About The Heritage Trail
The Macon County African American Heritage Trail is a celebration of the lives and contributions of African Americans in the Macon County area.
The mission is to educate today's residents and visitors about the rich cultural history of a people whose stories have been largely unrecognized, but who directly shaped the place we call home. Our vision is to inspire conversation, expand understanding, and contribute to a better society.
The trail is a community-driven and volunteer-led initiative. Content on this website is continually updated and reviewed, so please visit periodically for new information. To submit history, points of pride, or events for inclusion on the Trail, or to provide feedback on existing content, visit the Connect page.
Our trail was launched through back-to-back grant awards from the Healing Illinois program totaling $48,000 and support from the Lumpkin Family Foundation, providing the foundational support needed to move the project from concept to implementation. This early investment made it possible to establish the trail's first markers and mural and set a standard for historical accuracy, design quality, and public accessibility.
As the Macon County African American Heritage Trail plans for 2026, the project does so with both momentum and a renewed sense of confidence. Successfully researching, funding, and installing two permanent markers in 2025 was a significant accomplishment for an all-volunteer effort and confirmed that the vision for the trail is both achievable and sustainable.
Trail Co-Chairs
Leading the Macon County African American Heritage Trail
Meet Our Committee
Dedicated volunteers preserving and sharing our heritage.
Julia Roundtree-Livingston
Trail Co-Chair
Leading the effort to document and preserve the untold stories that shape our community's heritage.
Mark Sorensen
Official Macon County Historian
Dedicated historian researching and documenting the rich African American history of Macon County.
Natalie Beck
Trail Co-Chair
Dedicated to ensuring the Heritage Trail serves as a bridge between past, present, and future generations.
Antonio Burton
Sign Designer/Muralist/Committee Member
Committed to preserving and sharing the stories that define our community.
Steve Grohne
Committee Member
Working to ensure our heritage is accessible to all community members.
Justin Hamilton
Committee Member
Dedicated to youth engagement and educational outreach.
Stacey Young
Committee Member
Committed to ensuring diverse voices are heard and preserved.
Pastor Matt Samuels
Committee Member
Bridging faith communities with heritage preservation initiatives.
Shelith Hansbro
Committee Member
Focused on community partnerships and collaborative preservation efforts.
