Veronica 'Ronnie' L. Robison is a Springfield, Illinois native who has been active in the community through volunteer projects, organizations and social services. Through the years, she has also found pleasure in working with African American Business owners and potential owners. Working on business plans, contractor issues, business fairs, and brain storming new ideas to help empower the African American businesses economically, and provide visibility within the community. She is currently working on the Third Edition of the Springfield Business-The African American Influence "Dare To Dream". This book covers the history of the African American business owners, musicians and artists to the present.
Veronica, the third child born to Isaac and Monica Robison, both Springfield natives who throughout the years have always spoken of the history of Black Springfield. Her interest in the history began since her childhood, but never did she suspect it would be something she would one day be writing about. Her first publication is her most memorable book, many long hours went into conducting research and personal interviews. Since then many of these individuals have passed away. There is never a time when speaking with young audiences that she does not impress on them, that history is made everyday, and we must be recorders of our own history.
As an entrepreneur, she started Ronnie II Publishing Company(having published eight books, working with illustrators, other writers and editors); Fine Crystal Limousine Service (serving the Springfield community and surrounding areas with weddings, proms, birthdays, concerts to Chicago and trips to St. Louis); The Fine Crystal Hostess Service(serving weddings, parties and holiday house parties); Ronnie & Company(Interior and exterior painting,wallpapering and home improvements) which included painting the exterior a Victorian 'Painted Lady' the exterior of several homes and garages. Albeit not on a business level, she also does interior designing for herself and her friends.
She has conducted many workshops on entrepreneurship, addressed business classes at Sangamon State University(now UIS); Lincoln Land Community College; worked on a pilot project with Northern State University on Entrepreneur Education for Teachers.
She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions: NAACP Webster Plaque; US Small Business Administration Small Business Minority advocate of the Year Award Which covered six states in Region V including Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota and Michigan: The power of Minority Business Excellence, which recognized the outstanding business persons in Illinois; Employee Volunteer Service Award during U.S. Department of Justice National Volunteer Week Awards Ceremony presented by Attorney General Janet Reno, given to Federal Employees around the country.
Veronica was first elected President of the Greater Springfield Minority Business Council. She has held office of President on the local chapter of Coordinating Council of Frontier's International, Inc and National President of Coordinating Frontier's International, Inc; The First Vice President of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce; Chairperson of Sangamon County Services Block Grant Advisory Board of Directors; Member of first Board of Directors of the Springfield Children’s museum; and holding other offices through organizations she has been involved in.
Veronica has been employed with the Federal Government for over 35 years and looks forward to retirement in a few years and going full time with her businesses, most particularly on the creative side.
Veronica studies the Korean Martial Art of TaeKwonDo through Perry's School of TaeKwonDo and Self-Defense and received her Black Belt in 2004. She practices the curriculum and has competed in and favors Poomse, the art of graceful forms.
Her greatest blessings come from God and her parents, this is the only reason she is able to continue her most priced project, of Springfield Business-The African American Influence. "It is by the grace of God and the encouragement of Mom and Dad that I step out on Faith".