CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) -- Black History Month is a time to reflect on influential Black figures who've made an impact in our society.
We're learning more about a man from Carrier Mills, whose legacy in Carbondale is still felt to this day.
William Perkins is the grandson of Archie Jones. Jones was born in Carrier Mills on March 30th 1901. Perkins tells News 3 WSIL that's where his grandfather began his journey as an educator.
"He was going to be a lawyer and that didn't work out, so he came back and started teaching and got his degree in teaching," he said.
Jones taught in Carrier Mills for two years and became principal of Dunbar School for 31 years. In 1955, he moved to Carbondale and was hired principal of Crispus Attucks Junior High School. Perkins says it was monumental for the family.
"Integration is what kind of got things going in Carbondale and that's why he got the job 'cause they expanded, but Carbondale hadn't integrated totally at that time," he said.
Over a decade later, Jones became the first Black Carbondale city council member. His mission was to bring unity and be a voice for the Black community.
Eurma C. Hayes Center Executive Director, Robert Wills, says he cared about all walks of life. "He was so respected by the kids and their parents so he put a lot of things in the community and did what I would call "healing-type stuff" to go along with educational," Wills said.
Perkins says he started various programs, helped renovate the Northeast side of Carbondale and was leader in the Methodist Church. He hopes his legacy will encourage others.
"I'm hoping that he might've been an inspiration to some of the other people in the community as far as being a school teacher, being principals because a person like him opened the doors and show that it can be done," he said.
Jones was also the first Black president of the Carbondale Kiwanis Club. He's been recognized with awards like Carbondale's Citizen of the Year. Jones died in 1998 at the age of 97.
