Photo courtesy of SUNY
at Oneonta
RALPH WATKINS, 1943-2007
Ralph R. Watkins passed away on September
18, 2007. He was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2005, was treated but had a
recurrence in July of 2006. He was hospitalized at the end of August 2007
for the last time. Ralph died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Ralph Watkins received his bachelor’s
degree from Buffalo State College. After college, he was employed as a
social studies teacher by the Buffalo Public Schools. In 1970 he entered a
Ph.D. Program in history at SUNY Buffalo, where he received the doctoral
degree in the mid 1970s. While a graduate student at SUNY Buffalo, Watkins
was a teacher’s assistant. He also taught an in-service course in African
American History to teachers in the Buffalo Public Schools.
After receiving
his doctoral degree, Watkins was hired by the history department at SUNY
Oneonta. He taught African American History, Twentieth Century American
History, Comparative Slavery, and Introductory Africana and Latino Studies.
He was chair of Africana and Latino Studies for a decade. He served as a
consultant to the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation Department; the Strong Museum of Rochester, N.Y; and the New
York State Education Department. He was a longtime member of the SUNY
Advisory Committee on African American Studies. Watkins was on the
committee that wrote the proposal to establish the New York State African
American Institute. Watkins was also the recipient of three fellowships
from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Before leaving
Buffalo, Watkins was a founding member of the Afro-American Historical
Association of the Niagara Frontier, and for 32 years he was an assistant
editor of its journal-Afro-Americans in New York Life and History.
A Memorial Tribute to Dr. Ralph
Watkins
by Monroe
Fordham
I met Ralph
Watkins in the fall of 1970. We were both first year students in the
history Ph.D. program at SUNY Buffalo. From the outset we became close
friends. For one thing, we had come from similar backgrounds; we came from
public housing projects and poor neighborhoods of urban America, we were
both the first in our families to go to college, and we both tended to see
the world from the perspective of common and ordinary people. Those factors
led to both of us having a strong attraction to community history. That is
what I remember most about Ralph; his strong interest in community history
and his tendency to see historical issues from the perspective of ordinary
people.
One example comes to mind. During our
graduate school years it was fashionable to view the historical conflict
between W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington from the perspective of
DuBois and so called “progressive” blacks. Most academic types had a
negative view of Washington’s arguments. I think that because of Ralph’s
personal background, he was inclined to be more sympathetic to Washington’s
point of view. To the mass of ordinary blacks, Washington’s program of
trade schools and practical education was especially attractive; it offered
them immediate and tangible benefits. While Ralph always showed an
understanding and an appreciation of the DuBois faction’s views, he was
never willing to denigrate Washington, as so many people did. Years later,
researchers discovered Washington’s behind the scenes and secret activities
aimed at undermining segregation. After that, many historians began to cast
Washington in a more favorable light. Those scholars apparently began to
see a value in Washington’s strategy that Ralph had recognized as a graduate
student.
Most of Ralph’s
research and scholarly interests would fall into the category of community
history. His doctoral dissertation was a groundbreaking study that examined
the roles of social and community organizations in Buffalo’s black community
in the early 20th century. During a visit to the West Coast, he
did a similar study of a community in California. He wrote an excellent
history of blacks in the downstate region of New York State. Before he left
Buffalo, Ralph was involved in the founding of the Afro-American Historical
Association of the Niagara Frontier and its journal, Afro-Americans in
New York Life and History. For 31 years he was an assistant editor of
the journal; contributing and refereeing articles, and encouraging younger
scholars to get involved in researching and writing community history.
For more than 30
years the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier has
tried to illuminate the rich history of African Americans in the history of
New York State. Ralph Watkins was an active participant in that effort.
The Association and Buffalo State College established the “Buffalo
Afro-American Microfilmed Collection,” which is now one of the nation’s
largest collections of primary sources on a regional African American
community. Ralph and I worked together to organize and index the “Buffalo
Cooperative Economic Society” papers. That large and fantastic collection
of papers of an early 20th century black Buffalo self-help group
had been stored in cardboard boxes in a garage for years because the owner
didn’t want to discard them. There was no archive or repository that wanted
a collection of papers on a local black organization. That is the problem
that led us to establish the Afro-American Historical Association of the
Niagara Frontier. Those papers became the first title to be microfilmed as
part of the “Buffalo Afro-American Collection.”
My friendship and
interactions with Ralph during more than 30 years helped to shape my life as
a historian and teacher. Ralph was a serious and no-nonsense scholar and
teacher who demanded adherence to the highest standards of academic
excellence. Over the years I worked with Ralph on many history projects,
and he always did outstanding work. Just knowing that he was on the team
and that he was available for advice and support was always a source of
personal reassurance.
With the passing
of Ralph Watkins, the history profession lost a unique voice. I lost a true
friend, and I will miss him.
Monroe Fordham, Professor Emeritus
Buffalo State College
October 2007
COMMUNITY HISTORY MAKERS:
The Story of
the Buffalo Challenger Newspaper
by Al-Nisa
Banks
The Challenger's early history is a story as compelling as
the story of the era that gave birth to its existence. In the 1960s, Black
America was at a civil/human rights crossroads. The sit-ins, demonstrations,
pickets and marches against racism and segregation in the South, and second
class citizenship for Blacks across the country, were met with violence and
hatred; with guns and fire hoses, and even death.
It was against this backdrop that The Buffalo Challenger
was born. Almost a decade after the Supreme Court Decision outlawing racial
segregation in public schools, the very first edition of the Challenger
hit the streets of Buffalo's Black community on April 11, 1963.
It was also the year that civil rights leader Medgar Evers was murdered;
that the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama was bombed
by White supremacists, killing four innocent children; and the year that Dr.
Martin Luther King made his famous "I Have A Dream Speech" at the historic
March on Washington.
The “founding Fathers” of the Challenger included former
Assemblyman Arthur O. Eve, Calvin Kimbrough and John Moore. They were the
founders of this bold, new Black voice for Buffalo's African American
community. Other early dedicated supporters included Ambrose Lane, who
served as editor, and was the first Black man to ran for mayor of the City o
f Buffalo; also the late Garfield Hinton, June Carter, Dorothy M. Hackney,
Andrew Wright, Constance B Eve, Laura Kimbrough, Fred Taborn, Ollie Adams,
Maxie Maxwell and Thelka McCall. The paper's first home was Kimbrough's
house at 33 Kingsley Street (near Jefferson). That house has since been
demolished. The home of Art and Connie Eve at 14 Celtic Place was the
paper's second location. Other locations included 561 Clinton Street, Church
and Pearl, 1294 Fillmore, 1301 Fillmore, 1303 Fillmore and 108 Sycamore.
The Challenger was a true advocate, speaking out for the
rights of Black people and offering Buffalo's Black community a real
alternative to an otherwise negative and hostile White press. Whether it
was calling for an end to de-facto segregation, reporting police brutality,
admonishing apathy among local Black leadership, or reporting national news
as it related to the Black community, the Challenger was truly a
voice of community in its early
years.
That legacy has continued under the leadership of Al-Nisa Banks
during the closing decades of the 20th century to the present.
Ms. Banks, who started out as a volunteer at the paper in 1979, serves at
the publication's helm in both the ownership capacity and as the
Challenger's editor and publisher. Together with a dedicated staff and
a host of volunteers, the Challenger has survived both as a small
business and as a community service institution, often in the face of
seemingly insurmountable odds. Under Ms. Bank’s guidance, the staff has
continued to improve the quality of the publication. Today the
Challenger has the largest circulation of any Black newspaper in the
state outside of New York City. Its core readership is located in Buffalo,
Rochester, Niagara Falls, Lackawanna and surrounding areas.
Presently located in the heart of the Jefferson Avenue Renaissance
district at 1337 Jefferson Avenue, just a few blocks from its very first
location. The Challenger is published every Wednesday and is
recognized widely, both locally and nationally, as one of the most
progressive African American newspapers in the country.
The Challenger's goals are to
continue to grow and improve its ability to communicate and disseminate
critical information; and to remain an instrument for good, and positive
change for African Americans where ever they may be.
EDITOR’S
NOTE:
The Afro-American
Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier has preserved a complete run
of the Buffalo Challenger on microfilm (April 1963-September 2007).
We update the film by adding recent issues every 5 years. Copies of
the film are catalogued at the Frank E. Merriweather Branch Library and the
William A. Miles Center for African American Studies, The Buffalo State
College Butler Library Archives, and the Buffalo State College Monroe
Fordham Center for Regional History.
COMMUNITY HISTORY MAKERS:
Dr E.E. Nelson, Founder of the Buffalo Cooperative
Economic Society
by Monroe Fordham
During the
several decades following the “great migration” of Afro-Americans to the
northern cities, the economic and social problems confronting northern black
communities became more intense. In their quest to find solutions to those
problems, and improve the quality of life in their communities, many
northern black spokesmen concluded that racial solidarity and self-help
offered the best hope. The belief in self-help and solidarity among
northern blacks during that period drew inspiration from the legacy of
Booker T. Washington and the preaching’s of Marcus Garvey. Those ideas,
coupled with the socialist influences of the depression years, contributed
to a renewed interest in the formation of economic cooperatives in northern
black communities.
In Buffalo,
New York, the most dedicated advocate of black self-help and economic
cooperation, during the depression and post-depression years, was Dr.
Ezekiel E. Nelson--a local black physician. For more than three decades
(1928 - 1961) Dr. Nelson worked with an almost fanatical zeal to convince
black Buffalonians that cooperative economics and racial solidarity would
enable the race to escape from poverty and economic oppression. He preached
that by working together, pooling their resources, and supporting their
cooperative enterprises, blacks could build powerful economic institutions
that would enable them to produce many of those goods and services that were
needed and desired by the community. He believed that such enterprises
would provide employment and income, which would enhance the ability of the
community to improve its standard of living. The profits from such ventures
were to be reinvested in the community, thus promoting further development
and improvement. Such was his dream.
Dr. Nelson was
not a native Buffalonian. He was born in Louisiana in l881. Following his
mother's death, when he was ten years old, young Nelson was sent to live
with his aunt, and uncle who were sharecroppers. That family later moved to
Texarkana, Arkansas where Nelson began his formal schooling at age fifteen.
He completed all the grades in the local black school in four years.
Following his
graduation from the Texarkana school, Nelson found employment with a local
white family who, after recognizing that he was especially talented
intellectually, urged him to continue his education. They pledged to assist
him financially if he would enroll in the Tuskegee Institute. That school
had already gained national recognition because of the work of its
founder--Booker T. Washington. Nelson declined their offer because of a
longstanding desire to attend Wilberforce University. In 1904, he left
Arkansas and journeyed to Ohio where he enrolled at Wilberforce. Initially
he enrolled in prep courses before moving into the regular college
curriculum. While at Wilberforce Nelson met and courted his future
wife—Miss Alberta F. O'Leary, an education major from Jacksonville,
Illinois. It was during those years that he also decided to become a
medical doctor.
Following his
graduation from Wilberforce in 1911, Nelson entered the medical school at
the University of Michigan. After completing three years at that
institution (Univ. of Michigan) he decided to delay his education because of
a lack of funds. After working for a time in Detroit, Nelson resumed his
education in 19l6--this time at Boston University. He graduated from the
Boston University Medical School in 1918. After his graduation he moved to
Buffalo where he had worked in the summer of 1917 as a dining car waiter.
In 1920, Nelson journeyed to Illinois where he married his college
sweetheart—Miss O'Leary. The couple decided to make Buffalo their home.
Being
financially unable to set up a medical practice following his graduation
from medical school, Dr. Nelson continued to work as a dining car waiter
with the railroad. That job took him regularly to New York City. The years
1919 - 1925 represented the peak period of the Garvey movement in the United
States. Marcus Garvey's U.N.I.A. headquarters was located in Harlem and Dr.
Nelson was frequently in attendance at the Garvey rallies whenever his
dining car job took him to New York. Nelson was deeply moved by the Garvey
doctrines of race pride, and racial uplift through unity and self-help. He
was also impressed with Garvey's style and ability to organize. By 1925,
Dr. Nelson was thoroughly convinced that black Americans could improve their
economic status through cooperative self-help. In 1927 Dr. Nelson opened
his medical practice in Buffalo. The following year he helped to organize
the Citizens Cooperative Society. He was now ready to begin implementing
some of his ideas regarding self-help and cooperative economics.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For More
than 30 years (1928-1961) Dr. Nelson worked tirelessly preaching self help
and cooperative economics. In the mid-1930s he organized the Buffalo
Cooperative Economic Society (BCES). For many years that organization
operated a cooperative grocery store. (At various times the store was
located at 323 Jefferson, the corner of William and Madison Streets, and on
Clinton Street). The idea thrived for a time during the 1940s and even into
the 1950s. However, growing prosperity and grocery chains led to the
cooperative’s demise. During the three decades of their existence, Dr.
Nelson and the coop’s board of directors kept meticulous records. Following
their demise in 1961, Dr. Nelson stored the records in cardboard boxes in
his garage at 445 Cornwall Ave. In 1974 the Afro-American Historical
Association of the Niagara Frontier preserved the records and papers of BCES
on three rolls of microfilm. Copies of the film are catalogued at the Frank
E. Merriweather Branch Library and the William A. Miles Center for African
American Studies, The Buffalo State College Butler Library Archives, and the
Buffalo State College Monroe Fordham Center for Regional History.
COMMUNITY HISTORY
MAKERS COLUMN
We invite our readers to submit
biographical or autobiographical sketches of relatives, friends, or even
themselves, if they believe such persons have made significant contributions
to our community. We also welcome histories of churches or other
institutions that are important to the community. If you feel sensitive
about writing a narrative, send us a memo expressing you interest in telling
about a person, event, or institution in community history and we will call
you and interview you on the phone and write the narrative for you. There
is no excuse for not getting our history into the record. Do it today.
31st ANNUAL FAMILY HISTORY
DINNER
The Afro Historical Association of the
Niagara Frontier’s 31st Annual Family History Dinner/Annual Meeting will be
held Friday, May 2nd 6:45 P.M. at the New Golden Nugget, 2046 Fillmore
Avenue.
Dr. Barbara Nevergold and Dr. Peggy Brooks
Bertram will be the History presenters. Their presentation will trace the
origin of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on
Women, Inc. The presentation will offer an overview of the Uncrowned Queens
model of historical preservation that employs individual histories examined
within a regional framework. There will be discussion of the signature
activities of the Institute, e.g., the Uncrowned Queens Website and
expansion into Uncrowned Kings. They will also discuss the nationalization
of the Uncrowned Community Builders beginning in Oklahoma.
The William Wells
Brown Awards for the preservation of African American History will be
presented to President Muriel Howard, of Buffalo State College, and Dr. E.
O. Smith, Jr., also of Buffalo State College, for their contributions to the
study of African American and community history
Tickets for this
event are $25 and can be obtained by sending payment made payable to AAHANF
to; M. Scott, 5 Coronation Drive, Amherst, NY 14226. Advance reservations
are required.
THE 31st ANNUAL CARTER G.
WOODSON
LOCAL HISTORY
ESSAY CONTEST
The
Afro-American Historical Association’s 31st Annual Carter G.
Woodson Local History Essay Contest was held on Saturday, February 16, at
the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Branch Library. The program featured the top
three essays in each of the three age group categories. Students from local
public and private schools wrote on the topic, “A Tribute to an African
American ‘Uncrowned King’ in Western New York.” The annual contest offered
three cash prizes in each age group category.
Mrs. Sharon
Holley has been the Association’s chair and coordinator of the contest for
the entire 31 years. Her committee included Mrs. Sandra Bush and Ms. Pam
Fordham. The program was co-sponsored by the Buffalo Public School’s Social
Studies Dept., the Buffalo & Erie Countys Library’s Department of Extension
Services, the Merriweather Branch Library and William A. Miles Center for
African American Studies, the Lit-Mus Club, the Buffalo NAACP Branch ACT-SO
Program, and the Uncrowned Queens Institute, Inc.
The 1st,
2nd, and 3rd prize essays in each age group category
are printed below:
1st Place – Grades 4-6
Ana Sofia Stieglitz
Grade 4, Bennett Park Montessori Center
Pastor
Richard D. Hague, Jr.
Pastor Hague's full name is Pastor Richard D . Hague, Jr.
He was born on February 9, 1949. He is the Senior Pastor at the Mount Erie
Baptist Church in Niagara Falls. Pastor Hague was the lead applicant on the
Board of Directors of the Niagara Charter School. He is a member of the
Board of Directors of the Independent Health Foundation and of 18 other
important organizations. Pastor Hague got his License to be a Pastor on
November 12th, 1971. He became a Senior Pastor at Mount Erie Baptist Church
on September 11, 1984. As you can see, Pastor Hague is a very important
person in the Western New York community.
Pastor Hague holds many degrees and is enrolled in a Doctorial
program in Endenberg, Indiana. He has been married to his wife for 35 years
and has four sons and one daughter.
This man has shown a lot of courage in his life. Pastor Hague was
a Veteran in the 25th Infantry Division and was awarded two Purple Hearts.
While in combat, he got three very serious illnesses. He was also run over
by an automobile and given six months to live from a stroke and a brain
tumor in 1981. That was 27 years ago. So, the doctor was wrong.
This is one of Pastor Hague's favorite Christmas stories: About
60 years ago his father and mother got married and 9 months later they had
Pastor Hague. They had a hard time with money. His mother sewed a quilt
and put a lot of love into it. It was worth more than MONEY. Her "love
gift" gave more than just one time of the year for joy.
Pastor Hague helps people during his life. His theme is "to help
individuals be all that God has intended for them to be and help them make
it from Earth to Heaven". I think Pastor Hague should be an "Uncrowned King"
because he helps people in his life.
2nd Place – Grades 4-6
Winston Douglas Jr.
Grade 4, `King’s
Center Charter School
Roosevelt A.
Nixon
My Grandfather is the best. He cuts my
hair, teaches me to be kind to people, but most of all, he taught me to give
back to people. My granddad is a good man. He told me it was my
responsibility to give back. I gave back by volunteering with my granddad
doing "Meals on Wheels". He takes me to peoples' houses to give them food.
But he also gives them something else I like the most, his wonderful
granddad smile and laugh.
It is a good feeling to go to feed people who cannot get out of
the house, or who can't get food by themselves. I also like to sing to the
people and make them smile and laugh. Many of the ladies say that I am cute
and adorable. I like making older people smile because they are all alone.
I know they don't like it either.
I think my grandfather is a King because he
helps take care of me and my family. My dad works all the time, so my
granddad teaches me many things. He is a leader in his church, a volunteer
for "Meals on Wheels," and helps people who don't have a car get food. He
is a role model and reminds me to pray. My granddad is a superhero. He has
awards for all kinds of sports and is great. I am truly blessed to be the
Prince to King Roosevelt A. Nixon, son of William and Lillian Nixon, and
granddad to me.
3rd Place – Grades 4-6
Aurora Vasquez
Grade 6, Lorraine Elementary School
William Wells
Brown
I think William Wells Brown is important
in African American history. He was born in 1815 in Lexington Kentucky.
His dad was a white owner. He held diverse jobs as a youth which gave him
first hand knowledge of the slave era. He was a fugitive slave. He escaped
from slavery in January of 1834. William was the first African American to
publish a novel, a play, a travel book, a military study of his people and a
study of the black sociology. He wrote the Black Man: His Antecedents,
His Genius, and His Achievements, and The Negro in the American Rebellion:
His Heroism and His Fidelity. His final book was My Southern Home or the
South and its People appeared in 1880. After his escape from slavery he
taught himself to read and write.
He became an active abolitionist. While he was
working as a journalist for the abolitionist cause, he helped slaves escape
to Canada and freedom in the Underground Railroad After moving to Buffalo
he continued to participate in the Underground Railroad. He married
Elizabeth Schooner a free black woman. They had 3 children. He went to
Europe and his wife died. In 1858 he published the first play by an African
American. He married Elizabeth Grey in 1860. He contributed to Frederick
Douglass’ Mewspaper, The Liberator, The National Anti Slavery Standard, and
the London Daily News. William Wells Brown died on November 6, 1884. That
is why I think William Wells Brown should be an Uncrowned King.
1st Place – Grades 7-9
Kejuan Johnson
Grade 8, School #6
William Wells
Brown
Do you know the first African American to publish a play or
novel? William Wells Brown is that person and he was born in 1814 in
Lexington, Kentucky. He was the product of a white plantation owner and a
slave woman named Elizabeth.
William Wells Brown was a slave for many years and he was hired
out to be the captain of a St. Louis steamboat. He then started to work at a
printing office and there he met Elijah P. Lovejoy who was an abolitionist.
Later,-he started to work back on the steamboat and on New Year's Day 1834
he slipped away. Do you know where he ended up? A Quaker who aided him in
his escape led him to Western New York.
In the summer of 1834 he met and married a free black woman
Elizabeth Schooner. In 1836 he moved to Buffalo, New York where he began
his inspiring career as an abolitionist by attending meetings of the Western
New York Anti-Slavery Society. In the 1840's, William was a conductor of
the Underground Railroad. In the summer of 1834 William Wells Brown helped
69 fugitive slaves escape to Canada. Among these slaves was a family in
which a slave catcher came to recapture. Brown along with fifty armed
African American men defended the slave family and told the slave catcher he
couldn't take them. Via the Black Rock ferry, they took them to St.
Catherines, Ontario where they were then freed.
William Wells Brown career hit a critical period when Buffalo
hosted a national anti-slavery convention. He became friends with many
abolitionists such a Charles L. Reason (the first African American Math
teacher at an all white college) and Fredrick Douglas. He even endured abuse
such as in the case of when he traveled to Attica, New York to present a
lecture at a church. When he tried to lodge at a local hotel, his welcome
was rejected. He ended up spending the night on the cold, hard church
floor. In 1844 he went to present another lecture in East Aurora, New York
and he was bombarded with eggs and other items.
William Wells Brown gave over a thousand speeches and even
lectured in Europe therefore making his career even more far reaching.
Another accomplishment he had was being a very successful author and play
writer. He wrote novels such as "The President's Daughter," "My Southern
Home," and "The Rising Son." The publication of those works as well as
others, established him "as the most prolific black literary figure
in the mid nineteenth century."
He had so many contributions to the African American community
that he had an award named after him and a memorial plaque is located on
Pine Street in Buffalo, New York. Mr. William Wells Brown should be the
next uncrowned king because he was not only a slave that was victimized but
he was also a man who took it upon himself to help others, even if it cost
him his life.
2nd Place - Grades 7-9
Shawnja Pratt
Grade 9, Amherst High School
Felton L.
Davis
Some people may not know Felton L. Davis,
an uncrowned king in Western New York, but I do. He has been a great
contributor to all of Buffalo and a voice for the people of our city. Mr.
Davis is intelligent, caring and dependable. He has a beautiful wife of 33
years, and 2 daughters who are teachers who he loves very much.
Felton L. Davis was born in Willard, Ohio. He was an adorable
little baby boy. He was raised by his mother Bea Davis and his aunt, Mrs.
Margaret Davidson. Although he only had a mother figure in the household, he
still had male role models. While growing up he had uncles, school
principals, Sunday school teachers, scout masters and many more men who were
all good examples in his life. During his childhood years he was introduced
to the Boy Scouts who taught him many traits he uses today like citizenship,
self confidence and courage. He also earned his Eagle Scout’s badge.
One of the challenges of his childhood was that he moved several
times. He had to learn how to make friends and adapt to his surrounding in
each of the three different states in which he lived during grades K-12.
However, Mr. Davis always loved school. Reading was one of the things that
helped him throughout his life. He went on to college at Southern
University, and then transferred into the military. He served 20 years in
the military and was a Major when he left active duty. He loved to do this
and said he would do it even if it was a non-paying position. In the
military he studied to attain his Masters in Business from Louisiana State
University. In addition to his degrees, he has received numerous
certificates in many things. For example he is a certified teacher,
principal and pilot.
Mr. Davis is very involved with the Buffalo community. He has been
a substitute teacher at many schools including Amherst High School. He is
also a district commissioner in the Niagara Frontier Council of the Boy
Scouts of America. Felton Davis is part of many organizations like the
Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA),
the National Council of Teachers of Math (NCTM), and the NAACP, just to
name a few. Mr. Davis is also the Chapter President of the Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc. His work does not stop there; he also is very involved with
his church. Mr. Davis loves volunteering at the airport, helping with
customer service, and he sells newspapers for Kids’ Day, and helps raise
funds for the March of Dimes.
In spite of all of his work, many people would say that he is a
very modest man. Felton Davis believes that since the role models he looked
up to helped him along the way, he should assist people who need support.
This is why I believe that Felton L. Davis deserves to be an “uncrowned
king” of Western New York.
3rd Place – Grades 7-9
De-jon T. Brice
Grade 8, Frank A. Sedita Academy
James Keefe
Morrell
An African-American King in Western New York who deserves to be
recognized is Mr. James Keefe Morrell. James was born and raised in the city
of Buffalo. He was raised by his late mother, Ms. Yvonne L. Morrell (whom
was named Uncrowned Queen in 2007) along with his five sisters, Stephanie,
Jacqueline, Carolyn, Angela, and Shareen. Being raised in a home full of
women he learned to be respectful, loving and due to his mother's passion
for education, learned that education is the key to success.
James graduated from the University at
Buffalo where he received a Bachelor of Arts (B A) degree in Design and a
Masters of Urban Planning (MUP) degree. James is currently the
Superintendent of Route Planning with the Niagara Frontier Transportation
Authority (NFTA). His responsibilities include planning Metro Bus Routes in
Erie and Niagara County. He is also responsible for providing Metro Bus
Service for the Buffalo Board of Education and the development of
Transportation programs for Welfare to Work (TANF) clients.
James is married to Fatima Morrell. He is the father of four
children, James Jr, Delorian, Khalil and Zhara and grandfather to Anya. He
is also a surrogate father to my entire family and me. After the untimely
death of Yvonne, he stepped in as leader of the family.
In our family James is lovingly called Uncle Keefe. He is the one
to call for any and everything. He shows by example that an education,
strong faith and community involvement positively affects your life and
those around you. Uncle Keefe volunteers his time on a number of committees
and broads throughout the city of Buffalo. In 2005 he was the Chairman of
the Taste of Buffalo, responsible for the overall planning, operation and
implementation of the 2005 Taste of Buffalo. Uncle Keefe has been a
volunteer with the Taste of Buffalo for over 12 years. I along with several
of my older cousins and both my uncles have volunteered at the Taste of
Buffalo.
His commitment to his community is
never-ending. In 2007 he became a first time T-ball Coach for National
Inner Cities Youth Opportunity Organization (N.I.C.Y.O.). His team the
Homestead Grays represented past Negro National League players. With no
previous coaching experience, he gathered information and passed it on to
his parent-volunteers and players. With support, encouragement, and
patience the team won its series his first time coaching. Uncle Keefe also
holds other board positions on the City of Buffalo Planning Board. As a
Planning Board member, he is responsible for evaluating proposed
developments within the City of Buffalo under the citywide Site Plan Review
process.
Uncle Keefe maintains his faith attending St. Martin DePorres R.C.
Church where he is also the Boy Scout Leader of Troop #139. Uncle Keefe is
also an Adjunct Assistant Professor within the School of Architecture &
Planning at the University at Buffalo, teaching a graduate level course in
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Uncle Keefe is also a member of Kappa
Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc
Uncle Keefe and the life he leads demonstrate that you do not have
to become a product of your environment of give in to the pit falls and
obstacles that life throws at you. As a young African-American male it is
sometime difficult to find strong, positive, inspiring role-model, that is
why I am blessed to have him in my life and it's an honor to share him. All
these factors demonstrate his ability to be crowned King.
3rd Place – Grades 7-9
John Stevens
Grade 9,
McKinley High School
Samuel T.
Reynolds
Mr. Samuel T. Reynolds is one of Buffalo’s Uncrowned Kings. He earned a
Bachelors of Science in Biology from Grambling State University of
Louisiana. He has also earned a Masters of Science in Education and a
Masters of Science in Administration and Supervision from Niagara
University. Currently, Mr. Reynolds works as a Buffalo Public School
teacher at Futures Academy where he teaches grade seven and eight science.
Mr. Reynolds has been teaching in the city of Buffalo for over 15 years.
Mr. Reynolds, known as Ty (Tyrone) by most of his
peers, has contributed much of his time and dedication to the youth of
Buffalo. One thing that Mr. Reynolds feels very strongly about is getting
young people to solve their problems without resorting to violence. He
spends a lot of time mentoring young people and inspiring young people to
get good grades. Mr. Reynolds also believes in instilling good values and
decision-making skills for children in the inner city. He has helped to
turn around the lives of many young men and women in the city of Buffalo.
Many of these young people have even gone on to become college graduates or
have pursued careers in the military.
Furthermore, Mr. Reynolds has had a positive
impact on the Buffalo area by working with a youth organization known as
Kappa Phi. Mr. Reynolds solely started this organization almost 20 years
ago and still works with the young men today. In the organization, Mr:
Reynolds cultivates high academic standards, community service, brotherhood
and cultural awareness into the young membership.
With all the gang activity going on in the city of Buffalo and
around the country it is nice to see someone who is trying to do something
positive with our youth. Often times we see young black males like myself
being depicted as criminals and gang bangers on the news and in me paper.
It is good to know that Mr. Reynolds is doing something to show that young
black people can do something positive
Although Mr. Reynolds is highly known in Buffalo for all of his
hard work with youth, he is not crowned as a King. He should be crowned for
all of the contributions he has already made. This is not to mention all
the hard work that he will contribute to Buffalo in the years to come.
1st Place, Grades 10-12
Carlicia Williams
Grade 11, Mckinley High Scholl
Officer
Darryl Dewayne Williams
Officer Darryl Dewayne Williams was
born in Buffalo, New York to the late Carolyn Clark and Carl Lee Williams on
November 10, 1966 at sisters of charity hospital. He was a student of
Buffalo public schools. He attended South Park high school where his
extra-curricular activities included football, the traveling band and choir,
marching band, stage band, swim team, track team, and all city choir. There
he graduated and received his high school diploma.
Instead of going straight into college
Darryl decided to join the United States Marine Corps, where he served four
years. While serving in the Marines Darryl was an Amphibious Assault Crew
Chief, and military policeman. He was stationed in 29 palms California
seventh marine battalion. He also played football for headquarters
battalion. While in the Marine Corps he was meritoriously promoted to the
rank of corporal. While in the marines he also maintained expert in
firearms throughout his whole term.
In November of 1988, after successfully
fulfilling his obligation, he was honorably discharged from the service. He
then took the Buffalo police exam in January of 1989 but decided to go to
college. Darryl attended the University of Buffalo majoring in engineering
in September 1989. He left college prior to graduation to pursue a career
in law enforcement. In august of 1991 he was appointed to the rank of
police where he still abides today. Officer Williams has been a police
officer for seventeen years and soon has the hopes of becoming a lieutenant.
Darryl is happily married to Kimberlyn
Williams and a proud father of five. Marcea, Deshon, Iva, Carlicia, and
Tamiko Williams and a grandfather to one Ma'Riyah Gray. He attends Greater
Refuge Temple of Christ where he services as a Stewart, armor barer, and a
member of the recording choir. He was also the little league coach for the
fruit belt rockets in 1996-1998. Officer has earned many accommodations and
citations and has also been involved in special squads and tactical units.
He is a member of the AAPA (African American Police Association).
I believe that Officer Williams is an uncrowned king because of
the things he does not only in his line of work but in his fatherly duties
and the impact he has in so many people's lives. Officer Williams fights
crime day in and day out and I don't think people give him or any other cop
the honor due to them for that. Without police officers there would be
absolutely no order in this world. And no one knows the thing's he endures
on a daily just to make sure all of buffalo is safe. He puts his own life in
jeopardy for the safety of others. Not only is he an awesome law enforcer
but he is a magnificent role model. Officer Williams is always there to lend
a helping hand rather it is to friends, family, or just someone in need. He
is a God fearing man who lives a life of dignity one that would put a smile
upon a face of even the coldest heart. He shows young men how to not only
be respectful but supercede the expectations of all and be more than you can
ever imagine. I in fact know the impact of Officer Williams first hand. He
is my father. Not only is he a major influence to the community .and church
but also in his own household. I can definitely say that it is an honor and
a privilege to have such a wonder and caring father who is always there and
involved in my life not many people can say that. that their fathers were
around but I'm proud to say that mines was. As I sit back and see the
impact my father has made in my life and so many others I can only pray that
God will bless me with a husband with just as much will power, dignity,
determination, and integrity as my father has to be able to impact the
generations to come.
If there is any man worthy of being an uncrowned king I believe it
to be Officer Darryl Williams he is so much more than just another police
officer. He is the definition of determination and the display of pure kind
heartedness he gives to others even if it's all that he has. He is truly an
uncrowned king.
2nd Place – Grades 10-12
Cierra Belton
Grade 12, Amherst Central High School
Quadir Lateef
Habeeb
Many lives were touched in the short life span of Quadir Lateef
Habeeb. To have the ability to touch a person's life who you don't even
know, is amazing. Habeeb had that ability. Habeeb exemplified
characteristics of a true African American king. Brother Habeeb was a
businessman, community activist, devout father and husband.
Quadir Lateef Habeeb, born December 11, 1951 in Buffalo NY as
Arnold W. Wilson, touched every person he came in contact with, young and
old. Habeeb was married to Donna Belton and together they had six children
and sixteen grandchildren. Whether it was his kind heart or his words of
wisdom Habeeb, a humble man, left a lasting impression. My memories of my
late uncle add to the many memories others shared of him. Habeeb's
impression on my life will stay with me forever. The one thing I'll always
remember is my uncle telling me how important it is to excel in school. My
uncle was a very motivational person.
Habeeb was full of wisdom. Graduate of Erie Community College as a
registered nurse, Habeeb was devoted to helping people. One time my uncle
attempted to apply first aid to a victim in a drive by shooting. Habeeb had
a kind soul.
Habeeb was a scholar; he loved to read and because of his passion
he taught himself Arabic. Habeeb was a business man. He was the proprietor
of Habeeb's Body Oils, located on Fillmore Ave. Before Habeeb opened his
shop he sold oils and incense out of his house and door to door. When
people would bring Habeeb oils that were unknown to them, Habeeb had the
ability to tell them the names of the oils just by their scent. Habeeb made
it his goal to help any and everyone who needed it. He exemplified honesty,
integrity and commitment while living an honorable life. Habeeb would
converse with boys on the corner that lived challenging lives. He would
give the young men oils and incense to sell, telling them they would make
one hundred percent profit. This was Habeeb's way of giving them hope for a
better lifestyle, and teaching them other ways than the streets.
His wife, Donna Belton said, "To this day I get
the utmost respect, people still come and speak to me about my husband."
Habeeb's impact on people's lives was very evident. Habeeb received
numerous awards because of his dedication to the community. Before his
death Habeeb received the Community Service Award for twenty-seven years of
dedicated service, and the Pioneers Award which both he and his wife, Donna
received. Even after his death
Habeeb has been recognized. The Fillmore Business Associated Award and the
Network of Religious Communities Award were also given to Habeeb,
posthumously.
3rd Place – Grades 10-12
Delicia Jones
Grade 12, McKinley High School
Dwight Hayes
My uncle Dwight Hayes was a coach for our youth football team, the
Buffalo Vets. Mr. Hayes stayed devoted to his football team and still took
good care of his family. He balanced the two. The field he coached on was
the Manhattan Park field, home of the Buffalo Vets. My uncle was the most
devoted coach on that field. The organization was so impressed with his
coaching they made him president of the organization.
My uncle, Dwight Hayes passed away November 22, 2002. They held
his funeral Wednesday, the 27th of November in 2002, it Bay Spring Church of
God of Prophecy. The church overflowed with all kinds of people. Everyone
was standing shoulder to shoulder. My uncle used to get his young athletes
at a young age to keep them out of the streets and show them the meaning of
hard work, goals to reach, and just plain fun. He instituted a
developmental program and began teaching them the basics when they were 5
years old. In his own words,, “the earlier they received structure and
reassurance, the more likely they'd be to embrace the program. It made him
happy knowing the kids will be limited there from getting into trouble,
“said his wife of 27 years. (my aunt). He just loved those kids and those
kids loved him. He did everything, he could to encourage them to do the
right thing.” My uncle put in years of his life putting faith to teach and
guide and enrich the communities by helping shape young lives. My uncle
also contributed to the Buffalo News. He was a photoengraver. They said he
was easy going, quick to smile, and his enthusiasm was infectious, and I
agree. Once there was a time when the Vets talked of moving their home
field but my uncle changed their mind. He told them just look at the
tradition, the history, he would tell them these kids are playing on the
same field as their fathers, and grandfathers. He changed their mind.
That's why I say my uncle, Dwight Hayes is the uncrowned king of 2008.
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