The village was incorporated in 1917 as a haven for African-Americans fleeing oppression in the South. On a recent weekday afternoon, the men getting a shave or haircut talked about days decades ago when Robbins was self-sufficient with its own pharmacy, grocery store and thriving businesses. They ticked off some of their famous former residents: basketball player Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, actor "Mr. T," actress Nichelle Nichols, Uhura on the original "Star Trek."