Black Lives Matter SPI
Springfield, IL
Our
Team
Sunshine Clemons (She/Her) co-founded the local Black Lives Matter SPI chapter in Springfield in 2016 with the goal of making a focused effort here in Springfield to implement changes to local law enforcement, the day to day lives of Black people and the community at large in the city of Springfield.
Sunshine was also a member of the Massey Commission, formed in the aftermath of the murder of Sonya Massey at the hands of a former Sangamon County Deputy and is a founding member of Massey Community Action Network, formed to further the Commission's work.
Sunshine has recieved numerous awards, including both the Kenniebrew Trailblazer Award from SIU School of Medicine and the Advocate for Social Justice Community Award from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Organization that highlight her commitment to the community she serves.
Sunshine's main goal in every space is to create a more equitable environment for those who have been intentionally disregarded due to their marginalized identities.
Tiffani Saunders has worked in health care since July 2021. Prior to that, she was lecturer of Sociology and African American Studies at University of Illinois Springfield for 10 years. There, she was a leading voice for DEI considerations in teaching and faculty recruitment; she also co-chaired the Chancellor's Anti-Racism and Social Justice Task Force. Tiffani is an avid volunteer, giving her time and expertise to organizations, boards, panels, and workshops. She is committed to making the world around her more equal, more just, and more accessible. Her career and volunteering work toward that goal.
Samuel Rhymes was raised between the vibrant cities of Chicago, Illinois, and Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Georgia State University before attending Howard University School of Law. While at Howard, Samuel dedicated himself to community advocacy and civil rights work by joining the Civil Rights Clinic and being elected the Editor-in-Chief of the Howard Human & Civil Rights Law Review, gaining foundational experience in the pursuit of equity and justice through the legal system.
Currently, Samuel continues his commitment to social change through his work specializing in civil rights. Since arriving in Springfield, he has been driven by a desire to uplift, encourage, and emphasize the important voices of the Black community, especially in these trying times. Samuel is honored to bring his passion for community advocacy and social justice to BLM SPI. He is committed to the mission of nurturing and empowering the community while working toward a more just and equitable future.
Megan DeMaris (she/her) currently works as the Trainer at the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA), where she brings equal parts heart, humor, and hard-won expertise to her work. Prior to working in anti-violence, Megan worked as a high school English teacher and Social Justice Club sponsor for over a decade, diversifying the ELA curriculum and uplifting authors with marginalized identities. She has served as the Treasurer for teachers’ union for the Chatham school district, and co-led an antiracism book club for educators through that role. Megan holds a BA in Creative Writing and a deep belief in lifelong learning. She is honored to join the BLM SPI board, to learn from the board leadership, and further the organization’s mission of collective liberation.
Khoran Readus (Co-Founder & Former Black Lives Matter SPI Co-President)
In 2016, Readus became the co-founder of Black Lives Matter-Springfield and has been active in engaging with Springfield’s Black community, becoming both a voice and protector of the unheard community. In 2026 Readus stepped down from the Black Lives Matter SPI Board but her commitment to her community remains strong and the foundation she helped build will continue to support the chapter's efforts.