Binga Dismond, someone worth remembering

When I was researching Amos Alonzo Stagg and Stagg Field, I realized that, while Stagg is famous for football, but he was a huge presence for track and field too, especially promoting the Olympics movement. He also respected talent. Henry Binga Dismond (1891-1956) was one of his track stars in 1915-1917, a Black man competing … Continue reading Binga Dismond, someone worth remembering →

William Warfield

When I was researching Hyde Park/Kenwood/Woodlawn’s first women representatives, I came across the name of William J. Warfield, who was elected in 1928 in the same district. Warfield was the 15th African-American to serve in the Illinois House. The first African-American in the Illinois legislature was John W. E. Thomas in 1876. Though he wasn’t … Continue reading William Warfield →