CLINTON MAYES - The First African American Police Officer on the Aurora Police Department
Clinton Mayes
In memory of Clinton Mayes the first African-American to join the Aurora Police Department. Clinton Mayes, a former Marine, was hired by the Aurora Police Department on 10-5-1964. He was built like a football player but known as a gentle giant. We can only imagine what it was like to be an African-American in the early 1960's but he never let discrimination trouble him. Clinton left the Aurora Police Department to become a Special Agent with the Illinois Bureau of Investigation which subsequently merged with the Illinois State Police. He finished out his law enforcement career with the Illinois State Police retiring in 1991. He then worked as a court security officer for Kane County. Clinton Mayes served as a Sunday School teacher, trustee, choir member and custodian at St. John A.M.E. Church to who was and devoted to his family.
FRANCISCO CARRERA - A pioneer in law enforcement forensic animations
SGT. FRANCISCO CARRERA
The Illinois State Police runs one of the three law enforcement forensic animation programs in the country. Sgt. Carrera creates re-enactments of crimes through the use of animations. Sgt. Carrera's animations have been instrumental in helping jury's understand the events of a crime or incident. He has helped pioneer bringing technology into the courtroom.
SHAWANA DAVIS - First FEMALE African-American Sergeant at the DuPage County Sheriff's Office
Shawana Davis
Congratulations goes out to Shawana Davis the first FEMALE African-American promoted to Sergeant at the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. She is a 6 year veteran with the DuPage County Sheriff Office.
DONNELL COLLINS - The first African American newspaper photographer in Aurora
Donnell Collins
Congratulations to Donnell Collins who was honored on September 23, 2004 by the City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board for his accomplishments as a professional photographer.
David W. Moore
David W. Moore is the first African-American to hold Office of Coroner in Kane County Illinois. He was sworn to office on February 16, 1999. His office employs four (4) Administrative Staff members, Six (6) Deputy Coroners, and Four (4) contractual Forensic Pathologists.
Moore also is the second African-American employed by Kane County Illinois Sheriff's Office. He began his career in August 1969. He retired from Kane County Sheriff's Office April 15, 1998. He served nearly 29 years of outstanding and dedicated service to the citizens of Kane County, as a Deputy Sheriff. He held a variety of positions within the Sheriff's Office. He served as a Patrol Officer, Criminal Investigator, Commander of Bomb Squad, Supervisor of Court Security, Supervisor of Transportation, and Lead Criminal
Investigator for Kane County State's Attorney Office. He served in the US Army with a combination of Active Duty and Army Reserve for 35 years. He retired from the Army on April 5, 1998. His rank is Command Sergeant Major. He served both in Viet Nam and Persian Gulf War.
On December 1, 1999, Moore hired the first African-American, and Deputy Coroner, in the history of the Coroner's Office.
JUDGE F. KEITH BROWN
Judge F. Keith Brown was born and raised in Elgin Illinois. He graduated in 1974 from Larkin High School, received a bachelor degree in economics in 1978 and received his Law degree from Drake University in 1981. He began his law career as a staff attorney for the Illinois Industrial Commission writing decisions for worker's compensation cases. In 1982 he became a hearing referee for the Department of Labor hearing cases concerning unemployment benefits. In 1983 he became an associate with the firm of Miller, Feda and Barbossa as a litigation attorney. He opened his own law office in 1989 in downtown Elgin. Judge Brown was a trial attorney with most of his practice consisting of Personal Injury, Worker's Compensation and Criminal Law. In 1990 Judge Brown was hired as a conflict attorney for Kane County at which time he personally handled over 120 felonies while maintaining a private practice.
In July of 1991 Judge Brown was appointed as the first African American to become a Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit. As an Associate Judge he had the opportunity to serve as the presiding Judge of the traffic division and the family division. He has also presided over matters relating to DUI's, mental health, small claims, juveniles, paternity, domestic violence, dissolution of marriage and child support matters. In 1996 Judge Brown was elected as a Circuit Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit. Since that time he as served as a felony trial judge, also was the Presiding Judge of the Family Division and is currently hearing civil law jury cases.
Judge Brown has written articles regarding worker?s compensation and family law matters. He has also lectured to various seminars and meetings concerning the economic impact of the awarding of maintenance in a divorce, domestic violence, driving under the influence cases, domestic violence and training for guardian ad litems.
Judge Brown has been very active in the community. He was past president of Neighborhood Housing Service of Elgin, a board member of the Elgin YMCA, a board member of Literacy Volunteers of America, a board member of the local head start program, a past member of the Elgin Planning Board. He was also a past member of the faculty for the Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Judicial Training Seminar. He has served on the Kane County DUI Task Force and the Kane County Domestic Violence Task Force. Judge Brown was instrumental in creating a special fund in the county paid for through fines of drunken drivers to assist in the drug and alcohol education. The fund generates over $30,000 per year to assist in these matters. Judge Brown was instrumental in setting up a Pro-se night court for divorce matters and is currently heading a task force to review how custody cases are handled in divorce court.
He is has spoken if front of many high school groups and organizations concerning drinking and driving. He has coached little league and youth basketball. Judge Brown has a son Marcus age 15 and a daughter Nicole age 11.
Wilbert Walters
Wilbert Walters was born in New Orleans Louisiana in 1929 to a single parent household. He graduated from Gilbert Academy - A prestigious private school in the uptown section of Louisiana. While in high school he excelled in track and field, football, and basketball specializing in the long jump for which he became a State Champion. He was also a member of the school drama club.
After graduating high school, he attended Xaiver University on a football and track scholarship. After one year of college, he joined the Air Force. He was one of two black airmen who integrated and all white squadron. While in the Air Force he played football, basketball and ran on the first track team ever developed in the Far East.
After leaving the air force, he returned to New Orleans where he played in a semi-pro football league for one year before returning to College. He attended Southern University in Baton Rouge Louisiana where he earning a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and was captain of the first golf team at Southern University
Coach Walters, as he is more commonly known married his college sweetheart Celeste Walters whom he has been married to for more than 50 years. They both became public School Teachers in New Orleans following college. In 1957, they moved to Illinois to pursue greater employment opportunities in education. They have raised five beautiful children, three of which are college graduates and a fourth who is employed by Fermi Lab as a Machinist.
From 1957 to 1980 Mr. Walters worked as a Dean of students, Coach, P.E teacher and finally Administrative Assistant to the superintendent at the Department of Corrections in St. Charles Illinois. From 1980 to 1983, he was employed by East Aurora High School as a teacher and coached the girl's track team. Under his leadership the 1983 East High girl's track team earned a conference championship with a perfect 10-0 dual meet record and sent 3 relay teams to the state championship, a record that has yet to be matched. From 1983-1997, he was head coach of the West Chicago High School girl's track team also coaching girl's basketball and freshman football for a shot time. He later accepted a position as the boys Assistant Golf Coach. In 1997, both he and his wife retired. His wife Celeste Walters also retired after having taught in the Public School System in Aurora Ill. for 30 years. At present, Mr. Walters is employed by the city of Aurora as a golf instructor in the elementary and Jr. High schools.
One of his many dreams was to become a surrogate father to under privileged children in his community because he never had a father to help guide him through life. He realized this dream when he organized the Aurora Sundowners Track Club in 1668 to give young minority youths an opportunity to develop their running, jumping, and throwing skills. A number of those youths are now college graduates and have returned to the community to teach and provide many other worthwhile services in their communities. Coach Walters has personally transported a number of his athletes to and from track practice and meets. He has also provided much needed financial assistance to many of the underprivileged athletes over the years.
After 34 years, Coach Walters takes pride in not only developing good athletes, but more importantly good and productive citizens. Coach Walters is still the volunteer Head Coach of the Aurora Sundowners Track Club.
"Becoming a successful athlete requires talent, but having talent is not a sure ticket to success. You must really want to succeed and work at it. You may never win a race, but the character and good work ethic you develop alone will stay with you for life. Patience, punctuality, intelligence, tenacity, and honesty are all key ingredients in the recipe for a successful life. "
Wilbert Walters
Scheketa Hart-Burns - Aurora Alderwoman, Ward 7
First elected in 1991. Is a graduate of Edison College in Florida. Is currently the Chairperson of the Government Operations Committee and has served on that committee since 1991. Served on the Finance Committee as a member 1991 to 1995 and as an alternate from 1995 to present. She is also on the Office Committee for the Aldermen's Office.
Happily married to Mr. William F. Burns since 1997. Is mother of 5 children, Malik, Kehinde, Hakim, Amina & Ahmad (deceased) Hart and other sons, Michael, Vernon and Arvin Burns. Is an evangelist at the Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ (G.O.G.L.C.)
