Untold Stories

In 2024, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) announced Untold Stories, a $120,000 community engagement program to bring to life and share stories of underrepresented people in Macon County. The HICF is one of only three Illinois foundations receiving matching grant funds from The Lumpkin Family Foundation. Decatur Earthmover Credit Union and Healing Illinois also provided funding for the Untold Stories program.

The Untold Stories program’s vision is to promote a fuller understanding of history as a contribution to conversations about racial equity and social justice. This program focuses on partnering with local historical/genealogical societies, libraries, schools, universities, museums, nonprofits, and churches to acknowledge and uncover untold history, support partnerships and build relationships, and develop understanding through education.

In 2025, Untold Stories received additional support from both Healing Illinois and The Lumpkin Family Foundation.

Do Something Great Awards Honor Two Untold Stories Individuals to Preserve Legacies

The Great Migration Video Project

Untold Stories committee member Benny Smith, Jr., owner The Suite 703, is conducting interviews for a special Untold Stories video production on the Great Migration to Decatur. The Great Migration was one of the largest movements of people in United States history. Approximately six million Black people moved from the American South to Northern, Midwestern, and Western states roughly from the 1910s until the 1970s.

Untold Stories Community Grants

The Untold Stories program’s vision is to promote a fuller understanding of history as a contribution to conversations about racial equity and social justice.

Untold Stories Educator Grants

Untold Stories provided the following grant funding to support educators actively promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or those who seek to broaden DEI outreach, in their classrooms and schools.

Untold Stories Program Goals:

  • Acknowledge and uncover untold history
  • Support partnerships and build relationships
  • Develop understanding through education

Untold Stories Advisory Committee:

  • Chairwoman, Julia Roundtree Livingston, jlivingston0815@gmail.com
  • Natalie Beck, HICF staff liaison
  • Steve Grohne
  • Justin Hampton
  • Shelith Hansbro
  • Pastor Matt Samuels
  • Benny Smith, Jr.
  • Mark Sorensen
  • Stacey Young
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