June's Room

Home to me has always been a place where you can come back to when the world is unfair. A place to regroup and prepare for more of life’s challenges. A safe space. A space to create and bring dreams to fruition. It was where my family intended for future generations to learn, laugh, grow, and gain a sense of dignity or pride in who we are. -- Vincent "June" Chappelle II

The "June's Room" exhibit at the Illinois State Museum.

Welcome to "June's Room"! This exhibit recreates Vincent “June” Chappelle’s bedroom on the South Side of Chicago as it appeared when he was a child and teenager between 2002-2009. In his own words, June describes his room and what it meant to him.

Hey, y’all. My name is Vincent Chappelle, but I go by June. This space represents my bedroom on the South Side of Chicago when I was a child and teenager. I lived with my maternal grandparents, who I called Mama and Daddy because they adopted me as a baby, as well as several siblings and cousins. There were never less than 10-12 of us in the house at any one time.

My childhood and teen years had so many highs and lows. They were both beautiful and difficult. I battled depression, and no one around really understood me. For the most part, I was an alternative queer Black kid with big dreams who was mostly a loner, outside of a few friends. Not because I wanted to be but so I could survive and think for myself.

My room was my sanctuary. Being adopted as well as queer, I didn’t always feel like I fit in with my family. In my room, I created my own world with my imagination. I would dance, sing, write short stories, sketch, paint, and read. I felt most happy when I was in my space: safe and stress-free.