HICF Macon County African American Heritage Trail honored with State Award

The Best of Illinois History Awards were given out in Springfield on April 25 by the Illinois State Historical Society. Decatur historian and past ISHS president Mark Sorensen was chair of the awards committee and served as emcee for the event. After opening remarks from Illinois’ senior United State Senator Dick Durbin, Sorensen gave out thirty-six awards for articles, books, newsletters, websites, projects, ceremonies, and history professionals for works done in 2025.

Two Decatur-area groups received the highest state citation, the Award of Superior Achievement, both in the category of Public Programing – Exhibitions. The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation’s Untold Stories project was honored for its Macon County African American Heritage Trail, which includes historical markers, art, and a website. When accepting for the project, co-chair Natalie Beck said she was honored, and that “this work has never been about a single marker or mural. It’s about making sure the stories that shaped this community are seen, told, and carried forward.” The projects work can be seen online at mcafricanamericanheritagetrail.org

Also receiving an Award of Superior Achievement was Rich Hansen’s Mt. Zion High School’s African American History Class for its project Honoring the Legacy: Black History in Illinois Banners. These banners toured six locations around the state in 2025 and at some point will be on permanent display in Decatur. Accepting for the class were Hansen and the banner’s graphic designer, former student Lexie Damery. The class project was funded by a grant from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation’s Untold Stories committee.