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The Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian at former WIU President Jack Thomas' 2011 inauguration.
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The Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian speaking at WIU's Dealing with Diversity Institute.
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Dr. Martin Luther King, second from right, talks with Nashville leaders of the sit-in demonstration, John Lewis, left, and Lester McKinnie, right, along with Atlanta minister C.T. Vivian, second from left, before speaking to estimated 2,000 people May 3, 1964. {UPI Wire Service Photo}
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The Rev. C. T. Vivian arguing with a militiaman during his 1961 Freedom Ride that ended with his arrest in Jackson, Mississippi. Vivian asked the Mississippi militia officer to make a rest stop for the riders. The officer refused. The riders went without food, water, or bathroom breaks for nine hours. From http://www.freedommosaic.com/ct-vivian#prev
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Remembering Civil Rights Icon, WIU Graduate CT Vivian

July 17, 2020

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MACOMB, IL – Legendary Civil Rights activist and Macomb native the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian passed away this morning (July 17) at his home in Atlanta. He was 95.

Vivian, a distinguished, author, organizer and civil rights icon, graduated from Macomb High School in 1942 and went on to attend Western Illinois University, where he worked as the sports editor for the student newspaper. His career as an activist began in Peoria (IL), where he participated in his first sit-in demonstrations, which successfully integrated Barton's Cafeteria in 1947.

During his long career as a Civil Rights icon, Vivian served with Dr. Martin Luther King in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. He joined King's executive staff and served as the national director of affiliates for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. While in Chicago he organized and directed the Coalition for United Community Action. The group of 61 organizations became Chicago's Black Front.

"There must always be the understanding of what Martin had in mind for this organization," Vivian said in a 2012 interview. "Nonviolent, direct action makes us successful. We learned how to solve social problems without violence. We cannot allow the nation or the world to ever forget that."

He was the first one of King's staff to write a book on the Civil Rights Movement, "Black Power and the American Myth." In 2013, he was among 16 individuals recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"I never would have been who I was if not for Macomb, Illinois," he said during a presentation at WIU in September 2010. "We'd lost everything in the Great Depression, and they wanted to protect the one thing they still had [their child]. They wanted to leave Missouri because of segregation, so we came to Macomb because I could start first grade here and go all the way through college."

Vivian was the director of the Urban Theological Institute at Atlanta's Interdenominational Theological Center, a consortium of African-American seminaries, and was board chair of Capitol City Bank, a minority-owned bank with branches in eight locations in Georgia. Through his C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute, he fostered innovative leadership and career development for at-risk youth and college graduates.

"It was a great honor and privilege to have had this renowned champion of Civil Rights and social justice as a member of our WIU and Macomb communities," said WIU Interim President Martin Abraham. "His legacy will continue, and we will honor and memorialize the Rev. Dr. Vivian through our work to ensure social justice on our campuses and in our communities."

In October 2015, the Macomb High School Library was renamed the C.T. Vivian Library. The Rev. Dr. Vivian also served as the WIU Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal that year, and the City of Macomb issued an honorary designation of C.T. Vivian Way from University Drive to Carroll Street. In addition, Vivian was recognized as Western's dissertation fellowship and visiting professor programs are renamed the C.T. Vivian Dissertation Fellowship & Visiting Professor Teaching Scholars Programs. In September 2003, Macomb City officials designated a portion of West Murray Street from Stadium Drive to University Drive, the roadway through the campus, as C.T. Vivian Way. Vivian received an honorary doctorate from Western Illinois University in 1987.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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