlight community leadership and honor individuals whose work continues to shape Illinois’ social and civic landscape.
Frerichs Honors Downstate Community Leaders at Black History Month Celebration
