From www.learnnc.org:

In July of 1940, Levi Simmons, an African American student of the Menchew 4-H Club of Wilson County, was awarded the 4-H Club scholarship to North Carolina A&T. This black and white photograph shows Simmons standing in front of an acre of ripe corn, one of seven projects conducted that year. In the photograph, he is standing with his left hand on a cornstalk, which towers over him. His right hand holds a thick manila envelope.

Green ‘N’ Growing Collection (The History of Home Demonstration and 4-H Youth Development in North Carolina), Special Collections, North Carolina State University Libraries.

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In the 1940 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Junius Simmons, 44, wife Clara, 39, and their children Levi, 21, Joseph, 20, Frank, 15, Julia, 10, Edward, 9, Lettie, 5, and Thomas, 1. Though this census records the birthplaces of all the Simmonses as North Carolina, the 1930 census lists South Carolina for the parents and older children, including Levi. Junius’ death certificate lists Clarendon County, South Carolina, as his birthplace.

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