Ode to Curtis Jones

Since 2015, I have been learning about the story of Curtis Jones, one of the top basketball players in the city of Detroit. He was called "The Magician" for his skill and overall talent on the basketball court at Northwestern High School, St. Cecilia's Gym and other locations around town. From what I have read, he had, as it would be called nowadays, a Playground style of playing basketball. He made the winning shot of the first televised High School basketball game in the city against Pershing High School. Many people of a certain age remember him fondly. His story is intriguing, because it was revealed that he was illiterate, he couldn't read and write. He was passed through school, even Special Education at that time did not help. After graduating from Northwestern, he was shipped off to North Idaho Junior College for a year and a half. (Here is the 1969 Driftwood yearbook from NIJC. He is featured with the basketball team, Freshman class, Boys' dorm and a few candids). In early 1970, after a few separate incidences, some people on campus found out he was illiterate, and many on campus made light of his situation, so much that he had a nervous breakdown and returned home to Detroit, where he lived with his mother while receiving treatment at Northville Psychiatric Hospital for Schizophrenia. In the Early 1980s (two separate links here), he filed a $15 Million dollar lawsuit against Detroit Public Schools, North Idaho Junior College and the University of Michigan for failure to educate and other charges. He lost the lawsuit a few years later. He would walk around town, showing his basketball skills to young people he encountered on basketball courts and playgrounds around the city. He died from Pneumonia in Detroit in March 1999. One of the articles that I found interesting from his life was from September 1990, Labor Day weekend: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. A documentary was produced on his life in 2015, and released in 2016. I had never heard of his story until it was announced in March 2015 that the documentary would be made. It is fascinating to hear about what happened. I know that there are laws in place nowadays here in Michigan and across the country that say that if a child cannot read by the time they are in at least third grade, they are to be held back until they can, or receive extra help in reading. There was a program in Detroit, "Reading Corps" that helped kids read, but I am not sure if that is still running or not. What are some programs near you that help kids and adults learn to read and write?

Long time, no write...

Wow! Long time since my last post. I have been doing well, for the most part. Five seasons at my Job in Guest Relations (since 2014), and I didn't think I'd last that long. Job responsibilities have grown as I have. Lots of changes in my life, gained some new family members, lost one, and am getting back on my feet after some meds nearly took me out a couple of years ago. I'll try to blog when I get a chance and as time permits.

My summer, in a pinch

Hey guys and gals,
Sorry I haven't been writing as much. I got a job earlier this year and have been working. Here are my summer Highlights for you.

 I attended my first and second Minor League baseball games on May 29 and June 29 at Toledo's Fifth Third Field, home of the "World Famous" Toledo Mud Hens. It was a great experience all around. I especially liked all the promotions that took place in between innings.

My third annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trip to Cleveland on July 17. It's become a yearly tradition for me since 2012. The main exhibit this year was about the Music Festival Experience, such as that of Bonnaroo, Woodstock, etc. 

Labor Day Trip to Cleveland on September 1. I did a little sightseeing before going to see Terry Francona and the Indians battle my Detroit Tigers. The Tigers won the game, 12-1. 

My favorite Festival, the Detroit Jazz Fest on Labor Day Weekend. Always good listening to all the musicians at the festival. My favorite acts were the High School and College Jazz Bands. 

Famous Quads

While on my time away from blogging, I've been actively researching the lives of the Fultz Quadruplets, who were known as the first Black Quadruplets to survive in the south. I first found out about the ladies back in either 2006 or 2007, when someone had mentioned them on a board about the Dionne Quintuplets from Canada. The quads, Mary Anne, Mary Louise, Mary Alice and Mary Catherine, were born in May 1946 by a mother who was deaf and mute and were raised in North Carolina. The quads' living expenses were provided by Pet Milk, who also provided a nurse for the quads. Pet Milk featured the Quads in their ad campaigns, noting that they were "Growing Strong and Sturdy" on the milk. They were also featured in Ebony and Jet Magazines, as well as in other black publications of the day. The nurse provided by Pet Milk and her husband eventually adopted the quads, and raised them as their own. Noticing that the quads' talents lay in Music, they were well taught in Musical studies. . In 1964, the ladies were debutantes, debuting at the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Debutante Ball. After their High School graduation, they attended Bethune-Cookman College for two years to study music, but left school after the second year there. Later, they attended Barbizon modeling school, and were working as models. They also had a singing group that was popular in the New York/New Jersey area,  aptly named "The Quads". In later adulthood, all four of the quadruplets contracted breast cancer, with Mary Anne, Mary Alice and Mary Louise passing away from it. Mary Catherine was the last of the quads still alive. I have put together a board on Pinterest with pictures of the quadruplets found around the Internet. Hope you enjoy it.

2014 Catch-up

My goodness, Time sure does fly when you're busy, doesn't it? Well, here's where we are as of recently. I've been out here looking for work and working on my family's history, and haven't had much time to blog. I've started a new Volunteer job this month, and I also have been finally  sorting out some personal issues that I've been dealing with for quite a while now. I'm still sorting out these issues, but I'll try to find time to blog here in 2014 when I find an ounce of free time. What topics would you like to see of me this year? Feel free to comment....

Homelessness amongst students

This is a really powerful article I read in today's Detroit News about Homelessness amongst Detroit area students. This has been going on for the past few years, not only in Detroit and the metro area, but also across the country, with many families either staying in shelters or at the homes of relatives (parents, siblings, aunts/uncles/cousins, etc). In this article, there is one family that is staying with a family member until the parents can get on their feet and find work. Another family is living in a shelter while Mom finds work, and one of the kids takes three  buses to and from school each day. Many school districts have an office which helps handle the needs of homeless students at their schools. Sometimes, it's embarassing to tell people that you are homeless, and you may feel like the world is against you or thinks that you are a freeloader or lazy/don't want to work because you lost your job and might be taking public assistance.  I feel that people should have some compassion, and try to help with the job search, interview skills, etc, if help is requested.  I also think that people could be receptive and listen if someone needs to just talk about what they are going through at the moment. What has the issue of Homeless students been like in your city or community?

Legends Plaza

As I was getting a few things done with my genealogic work couple of weekends ago, I stopped by the new Legends Plaza at the Detroit historical museum in Midtown. The plaza opened up late last year, and have the handprints of many local and national celebrities from the Detroit area. If you are in the Detroit area, stop by and check it out.