From the Coal Mines to the World's Mind

• Harvey Chilton was a dedicated father of eight, with his eldest son being Robert. Despite Harvey's inability to read or write—he could only recognize his own name—he understood that education was the key to breaking free from the coal mines. He instilled this belief in his children, and Robert managed to attend school until the ninth grade before he had to leave for work in the mines. Aware that few black individuals had the opportunity to obtain a high school diploma at the time, he knew he could achieve more with the education he had received.
• Robert then joined the U.S. Army, where he truly witnessed the power of education in action. He observed younger educated soldiers directing older experienced soldiers and later was inspired by educated officers who commanded both young and experienced troops based on having a formal education. This experience only deepened his respect for the value of learning. 
• Eventually, Robert moved his family to Springfield, Ohio, ensuring that they all received a strong educational foundation. From an early age, his children learned the alphabet, colors, how to count, and how to tell time, preparing them for kindergarten. But Robert's commitment to education didn’t stop there! He made it his mission to ensure that everyone in his community recognized the importance of a good education.
• His efforts bore fruit when his eldest daughter became the first college graduate in the entire Chilton lineage. To honor this legacy, the Robert Chilton Scholarship Foundation was established by Charles Chilton Sr., Robert’s youngest son and also a college graduate. This foundation serves as a means to continue their vision and empower future generations through education.