Timuel “Tim” D. Black, a Chicago historian who survived the Great Depression and worked on the front lines during World War II, turned 100 years old over the weekend.
Black has lived in Chicago since he was an infant, growing up in a neighborhood that was then called the “Black Belt”, according to ABC7. Black’s family was one of many who were part of the first Great Migration from the segregated South.
Timuel D. BlackBlack grew up to be a high school teacher, college professor and author. His latest book, Sacred Ground, is about his experiences growing up on the South Side and will hit the shelves soon.
Friends and family of Black held a Gala on Sunday at the South Shore Cultural Center to celebrate “his lifetime of extraordinary service to our community: teacher, soldier, civil rights leader, political activist, author, social historian,” according to the event invitation.
The event requested donations ranging from $100-$5,000 and will benefit the Vivian Harsh Society’s annual Timuel D. Black Research Fellowship and help develop the Timuel D. Black Education Foundation.
