Old School Thoughts

My birthday represents freedom based on the day the House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to end slavery. I always picture myself responding to the day of being told that freedom has come after 246 years of traditional bondage. All that is important to me is to search for family members dispatched along the way. Every time I meet new family members and friends, I feel that I have give...

The second part of my conversation with the father and sons trio was filled with advice, maturity, and leadership. I asked all three individuals if the historical event has sunk in with them and what advice would they share with those following their footsteps? I was profoundly impressed.

On 6 May 2022, families and friends gathered at the University of South Carolina Horseshoe to witness the commissioning and pinning of twin brothers: Juwan and Travon Biggers. I requested an interview with them and their father, 1SG (Ret) Hunter Biggers III, and they all accepted. Please listen to this story of US/African American history. Like all of our past and present historical figures, these...

Throughout my adult life, I have heard of African Americans being referred to as “forgiving people.” We seem to embrace it to a fault because we fail to hold people accountable. That leaves us as being exposed as vulnerable and weak. This title has to do with me questioning how we respond to situations affecting us, our communities, and our legacies. People and events are erased each time we forge...

I decided to record this episode because I got the opportunity to be a playground teacher for a day. On 14 April 2022, I was spending time with my granddaughter on a nearby playground and we got the opportunity to interact with other children like old school days. Not only did I get to see the children have fun, I enjoyed being a playground teacher for a day. Until next time - Be Good!!

On 4 April 2022, Gloria and I made an unplanned drive to Greenville, Georgia. We drove “through the back roads” to see the names of small cities along the way. When I reached Greenville, I stumbled across relatives filled with promising information. I revisited another Antwone Fisher moment. Though I don’t know what the future holds, I left feeling good!

This episode focuses on a time when we shared the propensity to build by sharing the spirit of giving and receiving in the community. There is a difference between legalize segregation and segregation and some of us don’t recognize it and didn’t see it coming. I hope you enjoy the episode and share with others. Until next time - Be Good!!

This is part three of my conversation with Alberta Winston Casey Foster that took place on 19 March 2022. This has been an enjoyable lesson and I have loved every bit of it! I truly love all of my matriarchs! Please listen and pass on to others. This was truly a Master Class.

If you enjoyed my first conversation with Alberta Winston Casey Foster, you are going to enjoy part two of her three part interview. In this conversation, Alberta talks about the importance of acquiring property and land along with leaving a legacy for the next generation. If you like this episode, please share it with others.

This is part one of a three part series. If any of you have been following Old School Thoughts, you know that I love maternal advice from our matriarchs. That is what Cousin Alberta shared during our first interview together. Cousin Alberta starts out by recognizing the influences her mother and two sisters had on her life. It is something how observing maids gathering at the bus stop played a rol...

Mr. Asaud Frazier continued his story about history of the family’s land and the leadership of his Grandmother Ella and Great-Aunt Beatrice. Please listen and share.

In this two part series, Mr. Asaud Frazier, an African American Farmer/entrepreneur shares his story about the two women who inspired him most; Grandmother Ella and Grand-Aunt Beatrice. This story is rich in history and exemplifies the importance of land ownership. Please listen and share.

I invited Pastor Daniels to return to Old School Thoughts to share with us his feelings and purpose for writing his new book: Take The Stairs - Not The Elevator. He provides weekly YouTube Bible lessons and sermons for individuals who are unable to attend church for many reasons. I enjoyed the interview - as usual.

Keeping History “100” is the best way, for me, to sum up my conversation with Kathy Perdue. I asked Kathy to give me her interpretation of what the theme “History is Personal” means and if she would “Give Life To History” as it pertains to her family’s history. Influenced by her mother and her ancestral spirit, Kathy kept it “100.” It was important for me to understand that she was going to keep i...

I want to thank Daphine for agreeing to return for a part two of her interview to share the history of her paternal Jamaican lineage.

Thank you, Daphine Johnson, for sharing your time and history with us. I am always amazed to hear about the triumphs of our ancestors. When Daphine spoke of her great-grandmothers decision to work, sacrifice, save, and purchase 40 acres of land, it caused me to question, like always, how did they achieve so much while we are losing so much? Daphine spoke of her great-grandmothers regimen of being...

At 6:00 PM (EST), 12 February 2022, I vicariously boarded the Casey Family Train of peace and freedom seekers inside of a Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Railroad passenger coach. The tour guide was Janice Casey Bond. She took me back to Martha Scarborough, Columbus Casey - those who endured the institution of slavery. I watched ancestors leave Alabama and discover newness in Louisville, Kentucky a...

This interview was conducted immediately following Jeanne’s story about father. She ended her last interview laying out responsibilities for adults 50 and over as it pertains to sharing and preserving family/African American history. This episode gives us a brief description of Jeane’s mother.

I have really been blessed over the years and through this podcast. After speaking with Ora Jeane Warner-Hall three times this week, I thanked God for the opportunity to receive wisdom from ladies/guests who were old enough to be an older sibling, my mother, and or grandmother. I want to thank all of them for the legacies they are building through Old School Thoughts. Ora gave me a new look of Mis...

Listening to Damonta filled me with many thoughts and emotions because it was great having a mature conversation with a 28 year-young African American man. He opened my mind when he spoke about representing three generations of being a foster care family member; the need to be intentional; and his oral description of America. I am so grateful to have met Damonta and look forward to speaking him, a...

We can’t have a part one without a part two - so here we are. Charnita ended the part one assessing her mothers generation as it pertained to the village. Because I didn’t want the interview to end without a complete explanation, I requested that we continue with a part two. Charnita will share a poem with us that captures her deepest thoughts about how she feels about “The Village.”

Today, Charnita contacted me and requested an interview to talk about “The Village” as we know it. Charnita did what I want all of you to do: volunteer to tell your story. Charnita gives a clear description of the village and its value. This conversation definitely required a part two. Feel free to share your perspective.

Charles gave me a new perspective on the history of identifying someone as a Conductor. This title was given to Harriett Tubman as she began to lead more family members and enslaved friends to freedom. Charles is operating at a level of concern to connect family members who have been separated by institutional laws, family migration, and more. He stated that he wants to reunite 200 family members...

You can’t have a part one without a part two and this really is a continuation of an incredible story filled with incredible wisdom and advice. Chloe describes her grandfather as an unapologetic leader. She shares his astute capability to navigate through inequality to achieve equality for his family, friends, and community. She goes on to say that we shouldn’t apologize for being who we are - inn...

At a time when the teaching of African American history is under attack, it is a great feeling to hear Chloe speak of her grandfather with so much reverence. She acknowledged his struggles, his focus, his empowerment, his successes, and his will to learn and teach. Chloe’s interview is a testament to understanding that History Is Personal.