September 23, 2025 – Byers & Co continues its century tour with a stop at the new Elsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School, presented by the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation. Listen to the podcasts below!
Elsworth Dansby Principal Rida Ellis and Rida Natalie Beck of the Heart of Illinois Commmunity Foundation joined Byers & Co to talk about the amazing new school and Rida’s commitment to building and launching Dansby.
Principal Rida Ellis and Superintendent Dr. Rochelle Clark joined Byers & Co to talk about how the new magnet school came to be and the process of getting prepared before it welcomed students. Listen to the podcast now!
Principal Rida Ellis and Special Education Teacher Tara Pitt joined Byers and Co to talk about how an updated teaching space draws the most talented educators. Listen to the podcast now!
Artist Antonio Burton and Natalie Beck of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation joined Byers and Co to discuss the mural Antonio created, “Practice Flight”, which is the first mural on the Macon County African American Heritage Trail and located at Dansby school.
Untold Stories Chair, Julia Livingston and Historian Mark Sorensen join Byers & Co to talk about their Untold Stories involvement and its historical significance. Sorensen will discuss the history of Elsworth Dansby Jr. and announced that the second sign on the trail will honor Judge James Benton Parsons and be placed at that DPS school. Listen to the podcast now!
Dr. Chris Cunnings of Millikin University joined Byers & Co to talk about the University’s conference for educators and future educators. Listen to the podcast now.
Natalie Beck of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, Foundation Board Member Dana Ray and and Lumpkin Family Foundation Program Officer Christina Krost discuss the Lumpkin Family Foundation grant for Untold Stories and the Macon County African American Heritage Trail. Listen to the podcast now!
