The A.A.C.G.S provides the Central Illinois community with a solid local research base and networks with other societies' local, state, and national resources. As we have begun our research, already we have located many slave names and owners during the period of 1619 - 1860. African-Americans have helped to build and have remained unacknowledged for far too long. We have the great task of researching and recognizing those African-Americans who helped to make America the great country it is.

Researching African-American(AA) history is a rewarding experience that improves self-esteem, tolerance and diversity. Members have discovered ancestors who were scholars, industrialists, and perhaps even royalty.

THE SOCIETY HAS OUTGROWN ITS CURRENT BUILDING AT 314 N. MAIN STREET IN DECATUR, IL. IT IS UNDERTAKING THIS CAPITAL FUND DRIVE TO PURCHASE AND MAKE NECESSARY RENOVATIONS TO A LARGER BUILDING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. IN A LARGER FACILITY THE SOCIETY WILL BE ABLE TO SEPERATE ITS OFFICE SPACE, LIBRARY, AND RESEARCH SPACE AND PRESENTATION/PERFORMANCE SPACE. IT WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE LONGTIME DREAM OF DISPLAYING ALL OF ITS ARTIFACTS AND ARTWORK AND INCREASING ITS EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS TO CREATE THE FIRST MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY IN ALL OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

The African-American Cultural & Genealogical Society was organized on August 31,1993, starting with 25 members from Decatur and Central Illinois.