"something tells me being a black Jew in Southern Illinois is not going to be the most pleasant or easy experience."

I can tell you that growing up as a white Jew in Central Illinois was no picnic either. 

I was raised by parents who taught me that once someone converted, we were not to question their motives.  I was raised in a traditional shul headed by an orthodox rabbi that refused to do any conversions.  As such, I'm always surprised whenever I meet a convert.  Conversion is just not on my radar screen.  Can't really imagine why anybody would want to do that.  Everyone gets to go to heaven, so why give up Big Macs in the process?  Nevertheless, my grad school roomate grew up Protestant, converted to Judaism in high school, now wears peyes and has at least 6 kids these days.  So what the hell do I know about it?  If converting gives them a level of comfort they didn't have before, G-d bless them and keep them safe.