SALUTE TO TWO GREAT PILLARS OF CHICAGO'S AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, in the midst of the nation's Great Depression, Rev. A.R. Leak came to this city with a vision of opening his own funeral business after having realized that Chicago's African-Americans could not afford to bury their loved ones in a respectable manner; and
WHEREAS, the pioneering Chicago mortician opened a funeral home in 1933 with $500.00 that he earned as a bathroom attendant at the Chicago Century of Progress World's Fair and a $500.00 loan from his wife. In 1938, he founded the A.R. Leak Funeral chapels that have become a pillar of this city's African-American community with two locations in Chicago and south suburban Country Club Hills where his son and grandson serve more than 2000 families per year; and
WHEREAS, On April 15, 1938, A.R. and Dorothy Leak's union was blessed with a son who they named Spencer who would follow in his father into the funeral business and also become an iconic pillar of his community. Spencer Leak and his three brothers grew up in this city's historic Bronzeville neighborhood. He attended Raymond Elementary School, graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1956. He went on to Wilson Junior College, and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1959; and
WHEREAS. Spencer Leak, Sr. served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in West Germany. In 1964. Leak joined 10,000 activists led by his father and Reverend Clay Evans to protest the racially segregated Oakwood Cemetery. As a result of that action, Oakwood Cemetery opened its gates to African Americans and is now the final resting place of many famous African Americans including the great athlete, Jesse Owens and Mayor Harold Washington; and
WHEREAS, inspired by the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, Leak became intimately involved with the Civil Rights movement. He provided limousine service for Dr. King during his time in Chicago, often personally driving him to a...
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