This episode highlights the story of James Townsend’s generational jump. His family went from Sharecropping to State Farm Insurance in one generation. Mr. Townsend is the oldest of 8 children. He is the son of former sharecroppers, Entrom Townsend Sr. & Alberta Townsend who moved from Hermondale, Missouri, to Chicago, IL for a better life. He was raised in the Altgeld Gardens Homes. He attended Carver High School in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Townsend is a graduate of Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Mr. Townsend spent 25years working in the Chicago Education system. Eventually he opened his own State Farm Office in 1990 on the Southside of Chicago, and finally retired in 2016. He was part of the first wave of Black Insurance Agents hired by State Farm back in the early 1990’s.

James Townsend attributes his successful life journey to his parents, teachers, and a longstanding family focus on education.