Cordy Tindell (C.T.) Vivian was born on July 30, 1924, in Booneville, Missouri, to Robert Cordie and Euzetta Tindell. In 1930, C.T., his mother, and grandmother migrated to Macomb, Illinois. He attended and graduated from Macomb schools in 1942, then attended Western Illinois University, where he was a sports editor and athlete. After graduation he moved to Peoria and worked at the Carver Center as a director. Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian later became an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement and a lieutenant of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.