The Pantagraph
Quincy Cummings, president of the Bloomington-Normal branch of the NAACP and a charter member of the Minority and Police Partnership, was named Normal's Citizen of the Year on Thursday.
The Pantagraph
"Quincy's tireless efforts to improve this community for all citizens is exemplary," said Mayor Chris Koos. "His dedication to the cause of equality for all residents of Normal and McLean County stands out along with those of the Citizens of the Year who came before him."
Recently, Cummings has been working with Normal and Bloomington to help with the recruitment of minority employees.
"He wasn't critical; he offered suggestions," said Koos.
Cummings, who was clearly surprised at the announcement, said he was speechless.
"It's definitely an honor; it's definitely not expected," he said.
Cummings, who received the 2013 Normal Human Relations Commission Martin Luther King Jr. Award, said: "The work I do is not to get awards or ink in the paper. It's what I truly believe is right for the community. While I'm here, I will do what I must to make it in better shape then when I found it."
He has lived in Normal for 22 years, first coming to the community to attend Illinois State University. He has worked at State Farm for 14 years, currently serving as a business analyst.
Cummings said Normal and Bloomington have been very receptive to suggestions to attract a diverse pool of employees.
"From the mayor down, they're reaching out to us," he said. "I think in the next three to five years, there will be more diversity."
He said one of the first changes that needs to be made is the perception of police, especially in light of recent happenings around the nation.
"We've got to change the perception and also change the culture from within," he said.
The local NAACP branch is working with students studying criminal justice at Illinois State University and Lincoln College to show them "doing police work is honorable and needed," he said.
In 2014, the NAACP recognized Cummings' efforts by awarding him the Roy Wilkins Award, the highest statewide honor.
"Quincy's work in the community is to make sure the family portrait of Bloomington-Normal portrays all of its residents," said Chemberly Cummings, Quincy Cummings' wife.
Cummings worked with the local NAACP chapter to establish the Minority and Police Partnership after he was the victim of racial profiling in a traffic stop. He also serves on Normal's Human Relation Commission.