Where were you born and raised?
Crawfordville, Georgia.
What is your occupation?
President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Henry Aaron's breaking of Babe Ruth's home run record.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is an opportunity to highlight the contributions that Black Americans have made to the greatness of this country.
What do you believe is the most important issue currently facing the Black community?
The continued effort for social justice and economic empowerment.
When did you realize you were Black in America and what has that meant for your life?
I grew up in the deep south so I became aware of my skin color as early as five years of age. It was never anything that I dwelled on. It gave me an understanding of the challenges that I would potentially face in life because of my skin color. My parents, however, instilled a strong sense of self that I always had confidence that I could succeed and so I never feared that my color would be a hindrance.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration to push for change?
My nine-year-old granddaughter, Demi, is my primary motivation to keep pushing for change. I want her to grow up into a world where people won't prejudge her negatively because of her skin color. That she and other kids of color will be afforded an equal and equitable opportunity to succeed.
How have you supported or contributed to the local Black community?
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is much more than a museum. It is a community and educational resource. When it was established in 1990, it was done to preserve and celebrate a precious piece of baseball and Americana but just as importantly, it was also also the anchor of an effort to revitalize Historic 18th & Vine. In my role as president, it is important that I continue to position the organization as a community leader and share in those responsibilities to be a voice, particularly, for issues relative to race and sports as we continue the effort of bridging the racial divide in our city and nation.
