Old School Thoughts

Humility means a lot to me, personally. Tracy Gray epitomizes humility as she continued to express respect for her “Mothers Of My Mothers.” That is a profound statement. Tracy extends her narrative to include descendants of Vicksburg, Mississippi - Chicago - to New York.

During this tribute to Inspiring Women, Tracy Gray introduces us to a 14 year old girl whose unfortunate exit from Tuscaloosa, Alabama became a road to high standards and excellence for generations of women descendants to emulate. Up From Tuscaloosa is a historical narrative of trials, perseverance, and excellence.

LaTonya shares how her grandmother, mother, daughter, and mentors helped shape her values and perspectives about growing up “Woman.” We can learn things in many different ways. That is what I gathered from LaTonya’s testimony.

Ms. Latavia Price shares her thoughts about how her grandmother and mother influenced her values and perspective about life. She closes out this episode with a song that she learned from listening to her grandmother. This is the second episode of many that will focus on the woman and or women who were influential in our lives.

Overseer Willie Haynes returned, as a guest, to share his personal tribute to his mother, Sweetie Mae Haynes. Willie compared his mother to the engine that kept the family united. This tribute to Sweetie Mae Haynes is being presented as a representation of Black/African American and Women’s History.

How do we, as Black/African Americans, value our history? Do we reach back and tell the truth or have we moved forward to focus on what is now? There is no new thing under the sun and our stories are repeating themselves. How do you see Black/African American History and Month?

Ricky Porter is sharing his story about a gospel group he organized named Destiny. This followed my visit to his home, this afternoon, and listening to a VHS tape of Destiny performing. As I was watching, I was happy and sad because they were so good, but also represented another hidden story in African American history.

During this episode, I thought about how many generations passed down the untruth (unintentionally) that all documents that link us to our ancestors do not exist because they were all destroyed. It is sad that school administrators allowed that myth to continue even when “Roots” was shown on television in 1977. I never knew there was a “Genealogy” department in the public library. The educators he...

This is the first episode of 2021 that reflects on 2020, family, and the recent insurrection at the US Capitol Building in Washington DC. I am asking listeners to share their old school stories as part of their legacies. Happy New Year to all of you.

This episode is a blessing because God granted my son and me the opportunity to sit side-by-side, during this Corona pandemic, for a shared interview. He is one-half of the duo podcast titled Jay Raised Us. He and Mos are creating an excellent podcast that focuses on music Jay-Z. I have had the opportunity of listening to each episode and paid much attention to their level of comfort, maturity, an...

This episode was sparked by a question posed to me by my wife. She asked how did my parents talk to me about the birds and the bees. After considerable thought, I realized that my experience (boys) had to be different from little girls. How were you taught about the Birds and the Bees?

Michaella expands on the conversation provided by Sakinah (Hall) Franklin during the previous episode. Michaella shares her similarities with Sakinah along with her genuine concern for mentoring girls, boys, men, and women.

I invited Sakinah Franklin to give us a woman’s perspective on old school values that shaped her life. Sakinah is a retired US Army Veteran who demonstrated leadership as a noncommissioned officer and commissioned officer. During the interview, Sakinah briefly spoke about the traditional roles of men and women and how those roles were changing. This is another great lesson.

This episode explores the impact and or meaning of empathy. We all have used the concept of empathy in an effort to console or help others in need, but something has happened. Millions of people/children are losing jobs, homes, the ability to sustain in this wealthy country. I am always attempting to wear somebody else’s shoes. What about you?

First, I would like to thank Cousin Michaella Titus-Terrell for inviting us into her preparation for Thanksgiving Dinner. As we give thanks please consider those who are without. This episode examines the impact slavery had on the lives of Africans throughout the Diaspora. The colonization and propaganda have affected us by removing languages, traditions, customs, religions, songs, stories and mor...

This is the week of Thanksgiving. People are planning and reminiscing as they prepare to celebrate this annual period to give thanks. God led me to ask Cousin Michaella Titus to get us in the right frame of mind as we remember those before us and how we take on the responsibility to move traditions and customs forward. During this pandemic and just life itself, we have lost a lot of loved ones alo...

Willie Haynes continues to share his experiences as the son of a sharecropper during the 70’s in Calhoun County Georgia. He shares his stories of the “rolling store” and decision to join the US Army. As I listen to my friend, Willie, tell his story, I imagine the estimated four million Africans-in-America who were released from slavery with nothing, but a statement of “you’re free.” They were rele...

I would usually publish new episodes on late Wednesday or early Thursday, but this message is too powerful for me to keep from you another day. We need to listen to what Willie Haynes has to say about growing up as a son of a sharecropper in Calhoun County, Georgia. Listening to Mr. Willie give honor to those who paved the way is an emotional thing to absorb. If you like the episode, send him a me...

“This is a conversation that needs to be had,” says Stephanie Coleman-Mack as she shares her feelings about learning that her father was not her biological father. She and I discussed the positive and negative impact of the adage “It takes a village to raise a child.” This is one of those old school topics that causes one to say, “That’s deep.”

Pastor James Daniels and I explore the psychological impact of poverty and discussed what is considered poor. Many of our ancestors left the South to pursue a better standard of living in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Indiana, Chicago, and etc. Overt discrimination laws managed the South.

Darrell Sumbry and I are taking you on a vicarious trip down memory lane to the neighborhood corner store. It was amazing what we were able to buy with .25 cents. What would you buy with a quarter at your neighborhood corner store?

Gail Bellamy-Mitchell agreed to be my first guest on Old School Thoughts. This title is based on a suggestion she submitted to me to talk about when the county fair was divided into “White Day” and “Black Day.” Having a guest has been a goal of mine for this podcast and here we are. I really enjoyed the conversation with Cousin Gail Bellamy-Mitchell. I hope you enjoy it - as well.

This episode is examining what might have caused the breakdown of communication amongst African Americans. Deception, a sense of self-improvement, and a change in communicating have always attributed to separation. Now, it is difficult to give the greeting of the day.

So much of our history has been lost due to death and the reluctance to share family jewels of secrets. Genealogy is so important to knowing where you have come from as you manage where you are, today. There is a fear of talking to real people during this era of social media. Tell your stories because as each generation passes - so goes your history.

Ricky and Gregg decided to roll back the clock of history to join two middle school neighbors in street football. It was great to watch and funny at the same time. Go Old School!!!