Old School Thoughts

Wow! Lade Breez came in and dropped some valuable golden nuggets in this episode! I never thought about how the constant impact of African-American life and struggles to be treated with equality and dignity could cause post traumatic syndrome for an entire group of people. Most of us wake up, each day, putting on an exterior of armor to protect our inner being and relationship with God. Lade Breez...

I tried to create the scene of having an old school conversation while sitting on the porch - involved in a conversation with some of my neighbors. We were doing it like our ancestors would do. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

This episode is an extension of S2:E46. Ms. Cheryl Averett Johnson is the mother of Wayne Johnson and co-organizer of Fathers And Sons Under The Sun. I wanted to give her a full segment to share her thoughts - as a mother - and to explain her influence as an “Old School” mom.

On 26 June 2021, I attended a community event that was announced via the radio, and was introduced to Mr. Wayne Johnson. He was the co-organizer along with his mother. I was so impressed watching a young man taking on a big project of bringing fathers/men and sons/boys together. He agreed to give me a portion of his time for this interview.

This episode examines the making of Juneteenth: The Holiday 2021. It covers the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth Amendment, May Day, and generational attitudes.

With all that is going on: Family Generations dying, rediscovering African American History, the Republican attack on the education system, I am wondering who is paying attention? What history is being lost and or covered up by ignorance and or by apathy? We have difficult days ahead, but We Shall Overcome!!

This episode represents a compilation of conversations I had that I considered to be very interesting. What kind of conversation would you have with your mother, father, or other deceased family member? Do you remember the majorettes in the Marching bands? What mores and values do you recall from your parents and or other ancestors? Talk to me.

I was happy to have my niece, Renee, as a guest to share her experience as a fan and supporter of the annual WOKS Talent Show(s). Though she followed my generation, her experience was the same as mine. The participants/contestants were amazing! They were singing and dancing. Some of the singers were a complete surprise due to their social reputations. There were no fights - no gun violence.

I chose this title because of repeated behaviors I encounter while moving about from place-to-place in Columbus, Georgia. I have tried to understand those behaviors though some are downright frustrating to witness. The social climate is filled with apprehension. There are people, with good intentions to be nice, who seem to display apprehension because they don’t know what responses to expect from...

This episode is a reminder that we cannot allow ourselves to give up on children/people based on their social environment and or acquaintances. We have to apply the three parables Jesus laid out for us: The Lost Sheep, The Prodigal Son, and The Lost Coin. It is unfortunate that those who are doing well seem to go overlooked, but we must encourage them to keep their eyes on the prize/God. The use o...

This episode is a call out to my senior listeners to share stories that were experienced are passed down through their respective family’s history. We have so much to leave the next generation with. It is almost an obligation to pass on those or your own valuable stories.

This episode, by Frank Goodman, was prepared to pay tribute to mothers for the comfort only they can provide bode their children. I recognized Stephanie Coleman-Mack for her diligence to graduate with a doctorate degree. Then there is a tribute to the Matriarchs in The Family. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Today, Vijay and I were talking, like we occasionally do, and he began to share some information about his relation with his father and some Indian traditions and culture. The conversation was so revealing that I asked him to join me as a guest on Old School Thoughts and he accepted.

The lynching of George Floyd was so great that I wanted to get a perspective from a young voice, a future generation communicator and I found that voice in Demeka Daniels. Demeka delivered and I listened. It was so refreshing to hear her layout her thoughts in a way that combined future hopes and present conditions with the past.

I really enjoyed listening to our 70’s baby as he reflected on the influencers in his life. He focused on lessons from his parents and family gathering that included uncles and aunts. I liked hearing about the government cheese. Great memories!!

Darrell Sumbry called me, after listening to the episode featuring Linda Brown-Wardlow), requesting to record a follow-up to her story because he was able to identify with her experience. The conversation was worth having.

Nothing about this episode was designed for final posting. The introduction and the beginning stage of this discussion were recorded as a draft to help Linda move beyond her nervousness, but God had a better plan and here we are with a final product. Like always, there are no edits - just honest conversation. Linda listened to her recording and decided to have this episode posted for others to hea...

When Leora Adams closed our interview, she offered to pass the microphone to her daughter, Bev, but I asked to end our conversation - first. (Lol) This is truly a blessing to have Bev (Beverly Adams-Hardin) as another special guest. Beverly demonstrated the impact her mother and aunt had on her life when I heard her sound like her mother and constantly giving credit to their advice and “Show Me” v...

I want to thank Chloe Naves and Beverly Adams-Hardin for arranging this interview with Ms. Leora Adams. Ms. Leora is 100 years old and “all right mentally and physically.” She chose her mother, Ms. Hattie Henry Garrett, as the woman who inspired her most. I really enjoyed meeting Ms. Leora and look forward to our next conversation.

Ms. Perrion Roberts accepted my invitation to interview her about the woman or women who had the greatest influence in her life. She explains that even during her darkest era, the words of her mother and grandmother were able to infiltrate her thoughts and become the stable foundation for her transitional lifestyle.

Flora Jones did a magnificent job at describing inspiration that she received from her grandmother, aunt, godmother by assessing where she stood and how she wanted to live. Flora is grounded in prayer and selfless service. Her desire to become a professional in the field of mental healthcare says a lot about her own stability. It cements her desire to help stabilize the lives of others - of famili...

This podcast has had a tremendous impact on my life. When I reflect on “Old School Events” - I can see all of the characters involved. I am now able to realize the cultural, racial, and systemic intricacies of those experiences. The recordings that we are leaving behind will become part of our legacies and I thank you for your support. Share your stories.

Darrolyn Brown provided another amazing story to our collection of lessons by acknowledging her mother, as the woman who made the most impactful impression on her life. The journey - between this mother and daughter team - was about instilling confidence, pursuing education, demonstrating perseverance, Black Panther Party experience and more. It is easy to get someone to repeat slogans, but gettin...

Chloe added her legacy of wisdom to this archive of extraordinary testimonies when she shared the wisdom of her mother and paternal grandmother. Her mother taught her and her siblings how to pray and turn it over to God and her paternal grandmother instilled the will of “self identity.” This is another powerful testimony. Thank you, Chloe.

During this episode, First Lady Marilyn Daniels’ shares the wisdom of her mother: Ms. Gertrude Price. First Lady Daniels credited women from the Bible to Vice President Kamala Harris, but her greatest influencer was her mother. She said, “Whenever I encourage my daughters, I hear my mother.”