The Western Illinois Museum, in partnership with Macomb’s Shared Community Action Group and the City of Macomb, invites the public to commemorate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Rev. C.T. Vivian with an evening of learning, reflection, and community on Thursday, July 30, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Born on July 30, 1924, and raised in Macomb, Vivian became an influential voice of the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout his life, he pursued justice through nonviolent activism, helping to shape a more equitable America.
The evening begins with a pizza dinner at 5:00 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., Macomb Mayor Michael Inman will offer brief remarks, followed by a screening of a 25-minute oral history interview conducted by J.Q. Adams with Dr. Rev. C.T. Vivian. The interview provides insights into Vivian’s life, faith, and commitment to social justice.
Following the screening, Rev. Allen Henderson, assistant pastor of Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ, will share reflections on Vivian’s message and its continuing relevance today. Guests are then invited to enjoy dessert and join an informal community conversation inspired by the video and Rev. Henderson’s reflections.
Vivian’s work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made him a leading advocate for nonviolence and civil rights. He began his nonviolent activism in Peoria, Illinois, before joining the growing movement in Nashville, Tennessee. Under the mentorship of James Lawson, who taught strategies of nonviolent resistance inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Vivian went on to participate in sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and major civil rights campaigns across the nation.
Event Schedule: Thursday, July 30, 2026
+ 5:00 p.m. – Pizza dinner served
+ 5:30 p.m. – Welcome and remarks from Macomb Mayor Michael Inman followed by a screening of an interview conducted by J.Q. Adams with Dr. Rev. C.T. Vivian
+ 6:00 p.m. – Reflections by Rev. Allen Henderson
+ 6:15 p.m. – Dessert and community conversation
A suggested $5 donation at the door helps support the Museum’s educational programs.
The Western Illinois Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County. Located in a historic building one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square at 201 S. Lafayette Street, the Museum offers exhibits, lectures, music, and community programs that connect people with local history and culture. Free parking is available, and the building is fully accessible.
For more information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email in**@******um.org. A complete schedule of events is available at wimuseum.org and on social media @wimuseum.
About the Shared Community Action Group
The Shared Community Action (SCA) Group is composed of leaders of civic and religious organizations who first came together as the Moving Macomb Forward Committee.
The SCA’s goal is to strengthen long-term dialogue and cooperation among the diverse members of the Macomb community. It seeks to develop ways individuals and organizations can contribute to an equitable, just, healthy, and strong community, and to confront barriers that keep community members apart and undermine community-building.
The SCA is committed to working with everyone in Macomb who supports its goals, recognizes the human dignity of each of its residents and visitors, and wants to take up the challenge of an ever-deepening dedication to justice and equity.
