September 29, 2023- DPS 61 administration, faculty, and students, along with community members, gathered on the site of the former Oak Grove Elementary School, located at 2160 West Center Street, to celebrate the building of the Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School. The new school will replace the current American Dreamer STEM Academy.
“You have a group of young individuals that stand before you, that are very happy to know that everyone standing here, as well as all of you out there took the time to say you are important, and we want to make sure you know we are invested in you and your future,” Dr. Rochelle Clark, DPS 61 Superintendent said.
On Tuesday, September 26th, the DPS Board of Education approved naming the new building Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School.
Ellsworth Dansby Junior was a native of Decatur, and was born on October 5th, 1914. He was a graduate of Decatur High School and one of the first Black men to graduate from Millikin University. Mr. Dansby is most known for his military service. He was the second black man to be sworn into the Army Air Force, and the first enlisted man in the group to receive the rank of master sergeant during World War II. He was also a member of the first Black aviation unit, the 99th Pursuit Squadron of the Army Air Corps, which later became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
Following in service in the war, Dansby returned to Decatur, where he campaigned for civil rights and racial integration. He became a member of the Decatur School Board, and served from 1968 to 1971. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Decatur/Macon County Opportunities Corporation.
“I am sure my father would be highly honored to have his name associated with such a tremendous project,” Ellsworth Dansby III, Ellsworth Dansby Jr.’s son said. “He always believed education was the key, the core of development for all people and all communities. Decatur still is a vibrant community, still building, still growing, and growing in the right direction.”
To learn more about the new magnet school, click HERE.
