Oscar Stanton DePriest

Oscar Stanton DePriest was the first African American elected to the U.S. Congress in the post-Reconstruction era, serving Illinois' 1st congressional district from 1929 to 1935. A prominent advocate for civil rights and economic empowerment, he championed issues affecting African Americans and became a key figure in the ongoing struggle for equality. DePriest's legacy includes his promotion of black business interests and his support for the arts within the African American community.