State of Black Springfield Conference

The State of Black Springfield conference, held at the University of Illinois Springfield, brought together community voices to address critical issues such as education, housing, health, and economic growth within the Black community. Organized with strong support from local groups like Black Lives Matter-Springfield, the Garvey-Tubman Cultural Arts & Research Center, Intricate Minds, Resistor Sisterhood, and the Springfield Coalition on Dismantling Racism, the event featured panel discussions and interactive sessions moderated by members of these organizations. UIS played a significant role as well, with its Sociology and Anthropology Department and Provost’s Leadership Team contributing to the event’s planning and logistics. Sociology students from the Residential Segregation course were instrumental in writing the program and served as support staff, providing hands-on experience in community-based scholarship and activism.