Social Media Edition III 2014

The Mandela Martin Impact: Reflections on Life, Loss & LegacyCheryl Patterson and Universal Xperience present

Mayor Mike Duggan on Nelson Mandela

Henson

A Conversation with Dr. King

We are pleased tob e w o r k i n g w i t h I m p a c t D e t r o i t M a g a z i n e a n d Universal Xperience to bring our line of h e a d w e a r t o t h e Detroit area. Detroit is an iconic hat hot s p o t t h a t h a s always represented work ing hard and looking good, and that is exactly what

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Cedric “The Entertainer”!Founder

Gary “GD” Garner!Co-Founder!

We are pleased to b e w o r k i n g w i t hI m p a c t D e t r o i tM a g a z i n e a n dUniversal Xperience to bring our line of h e a d w e a r t o t h eDetroit area. Detroit is an iconic hat hot s p o t t h a t h a salways representedwork ing hard andlooking good, andthat is exactly what

is all about.

Cedric “The Entertainer”!Founder

Gary “GD” Garner!Co-Founder!

silos around our experiences and narratives and not see another’s perspective but as Dr. King stated “what are you doing for others” becomes the bridge to equality verses the silo of isolation. Bridges are strong because of the heterogeneous construction and tapestry of experiences needed to build and main-tain them. This becomes the perfect metaphor for our communities. Our country is stronger because of the pursuit of equality; not the protection of oppression and discrimination. We as a people will be judged by the way we treat our most vulnerable populations as Nelson Mandela said so passionately, “there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in

which it treats its children”. We are still trying to en-sure equality is extended to all children of our nation. For equality doesn’t have an asterisk and it should nev-er be regulated to the few and powerful. The courage of forgiveness has left an impact on how one transcends

As we reflect on the legacy of Martin Lu-ther King Jr. and mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela it is essential to remember how their lives not only affected those that knew them intimate-ly but on the people their legacy touched through their works. Perhaps what is so striking of a con-trast in each of their lives is the loss of time with a life cut short in Dr. King’s legacy and the ability to see the full life’s impact with President Mande-la. Imagine if Dr. King was able to live out his life; the realities of his dream beginning to be achieved and the other battles he would have fought for all people as he did with the unions. As we mourn the loss of Nelson Mandela we see the compassion, for-giveness and humanity he extended to all people and the moral compass he gave us to follow from South Africa to the Middle East and here at home in America. Mandela had the courage of a lion and the heart of a lamb and the wisdom and com-passion to heal the hearts of all men and women.

I learned throughout life that the goal of equality begins with the understanding of other’s narra-tives and the ability to employ empathy and com-passion where there was a void in understanding of each person experiences. We can easily build

obvious pain and oppression. Every year I volunteer to teach black history at a predominately black nursing home that is the residence of very remarkable people that experienced firsthand the sting of racism and oppression. Yet the elders that I have encountered demonstrate such grace, dignity and humanity that it humbles me to be in their presence. Like Nelson Mandela they have transcended their experiences with racism and its pain to give to others their humanity. They are valued and loved; not for what they have experienced and sacrificed, but for the signifi-cance of these experiences and how they transcended from the hurt of oppression and extended the compassion to all people that they met. I went to teach the importance of social justice and I was transformed to see the effects of compassion when social justice was illusive. The resilience that we have as humans only needs an act of kindness to grow into compassion for others. They are the vanguards of social justice in their ability to forgive those who tres-passed against them and judged them on their skin color and not the content of their character. They truly taught me the dream of Dr. King and the compassion of Nelson Mandela. As a professor I must follow Dr. King’s lead and ensure my students “that the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.” This lesson was taught to me by Charles Lewis a Detroit teacher and coach who embodied equality and practiced it with all his students and in turn drives my passion for equality today preserving my ability to push the “Dream” and follow the lion’s way.

Langston University-Tulsa918-260-7898

When I reflect on the legacy and life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the one thought that comes to mind is, “There’s more work to be done.” Dr. King dedicated his life to service and advancing the civil rights of African Americans. If we could all muster just an ounce of the commitment to service as Dr. King, and if we collectively displayed the courage he did in the face of unimaginable consequences, then we will be well on our way to realizing the dream he spoke so eloquently about, while helping to make our world a bet-ter place for the children coming behind us.

Not only does the spirit and intent of Dr. King continue to persist and have a major influ-ence, the connection that Dr. King had with my family also resonates very strongly with me. I am both grateful and honored by the fact that my grandfather, Horace Sheffield, Jr., was privileged to have worked with Dr. King to ensure that this country finally respect-ed and recognized the civil rights of African Americans.

My father, the Rev. Horace Sheffield, III has continued that work in his over 30 years as a spiritual and civic leader in Detroit, and he is still working on the front lines for social and economic justice for all of our working fami-lies. As a newly-elected council member and leader of our community, I both revere and re-spect this historical legacy. I feel compelled to continue the mantle of leadership by being an agent of change in returning our city to a place

of national prominence and relevance. The loss of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King should force us to look closer at ourselves, as a society, and commit to the level of service in some aspect of our lives to finish the work that needs to be done. The next generation must carry on Dr. King’s legacy of fighting for equality, freedom and racial justice.

CouncilMemberSheffield@detroitmi.gov

313.224.4505

www.theblackgospelblog.com(773) 576-2378

I was blessed to hear President Nel-son Mandela speak at a university au-ditorium in Durban, South Africa. It was the summer of 1996, and my wife and I were attending the presenta-tion in the company of three friends. Two had left Durban a decade ear-lier in the wake of apartheid. They had since settled in Western Austra-lia but were visiting Durban on hol-iday. The third friend was a young woman who lived with her tod-dler in a squatters’ camp alongside the highway, not far from the city.

What was as awe-inspiring as Man-dela’s presentation, which focused on the need for national reconciliation, was the reaction of the people to his arrival. While waiting for the pre-sentation to begin, the general pub-lic broke out in spontaneous song.

Waves of harmonies floated above the assembly, and then a man dressed as a warrior mounted the platform, pro-claiming the leader’s greatness in Man-dela’s native Xhosa language. People shouted, their faces lit with joy and pride. It was as if Moses himself was about to arrive. Mandela did not have to say a word: it was clear from the audience’s response that he was their leader. He was the people’s leader.

In the spirit of Nelson Mande-la and Rev. Martin Luther King, I decided to write a tribute to three men who exhibited the caring spir-it of both of these historical figures.As a teenager, I began to wonder if the other half of me ever existed. Now I know that may sound bio-logically impossible, but the more and more I began to remember my childhood, the biologically impos-sible began to sound like the pos-sible. There were many questions that have went through my mind such as, how can a man partici-pate in the “making” of a child, but then abandon what is considered God’s greatest gift – procreation of what is supposed to be the leaders and backbone of our communities -THE BLACK MALE?

I grew up with a very caring moth-er, two brothers and a beautiful sister who “co-mothered” me. My mother always made sure that we were provided for, never ever felt endangered or wanted for any-thing, and attended the finest schools from grade K to college. Even with the amount of social, fi-nancial, and academic security my mom provided for me, there was always something missing, some-thing that no Atari system (yeah I’m over 40, and loved the game Centipede), countless trips to Mc-Donald’s, trips to Cedar Point,

trips to Northland Mall (Detroit area) with my mother’s Hudson’s department store credit card . . . I still had the one thing miss-ing that 70 % of the young black males I come in contact with ev-eryday are missing, A FATHER. I can remember catching the Dex-ter Avenue bus to school as a sev-enth grader, attending Presenta-tion Our Lady of Victory Catholic School each and every morning at 6:45am. When I would leave out the house, I would see three exam-ples of fathers next door to the left, to the right and across the street.

MR. MANUS MY FATHER NEXT DOOR TO THE LEFT

In the spirit of Mandela, allow me to introduce, Mr. Manus my father next door to the left. Mr. Manus was a very patient and calm man. He was a father and had a son whom he spent a lot of time with. I would witness them talking and interact-ing with each other in the backyard. For some reason I would come in my backyard just to “fantasize” about what it would be like to have a father and I would experience this somewhat, just by watching Mr. Manus my father next door to the left, laugh and play with his son. They had three hunting dogs who were enclosed in separate cages, and Mr. Manus my father next door to the left would always be in his garage working on something with his son by his side. We had a basketball rim in our backyard and I would go and shoot baskets and practice (which was my front, so that Mr. Manus would not think I was crazy) just so I could indirectly be a part of their

father-son relationship. Lol, that is probably the reason that I became skilled enough to make All-Cath-olic, and All-State in high school while earning a college basketball scholarship which led to a Bache-lor and Master level college degrees. One of the greatest “tragedies” that I experienced in my life is when Mr. Manus put up a 7 foot fence across the standard wire fence that allowed me to marvel at the father-son inter-action that I had grown accustomed to fantasizing about. I will never forget the day that I ran through the

house out the back door and there it was - the fence that broke my spirit and heart that day. Basketball all of a sudden was not important to me.

I WANTED my fantasy of being the son whose father wanted to talk

with him about his school day, issues he had with his friends, talk about girls, and learn how to fix whatev-er it is they were fixing. The new fence did not allow me to see that far into their garage, but I would hear their laughter which would make me laugh too. I wanted IN. I wanted to be in that garage. Well, I had to man up and face the fact that my fantasy with Mr. Manus, my fa-ther next door to the left was OVER.MR. BROWN MY FATHER NEXT DOOR TO THE RIGHT

Mr. Brown had a very gentle spirit. He had a Martin Luther King spir-it. He was an older man with a very gentle spirit. He would always speak to me in a tone of voice that I was not used to. His wife rarely would come outside and I would wonder if she truly existed. One day, I saw her and she spoke to me very sternly. It was the complete opposite of her husband, Mr. Brown. One day it oc-curred to me that the reason why my father next door to the right, Mr. Brown, spoke gently to me. It was not because he was “soft” but because he had a heart of gold. He would always come and cut our lawn after he cut his. I used to say to myself, “he just wants something or maybe he likes my mom.” But, Mr. Brown never alluded to this. He was the first person that I ever met who was nice to people “just because.” Then it all made sense when I sat down with my father next door to the right - Mr. Brown. He began to talk about God. He was so pas-sionate about Church. At the time I did not understand Mr. Brown’s acts of kindness. As I look back now, I was in the presence of a true man of

God. Many of the men I come into contact with at my place of worship, display the type of character that my father next door to the right - Mr. Brown had. My experience with him taught me how to stay humble. Through these interactions, I began to develop a passion for wanting to help young males decrease and elim-inate this empty fatherless feeling.

MR LITTLEJOHN MY FATHER ACROSS THE STREET

He would take me to school each morning and would “preach” to me about how to be a good citizen. Mr. Littlejohn was always interested in the well-being of young people. It was almost like he was a civil rights

activist who happen to coach bas-ketball. Because of these attributes, Martin Luther King came to mind. His son Lonnie was my best friend and he was my first true basketball coach. Until this day, I have never had a combination of coach/men-tor that has had the impact on me as Mr. Littlejohn my father across the street has had on my life. He was a former college athlete, father, coach, and mentor to many of the young men who aspired to one day walk on a college campus. Mr. Lit-tlejohn my father across the street made me understand that it was ok to want something better out of life. He made me understand that study-ing afterschool was ok. He made me realize that managing your time of play and study was the right thing to do which has led me to understand-ing time management this very day. Mr. Littlejohn my father across the

street convinced my mother to al-low me to go to the same catholic school as his son (my friend). Every day he would take me, his son and daughter to school. I remember ev-ery time he’d drop us off, he would kiss both his son and daughter and tell them he loved them. For some reason I was hoping that Mr. Lit-tlejohn my father across the street would say the same things to me, but I knew that was a longshot. But each morning I would always want to experience the feelings created from those words. I wanted to know how his daughter and son felt. You could see on their faces they delight-ed in hearing their father tell them that he loved them. I had never wit-nessed a man saying I love you to a

child. This changed me forever.Having these three father figures in my life did not totally take away the pain of growing up and

never meeting my father. But, it did allow me to see three different role models. Three different father fig-ures. They were similar in so many ways, like standing-up for their fam-ilies and taking care of their fam-ilies. I thank God for giving me a trilogy of positive men in my life. It is for this reason that I pledged to offer any wisdom, or resources that I am blessed with to help oth-er young Black men. When we talk about the Mandela-Martin spirit, Mr. Littlejohn, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Manus were note-worthy examples.

www.buildingbettermen.org

Covering a news story recently on the crude, rude, disrespectful and disheartening images of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ad-vertising blinged-out teen par-ties on fliers that invaded social media and the Internet, I ques-tioned his relevancy to this new generation. For, if young people truly understood the countless sacrifices of this man, and also Nelson Mandela, fighting for them to have a better life, there would have been outrage instead of applause. I paused and pon-dered at which point in the gen-erational changing of the baton, did someone drop it completely. It angered me and, at the same time, fueled me to do more. It was then I became even more re-solved to use each moment possi-ble as a teachable one to my chil-dren, on the life, loss and legacy of King and Mandela. I realized I have to not only be the change I want to see but also encourage the same kind of change in the ones for whom I am responsi-ble. That responsibility does not stop with the children I bore.

I was reminded of King’s life and legacy again more recently on a visit to the Columbia Metro-politan Convention Center. As I gazed upon the pageant gown worn by Columbia, South Caro-lina, native, Kimberly Aiken, the night she won the title of Miss South Carolina, 1994, becom-ing the first African-American woman to do so, I was reminded

of the smaller, yet similarly signifi-cant, pageant crown I won in 1991 in my humble Georgia hometown. I was the second black woman to earn the title, Miss Dairy Festival. The first black woman preceded me in 1990. Our accomplishments would not have been possible if it were not for Dr. King. Every step of every march he led cleared a path for me to walk on that stage that night, and defy all odds. That victory propelled me for others that would come, providing count-less opportunities for me to im-pact change. The win validated my worth as a brown woman of col-or, nappy hair and all. It said my talent, poise, intellect and beauty

were, and are, forces with which to be reckoned. I still remember the parade float the following week. I was seated in the highest chair, with my court of young white ladies seat-ed at my feet. That was a moment of success and empowerment I must carry, embody and share, in every area of my life. Others need to know they, too, are worthy, regardless is they are ever awarded a crown. By the way, there has not been an Af-rican American queen in my home-town pageant since 1991. Thus, like the preserving the legacy of Dr. King, there is still much work to be done.

Alone and afraid she sat there shaking in her seatwondering if this dream that Dr. King spoke of would ever become reality. She was removed from her school a place of familiarity, a place that provided, friends, nurturance and safety. Moved to another school where she was often treated unfairly caused her to question if there’d ever be a time when everyone was treated equal-ly. She saw how they looked at her and knew she was not their favorite. They made her feel so low and often called her illiterate. To prove them wrong is what she strove for To look at her now, you’d never know all she had to endure.

The life and legacy of Dr. King and President Man-dela showcases how ordinary individuals can step up to the plate to make monumental change. The name Marion Louise (Beard) Gibson may be unfamiliar to most. Marion was born on August 24, 1953, in small town just outside of Little Rock Arkansas, named Mal-vern. Marion Gibson, isn’t a name that‘s commonly associated with the civil rights movement, but just like many African Americans during that time, Marion, an ordinary individual played a significant role that yielded extraordinary advantages for the whole hu-man race. Marion didn’t become famous like the Little Rock Nine. Yet, she was a part of the firsts in her town to help to desegregate the Malvern, Arkansas Public School System.

Today, Marion uses her experiences and the teachings of Dr. King and President Nelson Mandela as a catalyst to inspire change. She volunteers her time as a board member for Central Kentucky Council for Peace and Justice. Marion also advocates, as a Co-Chair for Race, Community and Child Welfare, to build com-munity awareness, desire, and capacity to address and rectify the disproportionate number of and disparate outcomes for African-American youth who enter, re-side and exit out-of-home care (OOHC). It’s Mari-on’s desire that no child would be left alone and afraid.

Marion is an inspiration to many because her life is a testament as to how ordinary people can make monu-mental steps that prompt change. Marion’s journey is also an inspiration because it reminds us that we all have a role to play when it comes to ensuring equality, peace and justice throughout. Often times these op-portunities don’t come with recognition or fame. How-ever, we must choose between being and observer or active participant in ensuring that the world is a much better, safer place because we are in it.

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Savvysisterspray@gmail.com

by Carla Jordan

The life of Dr. Martin Luther King helped shape my beliefs of who I am as a Black male.

Born during the civil rights movement, I became familiar with Dr. King as a child and began to identify with the civil rights movement prior to his assassination, when I was 8 years old. Those years were essential to my childhood development as those are the years when personal interests began to form as children processes their experiences. It was the era of “Black Pride.” During that period I transitioned from being a little colored boy to a young Black man.

Suddenly on April 4, 1968, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King made time stood still. As an 8 year old, to witness your elders and the entire household hover around a black and white television set in mourning suggested that all hopes of living a good life as a Black person was lost.

The remaining two years in Toledo, OH, were turbulent times. The Dorr Street area was once a place where Blacks migrated and established a since of community. The neighborhood was a bustling metropolis filled with black-owned shops, restaurants and nightspots. My pride in being Black continued to develop in that community until it was shaken once again when I witnessed a shootout between the City of Toledo’s Police Department and The Black Panther Party in their headquarters located in the 1300 block of Dorr St.

I still recall a woman saying “They” are going to kill us all. To a 10 year old the “They” were the ones witnessed doing the shooting. In my case, that was the Toledo Police Department. That was the beginning of the decline of the Dorr St. Black community. The community’s ability to self-sustain itself gradually withered away. It has never been the same.

Although as a child of 10, it appeared hopeless to me when I observed my environment after the riots. Yet little did I know, I was the Hope, the Legacy of the King’s Dream. Not that we have achieved but in that I could and was responsible to carry on that Dream. My current government position, the Talk Show and my book are indicators of that effort.

Prior to Dr. King, it could not have been perceived that I would have ended up in a position of nationa and to some degree, universal influence. Dr. King’s legacy embodied exercising great faith and acting in a way of challenging God to prove His Word. I will be eternally grateful for his example, as I will continue to try and do the same.

Thank you to Cheryl Patterson and Impact Detroit Magazine for the rare and unique opportunity to participate in such a project. My prayer is that not only adults glean from the various writings, but our young generation gravitate to learning these recordings of that pivotal point in our nation’s history and understand why Dr. King did what he did.

www.ATFEKZ.comwww.artistfirst.com/Zimmerman.htm

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as Pres-ident Nelson Mandela, left an amazing legacy for future generations. I personally was influenced by the strength and perseverance of these amazing gen-tlemen. However, I am extremely disappointed in the fact that we as a people seem to have forgotten their sacrifice. Our young people of today have no idea how many opportunities are available to them because of these great leaders and many others’ sac-rifice. Their tremendous adversities allow us to be affluent in many areas in today’s society. What will we do as a people to change their mindset and create a culture that is conducive to a more compassionate and humble people?

As a retired Army Veteran of more than twenty-eight and half years, I had to deal with racism as well. It made me work harder and to do my tasks with more precision. This attention to detail allows me today to continue to serve our troops in a civilian capac-ity. What is even more rewarding, because of the support I provided my wife and others while battling

Breast Cancer, I’m now a Chief Executive Officer for a Breast Cancer non-profit. I always wanted to be a CEO, but I would never be in this position if it had not been for the heroic efforts of great men, such as Dr. King and President Mandela. We owe it to our future generations to continue to celebrate the ac-complishments of these amazing gentlemen and it would be a disservice to ever damage the legacy that was afforded us. We should strive each and every to be the very best we can be. Let me leave you with this profound statement, “If it’s to BE, it’s up to ME!”

Thank you to Impact Magazine for the opportunity to participate in this most important platform.

www.fwsbcsinc.com.

As I reflect on two of the greatest servant leaders that have changed our world for the better, I am humbled by their many contributions to human-ity. They both taught tolerance, forgiveness, ser-vice, courage and the power of peace.These amazing men, Mandela and King made sac-rifices for equality that we benefit from today, but we must also be reminded that we can’t reverse the movement they started. It takes courage to choose nonviolence and accomplish so much with peace. We need to implement the same values today. Peace is a position of power.

In my life, I give honor to God for creating these two role models that changed my life and most of all paved a way for my children and generations to come, to have more opportunities in this world.

I was born to a mother that didn’t want me because of my race. She gave me up for adoption. Being in the foster care system wasn’t easy, but I eventually got ad-opted by a family who celebrated love, peace and taught me about Martin Luther King, Jr. The first picture I saw when leaving the social worker and moving into a home, was MLK. I was told so many stories of peace, sacrifice and love. Through my life, I have learned that struggle brings strength. I am honored to rise above my conditions daily where I work, in an industry that is white male dominated and very few women of color. I started off as a receptionist. I am now a Senior Director of Investments. I know we must lift as we climb and mentor others along the way. My mottos is “success benefits others first.”

Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela may have passed on but each of us are obligated to allow their light to shine in us so we can make way for others.

http://fa.opco.com/gailperrymason

Reflections of Dr. Maurice A. Lee Orangeburg, South Carolina

Although there are mixed opinions about Black History Month and how the contributions of our ancestors have been reduced to just one month and the shortest month on the calendar to be exact, we need to continue being active with keeping the knowledge of Black history celebrated. It represents the past, present and future of the African American Culture. It's a reminder of all the positive and innovative things that have come from our culture and how it made a huge impact on future generations. Black History Month is an inviting time for everyone to experience culture and the roots of many things that have evolved from African American decent. It's also a time to inform people who may not be exposed to African American History the rest of the year. One cannot truly understand America without understanding the historical experience of Black people in this nation.

But as we seize this opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the past that helped to propel us to this present day, we can't be oblivious to the current state of our community. So, I say to you my brothers and my sisters, our job is not done yet. All of our history has not yet been written. Every day that we are blessed to breathe the breath of life, we should go out into the world with the mindset of wanting to make an indelible mark in society. Create a cure for cancer, be the next President of the United States, it is time to move forward and upward for greatness. Be the CEO of you. Who is your Chief Executive Officer? Who is making the decisions for you? Who is your CEO or is someone running your company? I always say program your mind or your mind will be programmed for you.

You see there are greater oppositions we are faced with in today's time. No longer do we rely on parents and teachers and other figures of the community to guide our youth to greatness, but we have left the tutorial tools to the ultimate device of our demise which is the Internet and the visual aid that propagates so much negativity known as the TV. We have become so tuned in to the Atlanta Housewives to celebrate sisters fighting against each other and putting each other down to Love and Hip Hop where there appears to be no Love and things really are not that Hip, but we love seeing someone Hop over a table just to beat someone down. The March on Washington led by Dr. King was not created for us to be fighting one another but to create unity amongst us so that we could stand together to fight for equality and justice.

If we continue to be persistent about protecting the contributions of our ancestors and our community, we can resist the negativity that has been created to destroy our present being and potentially our future. I ask, what are you willing to contribute?

mauricealee.net

As a young girl age 5 in 1960, my family moved from Detroit, my birthplace, to Lorain, Ohio. At that time, Lorain was still quite rural in many ar-eas. New residents were pouring in though, just as my family did. New home construction and housing developments were springing up in an accelerated fashion, creating much diversity, via the inhabitants. My father moved us into a home, lease or rental I assume, while our home was being built. I still remember names of my childhood friends. My first experience that mir-rored the reality of racism was a trip to the grocery store with my mother. I remember getting glares from white shoppers that felt as if they were spewing hatred towards me and looking through me as well. Finally as my mom and I walked towards a checkout lane, a young white girl who was with a white lady, maybe her mother, yelled out as she pointed in my direction, “Look momma, there’s a nigger”! I can still hear it ringing in my ears.

My school and classrooms were integrated, but we as African Americans were definitely treated differently. I remember having a crush on a white boy classmate of mine. He was in my kindergarten and first grade class. He never paid me much kind attention, though I tried very hard to get it. Instead, he cut my bangs with scissors from his desk during nap time one day. Needless to say my focus was no longer on him or try-ing to get my white classmates to like me. We played separately on the playground, and that was just fine to me!

The teachers never told us anything that I can remember about any African American heroes or lead-ers, and especially not Dr. King, as he was so prevalent in the Civil Rights Movement at the time. I remember watching him on television whenever he made news. I was intrigued by his message of peace and fascina-tion with Mahatma Gandhi. I felt that he was fight-ing especially for me, and that made me feel so proud.

Watching Dr. King was an integral part of building patience into my own being, as well as the strength to endure the racism that I would surely encounter over the years. For all of the unfair treatment and racially based experiences that I had to face in life, thinking about his experiences made me feel as though it was my responsibility to be strong and hold my head up high, no matter what stumbling block was thrown my way, and my par-ents reinforced that.

One day in Lorain, we finally had our new home that no one lived in before us, and I was enrolled into another nearby in-tegrated school. Dr. King’s cousins lived on the corner of our street, and their daughter, June, was my best friend for a time while we lived there. That made me feel even closer to the movement and the man. On the block, I felt protected and at peace. However, at school, even as a young girl, it was again so easy to discern the preferential treatment given to my white counterparts. It hurt my heart even then. As I think about it I can still feel that pain of the little girl inside me every time I experience bigotry today – and indeed I still do!

We moved back to Detroit, just two years before the 1967 riots. Now, this violent response that lasted five days was so confusing to me. The night that it started, my mother had to run about a mile or more to 12th Street in order to flag down a police ambulance. My older sister, now deceased, had experienced a brain aneurism. However, with all of the confrontations be-tween police and citizens after a raid on an after-hours bar, emergency services were overwhelmed. In the days following, I remember watching armed National Guard soldiers ride by in army vehicles as I sat on my relatives’ front porch. It brought fear to me during those days. Our people were fed up with inequalities, but expressed that in a way that was totally contrary to the non-vio-lence that Dr. King preached, and that many of them supported, and the destruction was to our own neigh-borhoods and busnesses.

Dr. King’s legacy to me should encourage us all of every race, creed and color to continue his work and to mobilize on a grander scale today. Because of him and many of our elders who bled and died, we are afforded opportunities that were not available to them. However, we must not be complacent. We still have so much work to do. Dr. King was one of our catalysts; now let’s continue!

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The great historian John Henrik Clarke once said,“History is not everything, but it is a starting point. History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is a compass they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It tells them where they are but, more importantly, what they must be.” I couldn’t agree with Mr. Clarke more.When I reflect on the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela I think about Dr. King’s last speech where he said he had been to mountain top and looked over and saw the Promised Land. Well to me what he saw in the promise land was you and I. Not just you and I being there, but us being the change that both Nelson Mandela and Dr. King envisioned. Being lead-ers, servants, bridge builders, bridging the gap between his generation and mine as well as my generation to this generation.

I speak and do mentoring with young people all the time. The recent passing the great Nelson Mandela com-pelled me to ask young people about Mr. Mandela. Sad-ly, most didn’t know much besides his name and where he resided (South Africa). This hits home with me be-cause I grew up with parents who shared stories about their childhood experiences during the civil rights era and going to school at a historically black college.

One experienced that my parents shared in particular is the historical May 1970 Jackson State University riot that left two young men dead and injuring 12 others. As a kid growing up in Detroit this was just another story that my parents spoke about to my siblings and I, and it didn’t mean much at the time. You see the po-lice responded to reports of kids throwing rocks at cars as motorists drove through. Well the police opened fire on a crowd of students and then turned their firing on Alexander Hall (which to this day still has bullet holes marking in the building). This story hits home because my mother was in Alexander Hall during this shooting and my Dad was also on the campus during the trag-ic occurrence. Well, the class of 1970 did not have a graduation that year, and my father had to come back to

Detroit during this uprising instead of walking across a stage at graduation.

Growing up, I always wondered why my dad wanted a copy of my high school yearbook and other memora-bilia for my senior year. However, I got the picture and understood the importance of it all when I was able to walk across the stage during graduation, 31 years later as the Jackson State University, class of 2001. My Dad did not get a chance to go to prom or graduation in high school because he was too poor to attend and had to work. Then to have the shining moment of attending his own college graduation taken from him due to the riots, only compelled my father to work even harder in the future. I get it now, my father also had been to the mountain top and seen the promise land…. His prom-ise land was my siblings and I (which all five of us have taken that walk across that stage as college graduates.) As I reflect on the impact of these two great men, it be-comes clearer that both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela are my Dad. I thank God for the ex-amples and sacrifices of my own Dad and real man that He blessed me with and I am honored to have his name.

www.icaresr.com

I was only 6 years old when Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was taken away from the world. However, I remember quite vividly how upset and distraught my parents were over his death. Dr. King gave up everything to receive noth-ing personally during his lifetime. He lost his life, his wife lost her husband, and his children lost their father so our nation, as a whole, could move forward in the war against racial inequity. Over-all time, the world would recognize the countless contributions Dr. King has made to this country’s historical land-scape.

I want to thank GOD for providing Dr. King with the foresight to realize his la-bors would not be in vain. His direct ef-fect on Civil Rights and self-imaging of African Americans has given our people the chance to pursue a quality of life of-fered freely to other Americans. While too numerous to list in this brief com-mentary, learning opportunities is one of the greatest accomplishments credited to Dr. King. Although there’s much more to achieve, great educational strides have been made for our children since the time of segregation. And on a very personal note, I benefited from a Rev. Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. Scholarship which cov-ered my college tuition during my time at Seton Hall University. You see, I owe Dr. King much more than I can ever re-pay. If I had to sum up Dr. King’s life in a few words, it would be….Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:21.

www.theVelazquezFamilySingers.cominfo@theVelazquezFamilySingers.com

Reflections on Nelson Mandela by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan

Nelson Mandela was an extraordinary man. Just think about the courage it took for him to look the

sentencing judge at his 1964 trial in the eye and say that he was prepared to die. And, the principle that

he was prepared to die for is so remarkable. Mandela said he cherished the ideal of a democratic and free

society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. And, it was for that

sentiment that he spent 27 years in prison.

After he was released, Mandela delivered a speech calling for mass action to end apartheid. And, what

he called for was change, because he said only with universal suffrage in a united, democratic and non-

racial South Africa can we ever have peace and racial harmony. Even after spending 27 years in prison,

Mandela wavered from that

principle, he changed the world.

313.224.3400

darrinhenson.com

Dear Readers,

Tribute to Christina Lazzana-Webster

Only God knew His plan for you, as a child the path seemed obvious to few. We never consider that in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth and here on earth you would do a mighty work.

We never considered that even our plans for you just was not the path the Heavenly Father had in store for you.

From birth to age 33 you touched the life’s of many, every encounter was never the same and just way too many to name. You encouraged, inspired, comforted and simply and Loved like only someone that had a special relationship with God could do. Your life was not what people saw on the outside but you never allowed that to stop you.

Deep inside there was hurt and pain that no one could understand or explain. Through it all you remained a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend, a cousin, an aunt, an awe-some business woman and example to ourway, and my parents reinforced that. community and world.

We never consider that you were sent from Heaven.We never considered that our encounter with you would be one that would give just a little glimpse of Heaven. Your smile would light up the hearts and warm the souls of the world. God has smiled on you and set you free.

Your legacy has been left; through this journey of life you did your best. I now understand that you were “Heaven Sent”

www.zanyemusic.com

“But we come here tonight to be saved from that pa-tience that makes us patient with anything less than freedom and justice.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

At a young age, Mandela experienced “let down” and disappointment similar to many of my students walk-ing the halls of our high school; disappointment and fear surrounds not only their lives, but their mind set.

Mandela’s father, Gadla Henry then Chieftainship [much like the role of a prime minister] was deposed of his title, his cattle, land and income because he re-fused to answer to a white tribesman’s complaints. As a direct result, Mandela Sr. and his family became displaced from the life they were accustomed to. Al-though, Mandela Sr. and his family were forced to re-locate living with distant cousins and friends, young Mandela was resilient and bounced back. Young Mandela’s ability to bounce back, resonated with me in a way comparable to by students! “My babies” as I affectionately call them, receive my support, advocacy and mentorship as a Site Coordinator and Homeless Liaison. The never ending challenges of my students remind me much of the young Mandela who faced some of the same obstacles while simultaneously bal-ancing many other life altering issues; such as being displaced from family members, being a ward of the state or adopted into a foster care home

Much like the young Mandela, my students experi-ence loosing status when a parent loses their job due a poor economy, or not having the education needed to compete. As I sometimes look through the unfiltered lenses of my students, attempting to view the world they reside in, I have tried to examine life through both the eyes of a “Young Mandela” and “Young Mar-tin.” The commonalities shared between our youth in 2014 and the youthful days of Mandela and Mar-tin are vividly apparent. Resilience, sacrifice and strength are qualities my students display more often than not. These same qualities are also found in our world leaders.

A young Martin, although from a very affluent edu-cated family encountered losing his grandmother at a young age, and was said to have attempted suicide because of grief and depression. Sitting at my desk focusing on bringing a new program to the school, a student walks into my office. As I lift my head up from my computer screen, I try to study her body language… as if I can predict the reason for her vis-it. Praying silently to myself I ask her what’s going on while hoping CPS or mental health clinicians aren’t needed this time. Deep inside, I know she too, like young Martin, will get through this adversity, fear and depression. Young Martin overcame them too and went on to be an adult that would impact this nation through championing segregation, the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

I too have a dream, a dream for my students to perse-vere through these challenges, to allow their lives to be defined by more than their oppression and depri-vation, but to utilize the Life, Loss and Legacy of Mar-tin and Mandela as a reflection of who they ultimately can and will become!

Southeastern High School

Throughout the history of the world, there havebeen few men that have demonstrated such cour-age, conviction, and sacrifice against the forces of tyranny as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As though appointed by God, Dr. King was raised in a period of American history dominated by pov-erty, fear, prejudice, and injustice. Born into a long family line of Baptist ministers, Dr. King came to battle armed with a Doctorate in Theology, coupled with prolific oratory and writing skills. In fact, Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” is one of the most re-nowned speeches of all time.

The life, death, and legacy of Dr. King has touched me in a deep, profound way with his unshakable resolve to achieve civil rights through peaceful demonstration. His tenacity to never retaliate with force, even though the opposition was fierce and mighty, also caused the abandonment of many of his supporters. Consequently, Dr. King champi-oned both external and internal confrontation.

I paid homage to Dr. King at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, and relived highlights of his life’s events and legacy. The experience was overwhelming. One can only speculate the further progress that would have occurred had Dr. King been able to see his ‘Dream’ materialize forty years later with the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Dr. King would be 85-years-old today.

“The Blood of the Martyr will be seed of the tabernacle of freedom”-- M.L. King Jr.

www.bullytalk.org

The year 2013 witnessed the passing on of Nelson Mandela, former South African President (1994 – 1999), anti-apartheid revolutionary and philanthropist. Born July 18 1918, Nelson Mandela in his lifetime was not just a South African Statesman, he was also an African icon and an international figure of the finest standing. A recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the respect he earned within the international community led to the United Nations officially declaring July 18 as the Nelson Man-dela International Day.

Nelson Mandela died December 5, 2013 and even in death he exud-ed distinction. For instance, his burial ceremony held on December 15 2013 was attended by over 90 world leaders.

Here are some little known facts about this legendary icon:

• His name at birth was Rolihlahla and not Nelson. He wasgiven the name Nelson by his teacher after being baptized at

the United Methodist Church. He also had a tribal name –Madiba and he was born into the Thembu royal family.

• Nelson Mandela was a lawyer, who together with OliverTambo established South Africa’s first black law firm in 1952.

• Mandela was on the terrorist watch list of the United Statesuntil 2008, a situation that Secretary of State – Con

doleezza Rice - described as being ‘frankly a rather embarrassing matter’. Being on that watch list required Mandelato get special State clearance before being allowed into the US. Definitely such estranged treatment was not new

to him, as he was even labeled a troublemaker by some of his black peers in South Africa during his anti-apartheidstruggle.

• Mandela in his lifetime, received over 250 honours including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. He and the then- Presidentof South Africa – F.W. de Klerk - were jointly awarded for their efforts in overturning the apartheid regime.

Mandela fought when it was time to, and also promoted reconciliation when the time came and this caused him to berevered all around the world. One would have thought that the 27 years he spent in prison would make him embitteredand out on a vengeance mission. He however sought for a unified South Africa. He became the first black president ofSouth Africa and despite the call for him to run for a second term, he declined – thus exhibiting a very rare traitamongst world leaders.

Mandela is undoubtedly one of the most respected post-colonial figures in Africa and will forever be remembered because the memory of true legends never fades. Amongst the several ways by which the South African government has honoured him is in having his face grace every paper currency of the country – even though this move wasn’t devoid of its criticisms.

Many today speak highly of his values and the legacy he has left behind, however not many are able to pay the sacrifice he paid. Mandela was meant to die in prison – his sentence was life imprisonment, but international pressure was mounted on South Africa and he was eventually released after twenty-seven years! So, for all those wishing to walk in Mandela’s shoes, remember: 27 was the number of sacrifice along with the many other losses which he suffered.He was a binding force and a renaissance figure for all of Africa. As a result, I decided to incorporate a few thoughts from other Africans about Mandela.

www. info@inhistepsmag.org

Africa would have peace and witness speedy development if we have more leaders with the exceptional qualities of Nelson Mandela. He had his own challenges and criticisms but I take greater pride in his strengths. He was a selfless leader who wanted nothing but an opportunity for his people to live freely and be recognized. As president of South Africa, he focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Mandela was a peaceable man. He did not want a revolution of bloodshed and confusion. Internationally, he acted as mediator between Libya and the United Kingdom in the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing trial, and oversaw military intervention in Lesotho. For me, Nelson Mandela lived a life worthy of praise. As Africans, we need to cherish and value his legacy. My utmost respect to his loving memory.!

Robert Akoto Amoafo (Ghana)

To me Mandela was a source of inspiration for democratic governance in Africa. He exhibited an undiluted quest for human rights in Africa. He stood as a symbol of freedom and equity – a man who bowed out of office when the ovation was loudest. Personally, Mandela is a man I would love to emulate in so many ways. I will end with a profoud quote from this great man:

Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. – Mandela (1918 – 2013)

Bamisaiye Oyetola(Nigeria)!

People focus on Nelson Mandela’s 27 years in prison and reconciliatory attitude as the core of his achievement and character, but frequently overlooked is the never-ending work he did to promote children and their development. Few people equal his charitable work and public affairs heart. He was a man for the public, who belonged to the public and his death was also appropriated by every South African as their own experience. It is just a little sad to think this man who did so much for others was not afforded the dignity of a quiet death surrounded by only loved ones.!

Petronell Kruger (South Africa)

Mandela remains a symbol of resilience, relentless fight for justice and ultimately our symbol of reconciliation

Irene Mwangi (Kenya)

The miracle of conception has never ceased to amaze us all, and every proud parent gladly tells all who will listen how unique the concep-tion, birth and growth of their child is. Yet at birth every child looks like a newborn would-pink skin, tiny limbs and tiny mouths for big cries, with few ex-ceptional cases. Nothing that can be physically seen tells us what the child would become, but as the years pass, the distinction begins to show-potentials get discovered, dreams and ambitions are birthed, pas-sions are revealed and skilled are developed. Some grow to shine brighter than the others because they have harnessed the potentials within them, took risks and maximized their opportunities and embraced worthy values.

It is such one as this time to celebrate and reflect on the life of Nelson Mandela. It is so that his story and deeds might inspire us, helping us to realize that the tiny ember of his impact can be fanned into a flame so strong that the whole world can feel. We remember the impact that he had not only on South Africans or citizens of African continents, but on the entire global population. Madiba, your son has these words for you. Although you will never be able to read them out loud, it is my hope that you can feel the love and energy from my reflection.

Madiba, a revolutionary legend whose life, loss and legacy will be with us always, whose work will forever serve as the foundation of generations to come. Man-dela was so much than a government leader, lawyer, a father and a husband. He was a man of great principle who sacrificed his liberty to ensure the liberty of others. He elevated community, championed education, and supported a fully participatory democratic society. With the hopes and aspirations of a nation perched prominently on his shoulders, he waged a war against inhumanity and injustice. He spent 27 years in prison for the fight against racial segregation. 18 years of those years they confined him to 7*8 foot concrete cell and allowed only one visit and one letter per year.

Abused and his lungs and sight were permanently damaged due to hard labor he was forced to perform. Yet when he was finally freed, he FORGAVE, he loved and he held no grudges. He prepared us to seek freedom in the prisons of our minds and given us an example of how to live.

He has left behind his teachings. He have left his voice, his written words and his legacy; his story is our history. He hung on for our generation and the unborn generation, so that we could carry this responsibility of passing on his strength, the strength he had in his walk and the love he showed for the people and the fight he fought for 95 years”

I celebrate the noble icon of our time, who has impacted the world in ways that matter, who has beau-tifully portrayed the virtues of forgiveness, charity, integrity, excellence and other noble qualities, with the sole aim of making a worthy contribution to the world. Thank you Mandela for being the spark, that we all will continue to burn.

I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended. (From long walk to freedom, 1995)

www.youthwithadiffrence.org

YYouth With A Difference

www.spiveyfordetroit.com

When the names President Nelson Mandela, Esq. and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are read, spoken or heard, it ought it bring about a sense of pride, sacrifice and thanksgiving for fulfilling their life’s work. There is a strong connectedness with these two modern day prophets I am bless-ed to share.

I had the pleasure of graduating from Morehouse College and Colgate/Crozier Rochester Divinity School, sharing both these institutions with Dr. King. His writings and teachings were indoctrinated almost becoming second nature. Between my matric-ulation at these schools, I interned with the African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Africa and interact-ed with many of the people Nelson Mandela served.

In subsequent years traveling to South Africa, I had the fortune of meeting and working with members of the ANC who worked alongside Presi-dent Mandela.

These two men, King and Mande-la, heeded the call to serve humanity while sacrificing family, careers and even their very own lives. They could

have easily had comfortable and well to do lives serving as a minister and law-yer, respectively, but they chose to live out the calling placed upon their lives to make sure thousands if not millions had the opportunity to experience free-dom and equality.

The task for us now is to make sure their life’s work and mission is prop-erly chronicled and preserved, given the great respect and admiration it de-serves and is passed on to generations yet unborn.

313-224-4841

As a child in the 1970s, I was fortunate enough to listen to and be encouraged to memorize Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech. Though I could not grasp the magnitude and understand the full mean-ing of his words, I was captivated, even as a child by his exquisite oratory. Only after I became an adult and followed the path of using the power of spoken words to ig-nite positive change in the lives of people, did I fully begin to appreciate Dr. King’s metaphorically rich passages and how his words precisely expressed the universal yearning for freedom and justice.

Dr. King used his gift, his remarkable or-atorical skills to inspire people to believe that their struggles to free themselves from oppression and inequality were momentous. He conveyed, in a way all his own, the need for people to rise be-yond what they felt they could not do and achieve what seemed to be impossible. Dr. King used his voice and his voice con-tinues to speak today. His voice echoes in countless schools, universities, commu-nities and homes throughout this nation and abroad.

Today, it is challenge, to use the power of our voice. Like Dr. King, what we say and do will leave a lasting impact and legacy for the generations to come. Change nev-er really begins with the masses, it often begins with one - one person, one voice, and one power that becomes the catalyst for something greater.

azizahmorrison.com

Have you ever felt that everything was go-ing wrong in your life, all at the same time? A while ago, I had a “year long” pity par-ty after experiencing what I thought at the time to be painful life changes.

One afternoon I was visiting my dad, I looked at his hands and my pity party in-stantly ended. My dad’s hands give you a visual of what it was like to work in the fields of Selma during the Civil Rights Movement. His hands were scarred, but strong. My dad always shared stories about the Civil Rights Movement, especially proud of participating in what is now called Bloody Sunday. Growing up in Detroit my dad always taught us about our history and he had a great admiration for Dr. Martin Luther King, and would even recite his speeches.

I had to ask myself the question: If your dad and Dr. King could withstand fight for your civil rights in the face of death, can you seriously not get “over yourself,” and these life changes? That day changed my life, and now when I have a decision to make, I ask: What’s the worst thing that could happen? I used this question to propel my career in technology, where I was usually the only woman at the technology table. I went on to develop software, serve as a technology executive, coordinate the technology be-hind Super Bowl XL

Now, I travel world empowering females to believe in themselves and consider STEM Careers.

Thanking Dr. King and my Dad… for push-ing me to get out of my own way!

www.marlinpage.com

Detroit, MI

“I have fought against white dominion and I have fought against black dominion. I have cherished the ideal of a demo-cratic and free society in which all persons live together in har-mony and with equal opportunities. It is an idea which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an idea for which I am prepared to die.” - -Remarks by Nelson Mandela in Cape Town on February 11, 1990 after his release from Victor Verster

Below is my account of the liberation of Nelson Mandela while at Fisk University from 1989 – 1992. In addition, I am honored to share the reflections of my powerful classmates, Fisk staff and faculty, too. Those reflections appear on the next page. Buckle up & enjoy!

Preface

I look in the mirror. I am 19 years old. A college student on the

campus of Fisk University in Nashville, TN. Because of my southern drawl, I’ve been given the nickname, “Whitley,” from television show, A Different World and have fallen in love with my new home and making friends who are just as driven and socially conscious as I am. What a time in history to be young, gifted and black!

I can’t believe I’m here and having the time of my life, recently winning Nashville’s 1st Ida B. Wells NAACP Oratorical Contest and speaking around the city for Black History Month. It’s hectic trying to keep my grades up, motivational speaking engagements AND pledging Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. What am I thinking?!!

Lately, the world has been focused on Apartheid in South Africa and international rumors of unbanning of the African National Congress and promises to release Nelson Mandela. Hip Hop and rap music are everyday occurrences for this Kentucky girl, and to think we didn’t even have a black radio station where I come from. “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy is playing every time I turn on the radio. I am thriving in my Afrocentric surroundings, and Public Enemy is one of my favorite groups because of references to political figures such as Assata Shakur and Nelson Mandela. As a political science major, with plans to be the first black governor of Kentucky, their sociopolitical statements have somewhat become a movement in hip hop that reflects a new black consciousness and I LOVE IT!

February 11, 1990

As I returned from class walking on the cobblestone path, I heard students on campus laughing and shouting. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but as I approached the Fisk Memorial Chapel, I could hear the crowd of stu-dents and activists shouting, “Mandela’s free! Mandela’s free!” The powerful voice of the Rev. Chestina Archibald, Fisk Chaplain, was heard from every corner on the yard, declaring and confirming for us all, indeed, Mandela was free!

As I watched teardrops of joy fall from their face, in the name of freedom. The closer I walked toward the Fisk Oval, with Jubilee Hall in sight; I noticed a large banner hung from the cafeteria window, echoing Mandela’s freedom. I be-gan to see Fisk students or Fiskites (as we adoringly refer to one another,) embrace one another as the historic, Fisk Memorial Chapel bell began to ring loudly, demanding our immediate attention.

Rochelle OwsleyAward-winning Motivational Speaker

As I stood there absorbing everything around me, tears of hope and the reality of dreams began to run down my face as I savored this historical moment in time. With each jaunting ring heard from the Fisk Memorial Chapel bell that day, the words, PERSEVERANCE, TRIUMPH and FREE-DOM rang and penetrated every Fiskite to the bottom of our core.

The rich history of the beloved, Fisk University, a historically black college and university (HBCU) and the Jubilee Singers are known through-out the world for its captivating ability to produce leaders, scholars and activists with elite achievement and great expectation. Similar to Mandela’s royal ties and reference as “the father of the nation,” Fisk is con-sidered a royal family among the HBCU clan. Fisk students understand they are descendants of a clearly, defined lineage of greatness and are called to use their voice and power to provide the best support and ser-vice to all mankind, in the kingdom of God and throughout the world. Perhaps Fisk’s truest niche was captivated and depicted in Lee Daniel’s 2013 Blockbuster film, The Butler.

As we celebrated Mandela’s release, we realized what this victory meant for our brothers and sisters in South Africa and throughout the world. But more importantly, Fiskites seized the moment to witness and celebrate a dreamer who persevered racial discrimination, triumphed over injustices and won the victory of justice and freedom during our lifetime. Realizing Mandela’s liberation was a game changer, this pivoting moment in history created and renewed hope among a new generation

of activist, leaders, and dreamers on the campus of Fisk University that day. We were reminded of our rich, African histo-ry, accomplishments and royal lineage on a daily basis and as Fiskites, we knew “Who” we were, being descendants of Kings and Queens. As Fisk students, we understood in order to reach our dreams and impact the world; education would crown our minds because royalty came with a cost by the name of destiny.

Like Mandela’s royal ties, he could have chosen a life of royal comfort and convenience, but according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Biography of him, “Hearing the elder’s stories of his ancestor’s valor during the wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom of his people.” Thus, prompting him to walk away from his royal affiliations and run toward his destiny as an freedom fighter and attorney, ultimately leading him to serve as South Africa’s first, black president in 1994 after engaging in resistance against the ruling National Party’s apartheid policies for 46 years. Mandela’s royal DNA is even more apparent as history notes his refusal to compromise his political position in order to obtain his freedom, and preserve his life. In essence, Mandela was a king to his people and answered his call to lead the Anti-Apartheid Movement.

As I reflect upon Mandela’s liberation, that cold and historical day on February 11, 1990, thank you Fisk University for cultivating and encouraging this country girl to dream and for the memories and celebrations that will last a lifetime. And for his life-long commitment to human rights, justice and freedom for ALL mankind, thank you Nelson Mandela for teaching the next generation of scholars and leaders how to achieve success by believing in a dream and nurturing it at all cost, while celebrating the reality of free-dom that started, only with a dream.

Until we meet again Mandela. Sweet dreams Madiba. Sweet dreams.

See YOU at the Top! highlyfavoredinc@yahoo.com

Fisk UniversityMemorial Chapel

−

Attorney Angelique Bartholomew

Reflections People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will

never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou

While reflecting on what the LIFE of Mr. Nelson Mandela, I thought

mostly about the feeling I had when I heard that he had been re-

leased from prison after SO many years. As a student at Fisk Universi-

ty, class of 1992. I had only began my journey into understanding the

impact of social studies, government and discrimination in politics,

while studying for my political science degree. Having grown up in

Birmingham, Alabama my parents stressed the importance of voting

and consistently reminded us that - it’s not about who WINS, it’s

about if you exercised your right to have a say in it.

Mr. Mandela will always represent the ability to have a SAY in the

matter. I’m appreciative to have had such an example of unwavering

FAITH. I heard it said before that life is a school and there are many

teachers. Although I never met Mr. Mandela, although I’ve never

been to South Africa and I’ve never experienced hatred in the capaci-

ty in which he did; I do hold on to that same FAITH that he clung to

when I deal with challenges that cause me to feel imprisoned.

I’ve often thought about the process he must have had to go through

in his mind to accept the position that he was in and still have the

burning desire to change the world. It is what fuels me and inspires me to give life everything that I have and when it doesn’t

come out the way I expect, to GIVE MORE.

I attended Law School in Alabama after Fisk and my passion for political science and politics has not changed one bit. Although I

run a successful healthcare consulting firm, my feet are deeply rooted in the political activity through volunteerism, deputizing

and registering voters. I often hear negative responses from our people when I ask them to become involved or mention the po-

litical process:

it’s a scam

it’s not set up for us to win

they’re using voter registration to pull our sons into the draft

I say, it’s hard to listen to the grumbling when you don’t even use your voice to vote. I consistently participate in grassroots cam-

paigning and candidate development because although Mr. Mandela is no longer here, he has left a FIRE that burns with FAITH

as a leader who gave the WORLD a Voice, VOTE!

Angelb.jd@att.net

Houston, Texas

I’m #HAPPY that Detroit band, Skeleton Crew is featured in the music video Flawless by Beyonce!! Their song Sentimental has since received thousands of hits from around the world!

- Susan Murphy Pilipchuk . Detroit, MI

Freedom of creative expression is my #HAPPY—We Speak TV . Atlanta GE

I’m #HAPPY about inspiring young people to live out their dreams and walk in their purpose using poetry.

Eric Havlock ‘Last Apostle’ poet . Simpsonville, SC

Met an amazing woman. I found my soul mate! I so love her.

Fernando Sharp ‘FSharp’ . Detroit, MI #HAPPY

Jesus and my two girls keep me #HAPPY

Nubian Queen Yolanda . City/state unknown

#HAPPY to be alive and in good health! Gina Castle . Abuja, Nigeria

I’m #HAPPY that God has given me the opportunity to live my dream and to make an impact in my gener-ation using Youth With A Difference as a platform.

Owobo Olorunyomi . Kogi, Nigeria

I’m #HAPPY about HBCUstories. Nothing gives me more joy than sharing their good work!

Crystal A. deGregory . Nashville, TN

What’s Your #HAPPY? JOIN THE MOVEMENT!

In 1963 the March held in Washington where the awesome speech of “I Have a Dream” was delivered by a remarkable man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The march was orchestrated to promote equality and civ-il rights for African Americans. Individuals assem-bled to pray, render songs, and give speeches. From readings, I discovered that this powerful march came to pass in only two months of planning.

As I have battled different experiences, I too have a dream, that my one voice will be heard on behalf of millions. Dr. King once quoted (my favorite) The first question which the Priest and Levites asked was: if I stop to help the man, what will happen to me? But, the Good Samaritan reverse the question: If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him? This quote is so powerful.

Often we as individuals only worry about ourselves and never really know how the ones we over look have so much to offer. Through the battles I’ve fought. I understand these battles and experience are purpose to help inspire someone else along the way to push pass their toxic circumstances.

This is my dream, one day I would speak before millions, identified as the voice that brings awareness to the nation con-cerning Endometriosis. Empowering2Push. This is my dream! My dream has become a reality! Last year I organized a ‘Walk to Benefit and Create Awareness about Endometriosis’ in the small town of Springfield, SC.

My dream continues, as the millions gather to hear powerful testimonies and then are equipped with empowering factors. I see the many gathering on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on March 13, 2014, as I LaQuanda Hart is selected as one of the speakers for a world-wide event. I extend a call-to-action and persuade millions, vowing to do all it takes to make a difference, for myself and millions of other women who are battling Endometriosis.

My dream started from one small thing: A vision. Just as back in 1963 the millions gathered, diverse, rich poor, healthy, unhealthy, the overcomers and battlers, white, black, young, old, celebrities, politicians, doctors, people from everywhere, all for one cause: to stand firm yet peacefully to bring Endometriosis Awareness.

Thank you to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr for standing in the midst of hatred, violence, despair YET, holding fast to his dream, The KINGS DREAM, that we will all stand as one and overcome.

Empower2Push

I think and reflect back when I was fourteen and my parents moved into a beautiful neighborhood where we were the first Black family to own a home. The home owners who all happened to be white protested and threw trash in our swimming pool and screamed Nigga go home. They even went as far as to write ‘those words’ in the sidewalk!

They mistreated us until they saw me on NBC in the TV show Julia staring Di-ahann Carroll. After which, they behaved suddenly as if we were human. It was amazing. I will never forget it.

My parents were very involved in Civil Rights Movements and never taught us to hate and had friends of all ethnicities. I grew up with an understanding that there are good people and there are ignorant people in every race.

It still was painful to be so hated by my new neighbors and to see hate on TV with the Civil Rights work in the South and to be thought-of less by teachers because of the color of my skin. It broke my heart to see my lovely father and brother harassed and abused by the police. I grew up believing that I couldn’t stand by and just deny my pain and the pain of my people. I wanted to make a difference. I had to make a difference. Once I was on TV as a child star, mom instilled in me that my opportunities were largely in part because of the protests and strides of many Black people like MLK.

I met my husband at the age of 19. He was a Stanford educated guy. He traveled the world and lived and worked in South Africa, making documentaries about Bobby Seale, Angela Davis and the revolutionaries of the times. His friends were of all nationalities, folks who were not blinded by hate. People of all colors who wanted to change the world. My husband, Fran-cisco Newman fought ignorance through the arts. I do think we found common ground in being artists. He used his talents to provoke awareness and change.

With MLK’s dream in my blood, I worked with my mother in America against American Apartheid when I became aware of Nelson Mandela and the sufferings of South Africans. Again, I was compelled to do something. I had to do something. I couldn’t live and not do anything. I protested, went to Church meetings with projects created for helping to increase aware-ness, protested and wrote a song that I sang at events all over California and New York. I called it ‘Apartheid Must Die.’ It was played on radio stations all over. My efforts were small considering the plight of South Africans, but I couldn’t live without doing something.

My husband taught me a South African word. My husband lived by this word. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela lived by UBUNTU. It means our well-being as humans is tied to the well-being of others. That we are tied to each other. When life is shared, when pain is shared, when goodness is shared, when food is shared, when we share love and life, we experience UBUNTU.

keepthefaithinc.com

Conversation with the King Judge Craig Strong - Detroit, Michigan Cheryl Patterson

Those were uncertain yet exciting times for me as a young boy learning about Civil Rights and the plight of Black people. I could help but think to myself, “why so much hate of the color Black?” Of course, there was so much I could not understand, as a 10 year old but I was concerned about the safety of others. I found myself signing-up to be a Safety Patrol Boy. Maybe, with this position of responsibility, I could help.

I was a student at Samson Elementary School. My patrol corner was Milford and Beechwood in Detroit near Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. It was while I was on patrol, someone pulled-up and begin talking to me. They told me not to go anywhere, to wait here because Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was coming and he wanted to talk to me! Was this actually happening? I knew he was one of our leaders and a very important person in our country who wanted to protect our Civil Rights. So, I waited.

The same person came back to take me over to Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church where they said King would be speaking with me before service. They positioned me on the steps so King and I were faced-to-face. A black Cadillac pulled-up and out comes Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This was surreal for me. I will never forget those moments which impacted my life. King spoke to me about service, public service and its importance. King stress how important it was for me as a safety patrol to keep the younger students safe and help them cross the street. It was a simple conversation yet a powerful one, full of images of SERVICE. King wanted to make certain I understood how important it was to him and as a young boy this was a momentous moment. I think time actually stood still for me.

The rest of my life, would find me passionate about public service and helping others. I believe we should always celebrate King and his contributions to humanity through public service.

Howard University, our line name was ‘MLK 19 because during my pledging process, King was assassinated. There was a lot of devastation and death as people rebelled as a result of King’s sudden and violent death. We decided to try to help others during that time. One way we helped as a fraternity was to form food lines to help the needy whose homes were burned during the rebellion. We also distributed cloths, as well. Howard University persuaded graduates to return to our communities and use our valuable education to help those in the community through public serve. At 10, King inspired me, directly planting the seed in my heart to desire to lead a life of public service! I couldn’t get away from it. Public Service sought me out. I just embraced it; my purpose.

As I listened to his speeches, King spoke about justice, equality with a focus on our service to each other. Helping, protecting and being kind to others were concepts of the Civil Rights movement. These were characteristics, if you will that were part of my fabric. The neighborhood I lived in rewarded us for excellence, for helping others. My community instilled public service in me and it was practiced by me, as a direct result. Even scouting was important during that time period and service to others was built in to the mission and into me.

My mother took me to the March on Woodward lead by King. I recall having to take two buses to Woodward Avenue so we could march with King who was now a very real part of my life. I was connected to King. I believed the King’s Dream and the 10 year old safety patrol boy was determined to make King proud.

As a lawyer I wanted to use my skills to help others. Even in private practice, I took on numerous cases pro bono. I looked at it as a way to serve others who needed legal representation but was at a point in their lives where they couldn’t afford it. As a judge, I use this position and the court room to be fair, making sure justice is served. I am responsible to ensure that others are treated equally and to up-hold justice. Lol, this sounds just like a conversation I had as a 10 year old safety patrol boy with King about public service. For me, this quote by King puts a bow on it all - Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?

Third Judicial Circuit of MichiganFrank Murphy Hall of Justice

1441 St. AntoineDetroit, MI 48226

313.224.2484

The world will never be able to honor Dr. King or Mr. Mandela for the sacrifices they made and gave of themselves and their families. These men gave up everything for what they believed would help make their

people a better people. In many ways it has indeed been a blessing to not have to ride the back of the bus because of what happened in Montgom-ery, Alabama, or to have to use a green card to go to downtown in Johannesburg, South Africa. Yes it has been a blessing to hold public office in government, and have the right to vote.

But as black people we have suffered the integration of things that are NOT a part of the ‘DREAM’. We have come to the developed self hatred. The things we call ourselves and do to ourselves and other people of color today were unthinkable in the early 40’s and 50’s. We believed the white man was doing everything he could to make us feel we were inferior, and we were doing everything we could to prove that we were not. We also believed that whatever he could do, we could do it better.

We started our own banks, schools, restaurants, and even hospitals, building black economic power. Dr. Joseph Harrison Jackson, President of the NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION USA INC for 29 years, said to a young and eager Dr. M.L. King Jr, “if we integrate NOW we will be the losers; it will mean us going to them not them coming to us, we are not a people yet”. We had not been out of slavery long enough to become a people. It took Jews 900 years to become a people after they left Egypt. Dr. A. G. Gaston, president of his on bank and investment group told Dr. King “we will close the Negro businesses if we integrate now. The Negro merchant class will be destroyed. We don’t need new laws, we need money, and money will bring integration”.

Our physical abilities and talents were exploited upon integrating. Many of the great baseball players were taken from the Negro pharmacy that had developed their own great leagues. All of the things that made Negros potential million-aires were lost in the first twenty years of integration. Because Negroes were running to white CPA’s and banks exposing their economic power and shining a spot light on the potential. A modern day example of this bait and switch tactic is the purchase of BET. When it could have become an independent the sole source of music video production and news for BLACK WORLD Television the Voice bought it. If OWN reaches more than 300,000 viewers there will be an offer to purchase the black owned Oprah Television Station that currently produces BLACK TV shows and movies.Yes, we have politicians in the highest offices but we are powerless in our own communities to control and motivate our children. A change has got to come if we are to make the DREAM our reality.

Reverend Smith spent much of his young adult life in Alabama where his father was a widely known southern minister around the same age as Dr. King. Reverend Smith attended college in Birmingham and became a minister during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. He witnessed the transformation of black power through integration and the result of the impact on economic status. He is currently the Pastor at the New Bethel Baptist Church Detroit, MI.

by Rev. Robert ‘BoB’ Smith Jr.

www.nbbcdetroit.org

Assistant Pastor Kelly Crews Cleveland, Ohio

Throughout everything, Nelson Mandela remained his own man. He was not seduced by the trappings of public office nor swayed by the claps of admirers. He was always friendly and approachable. These often overlooked characteristics are what makes him one of the icons of icons and maybe always will be.

If more people could carry this attitude and posture, when promotion and life elevation comes, they would be so much further ahead. May his legacy live as he touched lives globally from all ages and walks of life. He was a multi-faceted, hard-working, caring, giving man. He deserves to be celebrated for years to come, as he goes down in history.

Reflections

It was not just his courage and capacity to inspire that endeared Nelson Mandela to so many. Despite being one of the world’s most prominent men, he retained his extraordinary humanity and humility.

His greatness came from the humanity that he radiated, his common touch, humbleness. He was very personable with east the least to the greatest and was called a great friend.

Prison could have made him very bitter, praise could have gone to his head, and egotism could have triumphed, but none of this happened. He remained constant and consistent with who people knew Mandela to be, besides being a great leader.

www.kellycrews.org

Contact Information: Erica J. Thompson, Ph.D. E-Mail: ejt_33@yahoo.com

In Tribute The Amazing Professor Donald R. Lyons, Ph.D.

By Dr. Erica J. Thompson from Portland, Oregon

Although I enjoy sports and movies, when contemplating heroic icons, professional

athletes and actors are not the first people that come to mind. Rather people like

Donald R. Lyons; my former Ph.D. advisor, who is slight in stature but never when it

comes to ingenuity. He is not known for throwing a 100 mile per hour fast ball or for

having the most triple doubles in a single game. Even more importantly he will not

be recognized for obtaining a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University;

physics program; or being first author on over a dozen novel patents. One of his

students (Kenneth Samuels, Ph.D.) went on to work for the Naval research

Laboratory and the other (Erica J. Thompson, Ph.D.) did a Post-Doctoral Fellowship

at Caltech before accepting a position with Intel Corporation.

In addition to being a world class scientist, Dr. Lyons is the father of four children,

Donald, Panya, Kenya, and James. Panya graduated from Stanford University; Kenya

from Yale and is currently in her first year of medical school at Stanford University;

and James is applying to several Ivy League colleges and Universities. What is the definition of a champion? Is it a person who can throw

the perfect pass with thousands of on-lookers or the man who leaves a legacy of educated men and women?

He -

to be confused with mommy. Young Donald dreamed of being a scientist and was infatuated with rockets. Living in Louisiana and

coming from a large family that did not have many resources, so Donald performed odd jobs here and there until he saved enough to

purchase it. In the meantime he spent a stint understanding first the math and then the physics of propulsion. Note that this is in the

heart of Jim Crow and separate, but equal era. After graduating from high school he received a full academic scholarship to Grambling

S

How can separate ever be equal when a man as bright as Donald in his final year at Grambling received material from Stanford

University , yet had never heard the only Ivy league school on the West Coast? After discussing the prestige

of the university with an elder he decided to attend Stanford. His doctoral advisor was the Nobel Laureate; Arthur Leonard Schawlow,

who is known for his work in LASERs and spectroscopy.

Dr. Lyons graduated from Stanford in 1982 and went on to work for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he pioneered

Bragg reflective gratings (ultra violet induced photorefractive effects in optical fibers). Next he worked for Corning, then Boeing, and is

currently a university endowed professor at Hampton University, where he continues to be a positive influence for future generations

of African American scientists and engineers.

Contact:

Erica J. Thompson, Ph.D.

Portland Technology Development

Intel Corporation

E-mail: erica.j.thompson@intel.com

erica.j.thompson@intel.com

As I reflect on my thoughts and memories of these two amazing men, I go back to the many stories I heard from the elders in my commu-nity my Mom and my mentors. You see I was just a baby during Martin Luther King’s life-time and I was only able to see Mandela on TV or read about him. I started studying more about Mandela and Martin when I experi-enced discrimination in my twenty’s after graduating from college. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I interviewed over the phone for a job that I was so excited about. They told me that I was the perfect person for the job. When I arrived for a face-to-face interview I overheard the receptionist say “She’s Black”. The director wouldn’t even come out to meet me. That’s when I realized that over the phone, they thought I was White. This incident changed me a lot and made me realize that some people still do not see African Americans as equals and as qualified even though we are. It made me see that there was much work to be done and also made me appreciate the work of both of these amazing men, Mandela and Martin.

I wanted to understand better, so after that experience I began to ask my mother and mentors what they remembered about Martin and Mandela, as well as that time period 1950 and 1960. My mom shared her experience of how when she first moved to Nashville Tennessee from Anchorage Alaska. She need to get some grocery and without even thinking about it, walked into the nearest store THEN she realized Blacks were not allowed. She hadn’t experienced that in Alaska, so of course she was ready to go back. Even with that experience she didn’t allow that to stop her from moving forward.

Andy Rooney said, - The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. I meet with my mentor Mrs. Brunson. She is 98. She always takes time to share the many stories that she has about the past. She remembered Nelson Mandela’s courage and passion for his people. Mrs. Brunson spoke with me about sending Mandela copies of her poetry books for him to read just to encourage him. Mandela took the time to send a handwritten note thanking her.

One of the things I want us to remember about these two brave and courageous men is that without the work they did and the countless sacrifices, none of us would be where we are to-day. I salute Mandela and Martin and will contin-ue to share their legacy with this generation and the next.

Yolanda Shields Nashville, Tennessee

Reflections

www.lettertooursons.com

Like many of us, I wish I had the opportunity to have shared physical

space with such cultural warriors, statues of truth, and leaders in the real

since of the word.

I will never forgot the one close opportunity I had when Nelson Mandela

was here in Washington DC. I learned he was staying in the Mason hotel,

which was just a couple of blocks from where I was staying. Although, I

never had the chance to see him, I could feel his energy and presence. I

still recall as a college student, how when we spoke of Nelson Mandela’s

freedom, we spoke of the ending Apartheid! Now, I can reflect on how

the problem and the solution were both spoken of in the same sentence!

And, to this day, although much has changed, I'm still reluctant to sup-

port businesses who once supported the evil concept of racism.

Who knew the response of Mandela’s demeanor after so many years of

unjustified imprisonment, would be LOVE. This message still resonates in

my heart. Even in those situations where everything is contrast to forgiveness and love, I can find healing through reflection of the

Mandela journey. I say to myself, my measure of discomfort or challenge, is a mere fraction of what Mandela endured, yet he exhibited

patience, mercy, and compassion to do the right thing!

Martin Luther King, Jr., our crusader of human rights and dignity, restored the seed of recognizing our own heartbeat and the standing

principle that we as a people have value to our family, community, country and planet, but for many it's just a page in the book, video

or poster during Black history month!

I have to single out the powerful message Martin left us (there are many) - to Dream, to hold on to a vision of truth, good-will and

making a better difference within your own reach; encouraging us all to have a dream, that would allow you to act and take action!

We simply have to take the time to reflect on Martin and Mandela who mirrored messages and examples of liberation and honor of peace, justice, equality, brotherly love - rather than contributing to the noise of the day.

So, I thank my family ancestors along with Martin and Mandela. I thank my mother and my father who did their best to instill in me

the love of God, the love of myself and the love towards my brothers, and my sisters, always pointing out the value of family; giving

me living examples of the importance of family first! My oldest brother sacrificed his life for a war, a war we still carry the scares from.

Thank you for your brotherly love and spiritual guidance that is forever present in my life and in my children.

Nannie, who I knew as my grandmother, exhibited unconditional love. Her rooted stems of purpose and determination I pass onto my

children. And, shout out to my father in-law Richard, who taught me, it's about giving time and energy to the things that bring you

laughter and joy that are important, be it big or small. Embrace the moment.

I encourage everyone to take a moment to make their own personal connection to the energy source of these two warriors, Mandela

and Martin through your family and friends, for this is the Martin and Mandela Impact within our reach. Include their echoing thoughts

and expressions into this revolutionary contemplation of empowerment to start a new you!

We must continue to dream and love, creating an environment for both to manifest, while we walk this surface we call earth.

www.tms4design.com

Timothy Smith Washington, DC

Reflections

My reflections of MLK are synonymous

with JFK. We all have a dream. We all

want to be accepted for our

knowledge, hard work and the desire

to have a fair chance to succeed, not

based on our color, or our handicaps or

anything else that makes us different

from one another.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has showed

us that beacon of light to follow our dreams and overcome those who impose hatred or

judgments because we are not like them. No one should ever have to dream of Equality.

Equality is a right. Our dream is not without merit, it is our destiny.

www.cityofeastpointe.net

Council Member Ronald LaForest

Eastpointe, Michigan

Reflections

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