Black history. It is easy to give it a month of appreciation – and rightfully we should. And – not but – to me it is so much more: A lifetime of being shaped by the Black experience. I grew up in the deep south), I’ve lived for the last 20 years in Silver Spring, MD), and worked through the decades in disenfranchised communities throughout the US.
In 2013 I wrote a reflection on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famous “I have a dream” speech. (The original is archived in a Google Blogger posting). What follows is an update to that original posting.
I feel extremely blessed for having crossed paths with greatness through my years. While growing up in the Atlanta area, both personally and professionally, the happenstance incidents of intersecting with African-American heroes – and common folks – has shaped my life and core values in countless ways… (I thought I’d begin writing these down before I start forgetting them. I am sure that some of the stories are embellished with the inevitable influence of the passage of time. I hope I am doing them justice still.)
Most momentous among these experiences that shaped me was when, as a young architect (circa 1982), I was asked to do the architectural model for the concept of the African American Experience Museum. Dan Moore, the dreamer of the idea, worked with me to produce the concept: An interactive place where you would ‘feel’ the experience of ‘being there’ at some of history’s most precious moments during the Civil Rights era. The unveiling of the model brought together “Daddy” King, Coretta Scott King, MLK III, Andrew Young, Hank Aaron – and me. I was simply overwhelmed when asked to sign the same scroll that these giants signed… I’d like to think that the scroll is probably somewhere in the APEX museum today.
I had the honor of serving under Mayor Andrew Young as a housing and community development planner. His Chief of Staff at that time was Shirley Franklin, who went on to become Mayor herself. Mayor Young’s term followed the tenure of Atlanta’s first African-American Mayor, Maynard Jackson. (The Atlanta airport was eventually renamed ‘Hartsfield- Jackson’ in his honor.) One of my most memorable moments was being in the Mayor’s office discussing the housing issues in Atlanta. Shirley Franklin, ever the consummate strategists; Mayor Young, ever the consummate visionary; and Maynard Jackson (who came back for a third term after Young), ever the detailed expert. Indeed, it was so amazing to see Maynard Jackson bring his housing finance expertise (from his Chicago days) to specific issues. He knew more about the ‘fine art’ of housing finance than anyone else I’ve ever encountered in my lifetime of working in the field.
Before joining the City, I had the pleasure of interacting with then Atlanta Councilmember (before becoming Congressman) John Lewis as we worked with inner-city communities when I was with the Community Design Center of Atlanta… Let’s just say that his wisdom in ‘little things’ was simply prophetic even back then… His projection of love – yes love – in contentious community settings was such a refreshing approach to community building!
And then there was Hosea Williams. (For folks not from the ATL, let’s just say that Rev. Williams is a pillar of greatness when it comes to helping the poor – and a ruckus example of what an imperfect elected official can be.) Rev. Williams’ commitment to serving the poor is now famous, especially during the holiday season. But, back then, it was not pretty. Finding the right location to serve the ever increasing number of food insecure people; getting the permits in time when – let’s just say that – his ‘organizational’ skills were not the greatest… And then there were his personality traits that unfortunately got him into trouble… Oh, that special like for libations!… Yet: even with these personal challenges, his commitment to feeding the poor was contagious… We miss him dearly. But his spirit lives on.
As I ‘grew’ professionally, I had the opportunity to go through the Leadership Atlanta program. One of the most wrenching sessions that will forever stay with me was the session given by Civil Rights Great C.T. Vivian. He was simply mesmerizing. His ‘in-your-face’ approach to ‘speaking truth to power’ and ‘telling it like it is’ was so very powerful that it is a fundamental influence to my value system with regards to race to this day… I wonder if he could be that blunt in our hyper-sensitive politically correct world today… (I may have to ask his son, who is still doing work in the field…)
… But, it is not only the ‘famous’ African-Americans that have shaped my life’s value system. It is also the countless ‘average folks’ I’ve had the pleasure of crossing paths with over my lifetime… Some of these also merit a ‘shout out’: There’s Glen (I believe that’s his name): The only classmate that invited me to a ‘conversation’ when I arrived in Griffin, Georgia (30 miles south of Atlanta) in 1968, in the 7th grade. (Yep, THAT ’68!) I spoke no English. White students would have none of me. When I walked into the lunchroom, Glen – an African-American student – signaled for me to come over and sit with him. We had a great lunch and became good friends… But, it was not easy. After that lunch the Spanish teacher took me to the Principal to tell me that I could not sit with ‘those kinds’ during lunch… I did not understand why; he was my friend! The Principal explained to me why. If I wanted to survive in the school, I had to be a racist… Those were tough times.
We then moved on up to Hampton, Georgia, home of the famous Atlanta Raceway where the Allman Brothers had their largest open air concert – and home of Gladys Knights and the Pips. I would commute to Henry County High School, starting there soon after it integrated. (I will be going back down there this summer to celebrate our 50th high school reunion). There were racial walk-outs; fights; rumblings; and all of that stuff… No matter: In my senior year I decided to run for Vice-President with my African-American friend on the ticket as President… We ran under the slogan of “Vote for A Cuban and an African”… Then, when graduation time came, we had a party at my house – in ‘lilly-white Lake Talmadge’… Suffice it to say that having a house full of African-American friends in a white neighborhood back then was not exactly received well by the neighbors.
Stone Mountain, Georgia. Birth home of the KKK. The mountain that has enshrined the Confederate troika of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Stonewall Jackson. We ended up moving nearby (Tucker) and having many family gatherings there, watching the laser show highlight how the War of Northern Aggression was not about slavery, but about State rights. Yea, right… If there’s any doubt that God has a sense of humor, Stone Mountain Park today is one of the most popular sites for African-American family reunions.
So many experiences through the years!… Working with Joe Lewis and the community in Atlanta’s West End in the 70’s, meeting at the Shrine of the Black Madonna where I bought “Deep is the Hunger” by Howard Thurman; and working with Rudy Bryant from the Pratt Institute back in the 80’s to develop a national “Leadership Development Network”.
Then working at Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (now NeighborWorks America) from the early 90’s till 2009, most of that time led at the time by Ken Wade, a national leader in his own right. I learned so much providing technical assistance to the executive directors of the Miami and New Orleans Neighborhood Housing Service – both strong African-American women; working alongside Don Phoenix, past Executive Director of the Savannah NHS; doing organizational assessment from Joan Straussman; helping to get elected African-American councilmembers in areas as diverse as Green County, Mississippi and Oakland, California (Robert Jackson and Lynette Gibson McElhaney); and visiting the Delta (“David Duke” country) with Winnie Stoney at a time when a Latino and an African-American women being seen together was not exactly ok; and coordinating community leadership institutes with Tony Austin, Mark Robinson, James Johnson, David Hunt, Ronnie Galvin, J Otis, Folami, and Karima – and so many others.
I will be forever grateful to Ike Leggett for giving me the opportunity to join his team back in 2009 as the Silver Spring Regional Director in Montgomery County (MD). I am blessed to have been mentored by Ike and came to deeply appreciate his life’s journey. It was particularly heartwarming to share with him and his lovely wife, Catherine – and still stay connected with them to this day. While working with the Montgomery County community, I also met Jim Stowe, whose commitment to the cause is so real. I was also fortunate to learn from two great matriarchs, Charlotte Coffield and Pat Tyson of the Lyttonsville neighborhood.
All of this exposure to greatness has shaped my deep appreciation of the African-American experience, and my personal commitment to continue learning from that experience. So, as I contemplate the “I have a dream” speech during this 2024 Black History Month, my heart is filled with gratitude for all those famously great and not-so-famously great people that have taught me – that are teaching me – the values of perseverance, resilience, honor, respect, and yes: Love!… I look forward with great joy and expectations to the experiences ahead as we continue the journey.
Reemberto Rodriguez
February 8, 2024
A very personal deep appreciation of Black history
Reemberto Rodriguez (February 9, 2024)
Black history. It is easy to give it a month of appreciation – and rightfully we should. And – not but – to me it is so much more: A lifetime of being shaped by the Black experience. I grew up in the deep south), I’ve lived for the last 20 years in Silver Spring, MD), and worked through the decades in disenfranchised communities throughout the US.
In 2013 I wrote a reflection on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famous “I have a dream” speech. (The original is archived in a Google Blogger posting). What follows is an update to that original posting.
I feel extremely blessed for having crossed paths with greatness through my years. While growing up in the Atlanta area, both personally and professionally, the happenstance incidents of intersecting with African-American heroes – and common folks – has shaped my life and core values in countless ways… (I thought I’d begin writing these down before I start forgetting them. I am sure that some of the stories are embellished with the inevitable influence of the passage of time. I hope I am doing them justice still.)
Most momentous among these experiences that shaped me was when, as a young architect (circa 1982), I was asked to do the architectural model for the concept of the African American Experience Museum. Dan Moore, the dreamer of the idea, worked with me to produce the concept: An interactive place where you would ‘feel’ the experience of ‘being there’ at some of history’s most precious moments during the Civil Rights era. The unveiling of the model brought together “Daddy” King, Coretta Scott King, MLK III, Andrew Young, Hank Aaron – and me. I was simply overwhelmed when asked to sign the same scroll that these giants signed… I’d like to think that the scroll is probably somewhere in the APEX museum today.
I had the honor of serving under Mayor Andrew Young as a housing and community development planner. His Chief of Staff at that time was Shirley Franklin, who went on to become Mayor herself. Mayor Young’s term followed the tenure of Atlanta’s first African-American Mayor, Maynard Jackson. (The Atlanta airport was eventually renamed ‘Hartsfield- Jackson’ in his honor.) One of my most memorable moments was being in the Mayor’s office discussing the housing issues in Atlanta. Shirley Franklin, ever the consummate strategists; Mayor Young, ever the consummate visionary; and Maynard Jackson (who came back for a third term after Young), ever the detailed expert. Indeed, it was so amazing to see Maynard Jackson bring his housing finance expertise (from his Chicago days) to specific issues. He knew more about the ‘fine art’ of housing finance than anyone else I’ve ever encountered in my lifetime of working in the field.
Before joining the City, I had the pleasure of interacting with then Atlanta Councilmember (before becoming Congressman) John Lewis as we worked with inner-city communities when I was with the Community Design Center of Atlanta… Let’s just say that his wisdom in ‘little things’ was simply prophetic even back then… His projection of love – yes love – in contentious community settings was such a refreshing approach to community building!
And then there was Hosea Williams. (For folks not from the ATL, let’s just say that Rev. Williams is a pillar of greatness when it comes to helping the poor – and a ruckus example of what an imperfect elected official can be.) Rev. Williams’ commitment to serving the poor is now famous, especially during the holiday season. But, back then, it was not pretty. Finding the right location to serve the ever increasing number of food insecure people; getting the permits in time when – let’s just say that – his ‘organizational’ skills were not the greatest… And then there were his personality traits that unfortunately got him into trouble… Oh, that special like for libations!… Yet: even with these personal challenges, his commitment to feeding the poor was contagious… We miss him dearly. But his spirit lives on.
As I ‘grew’ professionally, I had the opportunity to go through the Leadership Atlanta program. One of the most wrenching sessions that will forever stay with me was the session given by Civil Rights Great C.T. Vivian. He was simply mesmerizing. His ‘in-your-face’ approach to ‘speaking truth to power’ and ‘telling it like it is’ was so very powerful that it is a fundamental influence to my value system with regards to race to this day… I wonder if he could be that blunt in our hyper-sensitive politically correct world today… (I may have to ask his son, who is still doing work in the field…)
… But, it is not only the ‘famous’ African-Americans that have shaped my life’s value system. It is also the countless ‘average folks’ I’ve had the pleasure of crossing paths with over my lifetime… Some of these also merit a ‘shout out’: There’s Glen (I believe that’s his name): The only classmate that invited me to a ‘conversation’ when I arrived in Griffin, Georgia (30 miles south of Atlanta) in 1968, in the 7th grade. (Yep, THAT ’68!) I spoke no English. White students would have none of me. When I walked into the lunchroom, Glen – an African-American student – signaled for me to come over and sit with him. We had a great lunch and became good friends… But, it was not easy. After that lunch the Spanish teacher took me to the Principal to tell me that I could not sit with ‘those kinds’ during lunch… I did not understand why; he was my friend! The Principal explained to me why. If I wanted to survive in the school, I had to be a racist… Those were tough times.
We then moved on up to Hampton, Georgia, home of the famous Atlanta Raceway where the Allman Brothers had their largest open air concert – and home of Gladys Knights and the Pips. I would commute to Henry County High School, starting there soon after it integrated. (I will be going back down there this summer to celebrate our 50th high school reunion). There were racial walk-outs; fights; rumblings; and all of that stuff… No matter: In my senior year I decided to run for Vice-President with my African-American friend on the ticket as President… We ran under the slogan of “Vote for A Cuban and an African”… Then, when graduation time came, we had a party at my house – in ‘lilly-white Lake Talmadge’… Suffice it to say that having a house full of African-American friends in a white neighborhood back then was not exactly received well by the neighbors.
Stone Mountain, Georgia. Birth home of the KKK. The mountain that has enshrined the Confederate troika of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Stonewall Jackson. We ended up moving nearby (Tucker) and having many family gatherings there, watching the laser show highlight how the War of Northern Aggression was not about slavery, but about State rights. Yea, right… If there’s any doubt that God has a sense of humor, Stone Mountain Park today is one of the most popular sites for African-American family reunions.
So many experiences through the years!… Working with Joe Lewis and the community in Atlanta’s West End in the 70’s, meeting at the Shrine of the Black Madonna where I bought “Deep is the Hunger” by Howard Thurman; and working with Rudy Bryant from the Pratt Institute back in the 80’s to develop a national “Leadership Development Network”.
Then working at Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (now NeighborWorks America) from the early 90’s till 2009, most of that time led at the time by Ken Wade, a national leader in his own right. I learned so much providing technical assistance to the executive directors of the Miami and New Orleans Neighborhood Housing Service – both strong African-American women; working alongside Don Phoenix, past Executive Director of the Savannah NHS; doing organizational assessment from Joan Straussman; helping to get elected African-American councilmembers in areas as diverse as Green County, Mississippi and Oakland, California (Robert Jackson and Lynette Gibson McElhaney); and visiting the Delta (“David Duke” country) with Winnie Stoney at a time when a Latino and an African-American women being seen together was not exactly ok; and coordinating community leadership institutes with Tony Austin, Mark Robinson, James Johnson, David Hunt, Ronnie Galvin, J Otis, Folami, and Karima – and so many others.
I will be forever grateful to Ike Leggett for giving me the opportunity to join his team back in 2009 as the Silver Spring Regional Director in Montgomery County (MD). I am blessed to have been mentored by Ike and came to deeply appreciate his life’s journey. It was particularly heartwarming to share with him and his lovely wife, Catherine – and still stay connected with them to this day. While working with the Montgomery County community, I also met Jim Stowe, whose commitment to the cause is so real. I was also fortunate to learn from two great matriarchs, Charlotte Coffield and Pat Tyson of the Lyttonsville neighborhood.
All of this exposure to greatness has shaped my deep appreciation of the African-American experience, and my personal commitment to continue learning from that experience. So, as I contemplate the “I have a dream” speech during this 2024 Black History Month, my heart is filled with gratitude for all those famously great and not-so-famously great people that have taught me – that are teaching me – the values of perseverance, resilience, honor, respect, and yes: Love!… I look forward with great joy and expectations to the experiences ahead as we continue the journey.
Reemberto Rodriguez
February 8, 2024