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Once garnering fame and recognition for his skills as a journalist and orator, Simmons helped promote Washington's causes that emphasized uplifting oneself economically, in addition to seeking blacks in the South for potential enrollment into Tuskegee Institute.<ref name=biopage55/> He founded ''The Memphis Sun'', which with financial backing from Robert R. Church, Jr. beamed in business for six months in providing success stories and advice for black farmers.<ref name=biopage55/>

Once garnering fame and recognition for his skills as a journalist and orator, Simmons helped promote Washington's causes that emphasized uplifting oneself economically, in addition to seeking blacks in the South for potential enrollment into Tuskegee Institute.<ref name=biopage55/> He founded ''The Memphis Sun'', which with financial backing from Robert R. Church, Jr. beamed in business for six months in providing success stories and advice for black farmers.<ref name=biopage55/>

Forming a friendship with Church, the latter played a crucial role in the organization of the Church's Lincoln League that pushed for the election of black Tennesseans in [[Memphis]].<ref name=biopage55/> Although the effort was defeated by [[Jim Crow]] [[Democrats]], there were enough votes polled to appoint Church to the national GOP advisory board.<ref>''Mississippi Black History Makers'', p. 56.</ref> In addition, a newly organized Lincoln League on the national level in 1919 elected Simmons to become its first president.

Forming a friendship with Church, the latter played a crucial role in the organization of the Church's Lincoln League that pushed for the election of black Tennesseans in [[Memphis]].<ref name=biopage55/> Although the effort was defeated by [[Jim Crow]] [[Democrats]], there were enough votes polled to appoint Church to the national GOP advisory board.<ref name=p.56>''Mississippi Black History Makers'', p. 56.</ref> In addition, a newly organized Lincoln League on the national level in 1919 elected Simmons to become its first president.

===Illinois GOP politics===

===Illinois GOP politics===