Springfield, Illinois – the place she once said she would never return to – would eventually become the place where she rediscovered purpose, community, and a renewed sense of belonging.
Growing up surrounded by community engagement was nothing new for Azaliah Isaiah-Davenport. What was new was the challenge of leaving behind what was familiar, experiencing life beyond Springfield, and eventually making the decision to return home. Coming back was an unexpected journey, one that forced her to look at her hometown through a different lens.
After returning to Springfield from Texas, Azaliah was surprised by what she found. The city she remembered had changed. She saw a community embracing collaboration and empowerment while simultaneously yearning for modernization, growth and meaningful change. Rather than simply seeing the challenges facing Springfield, she began to see opportunities after opportunities to serve her community in a more intentional and impactful way.
For Azaliah, returning home was also about building a life for herself and her daughter. That journey was not always easy. One of the greatest challenges she faced was finding adequate housing that was both safe and affordable. As a mother, she wasn’t simply looking for a place to live; she was searching for a home where her daughter could feel secure, comfortable, and rooted in the community. Navigating the limited options while trying to remain within a realistic budget became a deeply personal struggle.
That experience gave her an even greater awareness of the everyday challenges families face. Housing is more than four walls and a roof, it is stability, safety, dignity and the foundation from which families can build their futures. The difficulty of finding that foundation for herself and her daughter strengthened her understanding of why community advocacy and meaningful change matter.
Azaliah grew up in Springfield, attending Dubois Elementary, Lincoln Magnet School and Springfield High School. Although she often felt that she did not completely belong, she was consistently surrounded by wonderful, kind, and supportive community members. Her connection to service and community was not something she developed on her own. It was part of a legacy passed down through generations.
Her grandfather, Rudy Davenport, was a widely known and cherished civic activist, leader and facilitator who dedicated himself to creating change and fostering collaboration for a better Springfield. His influence helped shape the foundation upon which Azaliah would eventually build her own path.
After his passing, she found herself standing on her own, navigating a world that was much larger than she had once understood. Her experiences away from Illinois gave her perspective, while returning home gave her the opportunity to see Springfield with new eyes.
Now a mother, wiser, more confident in her abilities and grounded in her faith, Azaliah returned with a renewed sense of purpose. Initially, she approached the community quietly and observantly. She listened. She watched. She learned. And she began to recognize that Springfield could benefit from young, passionate vessels of change, people willing to contribute while keeping community growth, empowerment, and collaboration at the forefront.
The question became simple: Where can I make an impact?
Through the encouragement and connections of remarkable community leaders, including the Black Chamber of Commerce and One In A Million, Inc, Azaliah was introduced to the Faith Coalition for the Common Good. She was immediately impressed by the coalition’s diverse membership and its shared commitment to peaceful empowerment, civic engagement and creating a better Springfield. The more she learned and became involved, the more she realized that the coalition was where she belonged.
Presently, as she engages in organizing in community and toward housing accountability, it seems like a perfect fit. Her tailored experiences allow collaboration toward educating initiatives such as the cities movement toward voting yes on the landlord registration, licensing and inspection referendum. For Azaliah, community involvement is not simply about being an observer. It is about organizing citizens, building safe communities with families, creating opportunities, and contributing to the kind of Springfield where people can not only survive but thrive.
Her return to Springfield is now more than a homecoming. It’s a calling. Moving to community means going from just accepting the way things are to building the community we want to see. Her ultimate goal is a collaborative and empowered city with fairness for even the left-behind citizens.
The city she once believed she felt would never change, was now a place she could help shape and perhaps, after all, a place she could call home.
Azaliah “Azzy” Davenport is a Faith Coalition for the Common Good community organizer. If you have any questions or want more information on how to get involved, email tyshianna@faithcoalition-il.org or visit https://faithcoalition-il.org/. If you are interested in joining the Springfield Safe Home campaign please contact safe homes at safehomes@faithcoalition-il.org.
This article appears in August 27-September 2, 2026.
