With four days left in Black History Month, the Champaign City Council is moving forward with plans to honor the legacies of two Black women who spent decades serving the community.
For many in Champaign-Urbana, the names Benita Rollins Gay and the late Diane Nesbitt are synonymous with care, advocacy and tireless dedication. City leaders are considering proposals to install honorary street signs bearing their names as lasting reminders of their impact.
One proposal would rename a portion of Walnut Street between Eureka and North as Honorary Benita Rollins Gay Way. The stretch is located near Rosecrance Behavioral Health, where Rollins Gay served as a mobile crisis coordinator for more than 20 years.
For more than three decades, Rollins Gay worked as an educator, social worker and advocate throughout Champaign County. She trained police officers in crisis response, mentored emerging leaders, served on the Urbana School Board and volunteered at the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. Supporters say her work in social services and community advocacy has left a lasting imprint on countless families.
Another proposal would rename Hickory Street between Vine and North as Honorary Diane Nesbitt Way. The street runs in front of American Legion Post 559, a place her family says she deeply cherished.
Nesbitt dedicated more than 40 years to social work and retired from the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission in 2019. Beyond her professional career, she used photography as a tool for connection, capturing community moments and sharing them with those unable to attend events in person. Supporters say that even after her passing in May 2025, her commitment to service and unity continues to resonate.
If approved, Rollins Gay and Nesbitt would become the 72nd and 73rd recipients of Champaign’s honorary street designation program, which began in 2000. City council members expressed gratitude for the decades of service both women provided and voiced support for recognizing their contributions.
Both proposals will move forward for a final vote at an upcoming council meeting.
