the man considered to be the founder of the Robbins airport was John C. Robinson, who was Supreme Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force when Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935. The activities of these men and women have been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum. Education Posen-Robbins School District 143½ serves Robbins. Notable people Jan Bradley, soul singer ("Mama Didn't Lie"); grew up in Robbins Bessie Coleman, co-founder of the Robbins Airport with aviators John C. Robinson (aviator) and Cornelius Coffey, an operations center for black aviation S. B. Fuller, businessman (founded Fuller Products Company) and publisher (New York Age and Pittsburgh Courier) Thomas J. Kellar, founding mayor of Robbins James Loving, wide receiver for Philadelphia Eagles Joe Montgomery, running back with the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers; born in Robbins Nichelle Nichols, actress, known for playing Uhura in Star Trek; born Grace Nichols in Robbins Keke Palmer, actress, TV show host, singer, activist, fashion designer, known for movie Akeelah and the Bee; grew up in Robbins Jim Smith, wide receiver for Pittsburgh Steelers, two-time Super Bowl champion; grew up in Robbins Dwyane Wade, former NBA shooting guard, three-time NBA champion; grew up in Robbins References External links Village of Robbins official website Villages in Illinois Villages in Cook County, Illinois Chicago metropolitan area Populated places established in 1917 1917 establishments in Illinois Majority-minority cities and towns in Cook County, Illinois African-American cultural history