Vincent June Chappelle’s interest in history was first ignited at 6 years old by his father, Vincent Chappelle I. His stories of their family's Geechee and French Creole ancestry and their harrowing journey from South Carolina to Chicago during the first wave of the Great Migration intrigued June and from that point a fire was lit.

After a year as a Biology major at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, June changed his major, focusing on Sociology, Africana Studies and Anthropology, while minoring in Vocal Performance. Since coming back to Springfield in early 2018, after being paralyzed by an illness, he has not only worked with the African American History Museum as a volunteer and researcher but has held positions with Illinois Times as a freelance Journalist, The Illinois State Museum where he worked as a Historical Researcher and Collections Specialist and most recently at The Phoenix Center in Peer Outreach, in addition to separate projects.

June has also been immersed in Springfield's effervescent Arts scene for nearly five years. A community he says helped his healing process.

“I’m happy to join the African American History Museum in this new role and continue the efforts to tell OUR stories with the unbridled authenticity and care we deserve.”