Black History Month: Rockford's first Black high school graduate

Chris Green, Rockford Register Star
Updated

How much do you know about Rockford's Black history? In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the Rockford Register Star has partnered with the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room to bring our readers a local Black history fact of the day.

Visit rrstar.com or the Rockford Register Star newspaper each day throughout the month of February to read about the people, places and events that played significant roles in shaping the rich fabric of Rockford's Black history.

February 2, 2024

1875: David Sumner becomes first Black student to graduate from Rockford high school

This image of Rockford Central High School is seen on page 12 of "That Men Know So Little of Men: A History of the Negro in Rockford, 1834-1973" by Barbara Chapman.
This image of Rockford Central High School is seen on page 12 of "That Men Know So Little of Men: A History of the Negro in Rockford, 1834-1973" by Barbara Chapman.

In 1875, David Sumner became the first Black individual to graduate from Rockford Central High School.

Want to learn more about David Sumner? Visit the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room at rockfordpubliclibrary.org/local-history or in person at the Hart Interim Library, 214 N. Church St.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Black History Month: Rockford's first Black high school graduate