Chicago native makes history, becomes highest-ranking person of color in Illinois National Guard

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago native is now the highest-ranking individual of colour in Illinois Nationwide Guard historical past.

It was historical past within the making as Rodney Boyd grew to become a serious basic Saturday, making him the very best rating officer of colour within the almost 300-year historical past of the Illinois Nationwide Guard.

“I hope to encourage others that appear like me to exit and simply do these exhausting issues, however do it with ardour,” Main Basic Boyd mentioned.

The hometown hero’s promotion comes as Chicago and the nation have fun Black Historical past Month.

“Basic Boyd will not be right here due to the colour of his pores and skin, he is right here due to his drive. He is right here due to skills as a frontrunner,” mentioned Main Basic Richard Neely, an adjunct basic for the State of Illinois.

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton officiated the Saturday ceremony at Carver Navy Academy on town’s Far South Aspect. She mentioned Boyd’s promotion is the type of milestone in Black historical past that needs to be celebrated.

“To have the ability to level out that this historical past won’t be erased, we are going to proceed to carry it up and we are going to proceed to have fun accomplishments of Black People,” Stratton mentioned.

Earlier than transferring up in rank, Boyd was already a brigadier basic, who was the primary African American officer to be chosen because the assistant adjutant basic Military to command the ten,000 troopers of the guard.

“What wasn’t thought doable years in the past has occurred,” mentioned James Wells, eighth infantry of the Illinois Nationwide Guard Affiliation.

The final’s spouse of 32 years and his grownup sons had been readily available to assist him obtain his second star because the soldier credited his household for his success.

“Once I heard all of the speeches and I see how far he is come on this group, it simply crammed by coronary heart,” mentioned Basic Boyd’s spouse, Darlene Boyd.

A embellished fight veteran of each Iraq and Afghanistan, Boyd started his navy profession within the Marine Corp. He later joined the Illinois Military Nationwide Guard and has had many management positions over his greater than 35 years of service.

In civilian life, Boyd was the chief of the Bellwood Police Division and likewise labored within the personal sector.

He is a Chicago Public Colleges graduate and holds each bachelors and masters levels.

“I’m honored to put on that title as the primary minority individual to attain this rank of main basic,” Basic Boyd mentioned. “I simply wish to proceed to put on it effectively and signify effectively.”

The main basic mentioned he will get to work instantly. Considered one of his main targets can be to make the navy extra inclusive, particularly for these of colour.