Reber Simpkins Cann

Reber Simpkins Cann (July 26, 1903 – February 5, 1985) was an American educator, social worker and community activist.

Early life and education Reber Simpkins was born in Woodsworth, Louisiana in Rapides Parish. Her mother was Bijou Turner and her father was Reverend James A. Simpkins. Her two younger siblings were Ruth Simpkins and William T. Simpkins.

Simpkins completed her primary and secondary education in Shreveport, Louisiana. She graduated from Central High School, and went on to study at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. After one year, Simpkins transferred to Wilberforce University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree. She later pursued additional study at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. She later worked as a social worker at the Transient Service Bureau, a program whose aim was to provide relief for unemployed residents. After fourteen years of service she became a supervisor in the Welfare Department.

Simpkins Cann provided numerous detailed minutes, agendas, reports and correspondence through her service on an array of social justice organizations. Simpkins Cann participated in initiatives to improve employment opportunities, access and quality of life for black communities in Cincinnati, Ohio and on a national level. Her advocacy efforts included participation in the NAACP, the National Urban League, the National Council of Negro Women, the Council of Social Agencies, the Cincinnati Council on World Affairs and the Cincinnati Department of Urban Development, among others. Community-led initiatives by these organizations used reports and assessments in order to document the gaps in accessibility to healthcare and recreational services for children and families; took inventories of community services and needs; and created involvement in community planning to keep track of the allocation of resources. The Reber Simpkins Cann papers contain these documents and are held at the Amistad Research Center.

Personal life and legacy Reber Simpkins met Braxton Cann at Wilberforce University, where they were both enrolled. They married on July 9, 1924, and had five children, four daughters and one son: Reber Consuelo Williams, Gwen Cann, Johnnie Mae Durant, Ruth S. Hicks and Braxton Francourt Cann Jr. Reber Simpkins Cann died on February 5, 1985, in Cincinnati, Ohio.