- Credibility:
KENWOOD — Timuel Black, the civil rights activist, historian and centenarian from Chicago’s Black Belt, has entered hospice care.
Black is getting care in his Drexel Boulevard home, according to a GoFundMe organized Wednesday by Lisa Yun Lee, a cultural activist and executive director of the National Public Housing Museum.
Funds raised will go to Zenobia Johnson-Black, his wife of 40 years, to pay for in-home nursing care and other related expenses.
“We don’t know how much time Tim has with us, but we want him to be as comfortable and with as much dignity as possible,” Lee wrote on the fundraiser page.
Donors gave more than $15,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. The campaign aims to raise $50,000.
“Tim has been working for all of us for his whole life, fighting the good fight to create a better world,” Lee said. “Let us join together and show how much we care. Please give generously.”
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoEven into his second century of life, Black has consistently made public appearances to talk about his life and activism in the historic Black Belt.
Black celebrated his 102nd birthday last December with a drive-by party attended by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, politicians and former students.
The celebration included the announcement of an annual scholarship “to support a University of Chicago student carrying on the legacy of our South Side legend.”
Black was honored as the first inductee to the Illinois Black Hall of Fame in March.
The honor was “well deserved,” Johnson-Black said at his Hall of Fame induction. “I have seen firsthand and up close his commitment, dedication, his putting the community first and his activism.”
To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Already subscribe? Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
