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Charles E. Phillips, Sr. was born May 26, 1889 in Kansas
City, Missouri. His parents were Eliza Johnson and Jack
Phillips. He was a grandson of David Johnson, an ex-slave,
who was one of the founders of the Second Baptist Church,
now Salem Baptist.
Early in his career, Mr. Phillips organized and managed
his own musical group. Later he became interested in politics
and moved to Springfield where he served as State Inspector
for the Department of Registration and Education. He worked
with the Council of Social Agencies; assisted in the organization
of the Springfield Urban League; and organized and promoted
the Frederick Douglass Savings and Loan Company, along with
his own mutual insurance company.
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In 1939, he returned to Champaign to develop the Supreme
Life Insurance Company and also became deeply involved in
community activities. He was a forerunner in promoting low
cost housing at Carver Park, Burch Village, Dunbar Court
and Attucks Place. He was active in the Boy Scout program
through Troop 11 for 25 years. He was appointed a member
of the Champaign Housing Commission and served as honorary
vice president of the Champaign County Urban League. He
was elected to the board of the Nelson Home, later to become
the Frances Nelson Health Center. He cooperated and served
with the Social Agencies Council and the C-U League of Women
Voters.
The city of Champaign named a street in Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Subdivision in his honor.
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