Do HBCUs Overlook The Veteran Community?

Educational funding for veterans and their families members are often overlooked by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Since I have been writing about men and women of color who serve our country, I have noticed a trend that often one generation or two are unaware of a family member’s military service. The unawareness of a person’s military service also extends to the community as well. The lives of our military members are filled with many stories of sacrifice and hardship that comes with the courage to serve bravely. 

Montford Point Marines

There are few true rewards that can be given to our military who chooses to risk their lives for our freedoms we enjoy. But there are many benefits that come with their service that we may neglect to highlight that will not only improve their lives but even enrich the communities they live in.

Here is some history for us to review.

Original Triple Nickels Paratroopers

 After World War II, the  Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, which was also nicked name the G.I. Bill, was a law passed that provided many benefits for returning World War II veterans. The benefits included low-cost mortgages, low-interest loans to start a business, cash payments of tuition and living expenses to attend college, high school, or vocational education, as well as one year of unemployment compensation. It was available to every veteran who had been on active duty during the war years for at least ninety days and had not been dishonorably discharged; combat was not required. By the end of the program in 1956, roughly 2.2 million veterans had used the G.I. Bill education benefits in order to attend colleges or universities, and an additional 6.6 million used these benefits for some kind of training program. *

HBCUs saw many Black men and women attend college using G.I. funds. Although not as many took advantage of the funds as their White counterparts, those who did attend college helped increase enrollments at HBCUs, especially in the southern states. The G.I. Bill passage lead to additional laws passed that benefited HBCUs’ students.  The Lanham Act of 1946 provided $100,000,000 in federal funding for HBCUs for expansions and improvements.  In subsequent years and wars, additional educational funds have been provided for veterans and later for family members of veterans.

In 2008, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 became law. This bill was unique in two ways: (1.) It covered 100% of educational costs of a public university or college for veterans serving active duty on or before September 11, 2001; and (2.) It allowed benefits to be transferred to a spouse or children. At private colleges and universities, the program is called the Yellow Ribbon program and the tuition is shared one to one up to 100% with the institution.

With unemployment hitting veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq underage of 30 at 21%, it is important for us to encourage our veterans to consider higher education and to use the benefits they have earned to pay for it. For older veterans who do not need an education or is already educated, they are positioned to help their family members obtain an education by passing on their benefits on to them. 

When I share this information with Black veterans of recent wars, their career options and educational opportunities are not addressed within their community nor are they recruited by HBCUs.

A crisis in America usually hits the Black community hardest and has greater long term effects. At this moment, education, and economic plights are being touted loudly in the Black community but often without solutions or servant leadership to lead the charge make lasting changes. But in the Black veteran community, there is historical proof that veteran educational benefits, veteran business ownership, and military leadership knowledge can be used to transform a community and strengthen the Black Middle Class. The G.I. Bill help increased Black college attendance from 1% in the 1940s to almost 4% a decade later throughout the US. That educated Black Middle Class help provide a foundation for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

Years later, the Post- 9/11 Veterans Bill can be an opportunity to educate millions of family members of veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. Many of those veterans will also become entrepreneurs. With the fastest growing segment of the Armed Forces being Black women according to a Pew Research, this will have a direct positive effect on the Black community in the next decade. But those changes will not happen if we are not more engaging of our veterans and their families who need us now more than ever as they transition to post combat life.

I encourage HBCUs and the communities of HBCUs to become more engage in Veteran Affairs. We often hear that sports and bands make up the core of a HBCUs’ interests. I challenge that notion but recognized why it is repeated. It is time for HBCU communities to look for new ways to engage and look for leadership in places that minority communities often overlook but majority communities turn to first, a person with a military background. Maybe the structure and discipline of a veteran may play to strengths and improve weakness without the wave of emotion that often accompanies HBCU discussions. With millions of dollars that is being provided for veterans’ tuition, this can help bring much needed increases in enrollment at HBCUs. The harvest is plentiful.

If HBCUs do not aggressively recruit our country’s veterans and offer veterans jobs to glen from their leadership experiences, there are other intuitions that will do so without thinking. Educating our veterans and their families to help provide economic stability after their years of service should be a priority for everyone. HBCUs have an opportunity to seize the moment. 

This story  can found in Mocha Market Military Issue and on H.O.P.E. Scholarship

The 2014 Fannie Lou Hamer Report Shines Spotlight on Political Spending and the Black Community

The recent 2014 Fannie Lou Hamer Report had Black Political Consultants in the Beltway throwing fits of rage when it was revealed that Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) spent...

“half of all funds raised by the Party over the past two cycles to hire consultants to engage multiracial voters; however, of the firms who received a total of $515 million in disbursements, only 1.7% ($8.7 million) went to firms that were minority-owned or had a minority principal, signaling a need for additional needed progress and change in how resources are spent within the Party.”

Black folks have been screaming at the Republican Party and RNC for their overt treatment of minorities and their lack of minority outreach. But their screams were mingled with heart palpitations because of the convert actions of the Democrats. Well-meaning friends who are political consultants have been asked to give many hourly segments touting the goodness of voting for Democrats. But they were puking over toilets after realizing now what they gave awayfor free, Democrats paid top dollars to majority firms or businesses disguised as women owned consulting firms.

From time to time, I have had national leaders on my radio show, Living Your Best Life, or written about them to address major concerns regarding veterans, housing, immigration, or the worst Supreme Court ever. But I have never used my time and energy to push a political agenda on behalf of any politician or political party. Too often, political leaders at federal, state, and local levels will say whatever to anybody to get in office. This is nothing personal, just a fact. The Republicans are not the only ones stuck on stupid. The Democrats are still in a boys’ club with a few women and play the same games.

While campaigning to get the majority minority and progressive voters out to the polls around the country in 2010 and 2012, the Democrats paid who they wanted to pay to communicate the issues to the voters. It has long been instilled in the Black community that White folks’ ice water is colder. With that kind of thinking, a large majority firm can visit the Black community and use cold ice water and the fear of extremism to do just as much damage. Couple that with vote when it feels good and you can see the Black community is ripe for the picking by Democrats and Republicans. The Black community gives both parties what they want; one group wants folks to accept church and chicken dinner endorsements and the other group wants folks not to vote. Black folks do both…often.

This embedded craziness hurts us even more when a Black politicianfinally gets elected and is charted off to jail quicker than the polls closing early in North Carolina for criminal acts that others get off or reelected for doing. Black folks cannot win for losing. And when we lose, we are Gilligan Island lost. How can we stop the madness? It starts with how we treat each other in the Black community and how minority dollars are spent with minority firms.

As the owner of Holmes Pest Control, the majority of my customers do not look like me nor live in my neighborhood. As a matter fact, less than ten percent of our clients are Black. And many of them are business owners. Most of us started our companies between 1994 and 1997. We were young entrepreneurs ready to save the world and our community. We were too proud to receive our minority contracting “certification” and attended every minority contracting luncheon in the state. I was the only bug killer in the group and quickly noticed oddities the others did not see until later. Outside our group, it was very hard to solicit other Black owned companies, affluent Black leaders, government agencies, and my neighbors to do business with me. I could kill roaches in my sleep but could not get folks with roaches to become customers.

One day, after watching several national pest companies park in my neighbors’ driveways on my street for over three years, I had a come to Jesus meeting with myself. Gagging from disappointment that my neighbors would rather pay someone else to service them but often complained about the service they were receiving to me, I said, “No more expectations that those who look like me want to see me succeed and provide not only for my family but also for other families in the community. No more asking Black folks and neighbors to do business with me.” As harsh as it sounds, when I reached that fork in the road, a fire was lite inside of me. My community actions helped me find customers under rocks, in bends, and on the mountain tops. I started knocking on doors across town and showing up at Rotary meetings in a ten county region. Once, one group thought I was the new waitress who was on break. Ouch. But it took only one or two meetings to get them to understand that a roach is a roach. Those country folks out in the middle nowhere did something for me that my own would not do, they patronized my business.

I am two decades removed from my early years of starting Holmes Pest Control but those lessons I learned were humbling and educational. I learned much about human nature, my people, my community, and myself. The Fannie Lou Hamer Report reminded me of those lessons.

Fannie Lou Hamer

 Unfortunately, 50 years after fellow Mississippian, Fannie Lou Hamer, “challenged the Democratic party to allow Blacks to be part of the coalition”, Black folks are still asking for the same identical things from our country, our political parties and our own people. Majority firms that do business with us will treat us the way we treat ourselves. Until we begin to think differently and spend with each other first, change ain’t gonna come. Not with Republicans. Not with Democrats. Not with contractors.

I learned over time not to take it personally. People are people. A few years ago, I decided to invest in a bottle water company. I glue the labels on the bottles myself. I hired a young white 20 something to put the bottled water on ice. He sells them at all the HBCU games in town. My bottled water company is growing faster than any company I started. Who knew?

Photos Credits: Mississippi Libary Archives, Holmes Pest Control, White Folks Ice Water Company, FEC

 

The Supreme Court and the Resurrection of Jim Crow South

My grandfather was a Civil Rights foot solider until he took his last breath in 2007. He worked tirelessly to help bring national civil rights leaders to Mississippi during the 50’s and 60’s. In the 70’s and 80’s he urged Civil Right organizations not to seek corporate funding because it would water down their mission. And in 90’s and until he became ill in 2006, he taught the fundamentals of voting and the importance of understanding public issues that affect minority rights, the poor, and the underserved.

I was spoon fed his activism. My grandfather, my first hero in life, was principled, practical and proud. He took tremendous pride in introducing me to many unsung leaders whose names are not in history books but who made historical contributions that addressed living in the Jim Crow South.

Through my grandfather, I met many Mississippi Jews who lived in the Delta. The Delta Jews were a group of Jewish business owners who helped my grandfather fund Civil Right activities throughout the late 50’s and 60’s. The Delta Jews owned local businesses in the Greenville area and down Hwy 61. They were also land owners and leased their properties to larger corporations. I was nine years old when I had my first encounter with someone who owned their own business other than a family member while I was tagging along with my grandfather doing a get out to vote drive in 1975. I met a Jewish family who owned the town bank. I was smitten as I eavesdropped while the banker gave my grandfather advice one afternoon.

My grandfather listened quietly as  his old Jewish friend warn him that marching and boycotting white owned businesses to get White folks to do right had limitations. The Delta Jews believed that keeping an eye on the court system was the best way to defeat Jim Crow and the lawyers who drafted the Jim Crow laws for the White Supremacists. “It takes a good lawyer to outsmart a bad law,” he said to my grandfather. He encouraged my grandfather that our community needed more lawyers willing “to argue a case before the highest court in the land if needed” to address racism. He already knew what I learned later in life; Jim Crows laws were systemic and there would always be another law created by evil men who would have one leg up because the legal system was ran by the same group who instituted the laws that keep minorities from getting ahead. 

That conversation transformed my grandfather on he challenged injustices. It also began his years of watching who sat on the judicial benches and their relationships with elected officials. My grandfather believed strongly the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) would soon become the last option the little folks had against the unjust laws that were often passed at the local and state level that were unlawful and immoral in the Jim Crow South.

Now, let us looked at the role of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has two fundamental functions. On the one hand, it must interpret and expound all congressional enactments brought before it in proper cases; in this respect its role parallels that of the state courts of final resort in making the decisive interpretation of state law. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has power (superseding that of all other courts) to examine federal and state statutes and executive actions to determine whether they conform to the U.S. Constitution. When the court rules against the constitutionality of a statute or an executive action, its decision can be overcome only if the Constitution is amended or if the court later overrules itself or modifies its previous opinion. The decisions are not confined to the specific cases, but rather are intended to guide legislatures and executive authority; thereby they mold the development of law. Thus, in the U.S. governmental system the Supreme Court potentially wields the highest power.

Since 2009, the SCOTUS has become a court that is becoming more and more engaged in politics than being guides to help us interpret the Constitution. Black and Brown folks in particular should be alarmed at the number of cases that the SCOTUS has ruled against that were instituted to protect minority rights. At a time when racists are once again proud of their racism, it has been open season on laws that were once upheld by the SCOTUS.

On June 25, 2013, the SCOTUS struck down the Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The decision in Shelby County v. Holder effectively ended the use of Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act which requires any changes to voting rules in covered states and jurisdictions to be approved by the U.S. Justice Department before they can go into effect.

States like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee where some residents have longed for the Old South to rise again, no longer have to get preclearance when they make changes in jurisdictions. Although the SCOTUS has confidence that our country has changed dramatically since the 60’s regarding discriminatory practices, we are seeing more and more state laws that are limiting times and locations to vote while restricting the types of identification that can be used to vote. That is very Jim Crowish.

On April 22, 2014, the SCOTUS upheld the ban on Affirmative Action for college admissions. In 2006, Michigan voters decided to bar public colleges from considering race in admissions and to prohibit officials from taking race into account in hiring and contracting. The SCOTUS decide 6-2 that a country that practiced denying admittance to colleges based on race and practiced discrimination in hiring and minority contracting for centuries, now say it is okay to pick up where everyone left off. When folks say they want their country back, believe them. They are using the SCOTUS to do it.

In 2010,the SCOTUS ruled 5-4 that corporations were people in Citizen United vs. FCC. Living and breathing people! When Black and Brown folks should have been alarmed, they passively thought the case was about big money funding elections and not a Civil Rights issue. Citizen United vs. FCC was very much a Civil Rights issue as busing and affirmation action were. Black and Brown folks are not likely to spend millions to get someone elected but those corporation will spend billions during an election cycle to get local, state, and federal people who will do their bidding once elected. Who is elected determines what laws are brought fourth that will affect everything from the fairness of a school’s budget to what time the polls will close. We know first hand how an underfunded school system can affect a community for generations and we have come from an era where making it difficult to vote has been practiced. Both thrived well in Jim Crow South.

With theHobby Lobby ruling from two week ago, the SCOTUS is showing us once again they are dogged determined to erode steady legal Civil Rights gains. If you do not think Hobby Lobby issue was closely tied to Civil Rights, you are wrong. When majority women are up arms about an issue, Black folks better get on board, quickly. If they got issues with laws you know community of color got major problems coming to their neighborhoods real soon. 

People of color can no longer sit on the sideline and wait to be informed about issues. By the time the community is informed, it has been devoured. Communities of color must be willing to be sharp as a double edge sword on all the issues, especially, the ones that are before THIS SCOTUS.

The SCOTUS has Justices who are actively engaged in politics outside of the court and are not afraid that we know it. Thinking the SCOTUS will be fair and balance should not be assumed. When the Justices became headliners at close door political fundraiser after the election of 2008, we lost the objectivity of the court. At the same time, we started losing one civil right gain after another. Wake up folks! Folks really are taking our country back...and backwards. 

Photo Credit: Supreme Court, Mississippi Library Archives

Cowboys of Color: Harold Cash and Vincent Jacobs on Living Your Best Life Radio with Genma Holmes

Remember growing wanting to be a cowboy or cowgirl? The old western movies captured all of our imaginations. But rarely did we see cowboys who reflected the diversity of the west and our country.

On Saturday, July 12, 2014, listen to men who careers have been in the rodeo, true American Cowboys of Color. Tune in to hear from legendary heroes, Harold Cash and Vincent Jacobs. Listen to them share how they broke racial barriers to tour the rodeo circuit and how they are making sure the complete story of the American Cowboy is told accurately.

Harold Cash who was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2010 credits his education from Prairie View  A& M College to him being a part of the Rodeo. Listen to him share highlights from his stellar career as rodeo star, working in the oil business, and owning the first Black Country Western Club in Houston, Texas. Cash believes in bring others along on his journey. Hear him share how he honors others who have gone before him on the rodeo cirucut.

Vincent Jacobs, a 50-year resident of Barrett Station, is recognized as a legendary African-American Cowboys in Texas. At 15, he was introduced to competitive bull riding, and in 1970 he was one of the first black men to ride in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Hear him share what it was like to be a trailblazer among trailblazers. Jacobs will be inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame on in July.

Living Your Best Life Radio, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life, can be heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, Tune In, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also air on WTST, a member of the HBCU radio network (XM 142).

Follow the #cowboysofcolor hash tag on Facebook and Twitter.

More About the Rode Hall of Fame Mission

The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring and documenting the lives of men and women who have made exemplary contributions to Western Heritage, past and present.

More About Harold Cash

For years Harold was a spectator with his grandfather, however in 1967 hometown cowboy friends Elijah and Charlie Davis entered him into his first rodeo at the S.P. Picnic Ground. Thus his rodeo career began. Thereafter in 1969 Cash teamed up and traveled with his mentor, “The World Greatest” Willie Thomas, Sr. to cities and states such as Chicago, Denver, New York, Washing D.C. and Oklahoma participating in rodeos. Even though Cash rode bulls, he specialized in Bare Back Riding. He was an expert at riding the “Bad One’s” especially those that stock contractors thought no one could ride. One memorable ride was when Harold Cash rode a horse in Washington, D.C. known as the horse of the year named “Playboy” owned by the Thera Latting Rodeo Production of Robbins, Illinois. Cash won the All American Rodeo Association Champion Bare Back Buckle in1979 and 1981. Along with numerous trophies and Awards in his rodeo career, in 1995 Cash won the Old Time Rodeo Association Bare Back Buckle, which is when he retired from the arena.

In 1982, Cash became the Co-owner of the first Black Country Western Club in Houston, Texas with his friend Myrtis Dightman. In 1985, he became the sole owner of the “Tie Down Saloon” Country and Western Club in Texas City, Texas. In addition, some of Harold Cash’s community accomplishments are, Master Mason Grand Lodge 112, - Logos Bible Institute, Houston, Texas, - Ike Carden Rodeo Association - Over the Hill & Future Cowboy Rodeo Association, - Galveston County Fair & Rodeo Association - Houston Livestock show and Rodeo Black Professional Cowboy & Cowgirl Association – Texas House of Representatives Honored as an outstanding example of a Texas icon-A real cowboy –and the President of the All American Youth Rodeo Association.

More About Vincent Jacobs

Vincent Jacobs is an American cowboy who grew up in the 1940s. He challenges what is written as history with factual information about the American West and speaks often at schools and colleges about the accuracy of American History. He notes many movies about the "Wild West" are Hollywood versions of stories that omit the role of black cowboys in our Western culture. Jacobs states many stories were changed to make material for a number of films like The Lone Ranger which was said to be inspired by Bass Reeves, a former slave who had an illustrious career as a U.S. Marshall. Also, the film, The Searchers, is based on a novel by Alan Le May, which was inspired by legendary Brit Johnson, a famous black cowboy. In recent years, black characters appear more in films such as Wild West Posse, Unforgiven, and Django Unchained. But Hollywood has ignored the ethnic diversity of the cowboy in American West which is considered the birthplace of America where Americans made ​​a difference to people of European descent. The West is seen as a frontier where white people showed their courage but does not depict many people of color who had no rights under the U.S. Constitution were just as courageous and made many historical contributions to our society in spite of the circumstances that prohibited them from being considered citizens. Jacobs still fights for all Americans who have contributed so much to recognized and honored.

Jacobs has been recognized by many organizations and is honored to be nominated into the Rodeo Hall of Fame.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Cowboys of Color on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

On Saturday, June 28, 2014, author, musician, and historian, Art. T. Burton,will join us to continue our discussion on Cowboys of Color; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Mr. Burton has studied the Wild West extensively for several decades. He will share with us stories about many popular figures like Bill Pickett, U.S. Deputy Marshall Bass Reeves, and the Buffalo Soldiers but Burton will also enlighten us on many stories about cowboys from his researched and books that are not as prominent in our history.

What is often left out of many popular cowboy stories that are written today is the multicultural makeup of our Western Heritage and the influence of Asian, Black, Hispanic, Latino, and Native Americans who helped shaped the Wild, Wild West way of life. Mr. Burton who lectures around the world on Western Heritage and Cultural shows us the richness of our country's diversity and why we all should want to learn more about The American Cowboys of Color; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“(Black, Red, and Deadly: Black and Indian Gunfighters of the Indian Territories, 1870-1907) is a meaningful addition to my library, especially with the recent dedication of the Buffalo Soldier Monument. Your book illuminates another exciting chapter in the story of the outstanding contributions made by African Americans to our Nation's history.”

- Colin L. Powell,
65th United States Secretary of State, American statesman and a
retired four-star general in the United States Army.

"When we have no understanding of our history, we can not appreciate the potential that our future holds."

Living Your Best Life Radio, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life, can be heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, Tune In, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also air on WTST, a member of the HBCU radio network (XM 142).
Follow the #cowboysofcolor hash tag on Facebook and Twitter.

More About Art. T. Burton 

Art T. Burton has a distinguished career in education and the arts. He received bachelor and masters degrees in cultural and ethnic studies at Governors State University (GSU), where he served as student assistant dean. Additionally, he was selected as a recipient of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities,” and traveled to Brazil with GSU’s award-winning Jazz Band as their percussionist.

Burton was Recruitment and Admissions Counselor at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and Coordinator of Minority Affairs and Admissions Counselor at Illinois Benedictine College. He taught ethnic and cultural studies at Prairie State College, South Suburban College, and Governors State University. Burton spent ten years at Loyola University as Assistant Dean of Students and Director of African American Student Affairs. Burton was the Director of Student Development/Minority Affairs at Columbia College in Chicago for seven years. He is currently a professor of History at South Suburban College in South Holland, IL. He is a recipient of the “Living Black History “ Award. In 1983 and 1990 he was selected as an “Outstanding Young Man of America” in recognition of professional achievement, superior leadership ability, and service to the community. As author of Black, Red and Deadly, he has been interviewed by radio and television hosts and was featured in the November 1994 issue of Emerge magazine. His book is being considered for a feature film on African- Americans in the West. Initiated by Burton, the major character in the book, Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall, was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.

Burton is a member of the Chicago based Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (A.A.C.M.) since 1973, Burton has shared musical experiences with Dizzy Gillespie, Muhal Richard Abrams, Chico Freeman, Amina Claudine Myers, Lester Bowie, Henry Threadgill, and Elvin Jones. In 1996, Art played percussion on saxophonist Vandy Harris’ recording PURE FIRE. In 1998, he played percussion on a critically received recording by noted Chicago saxophonist Ari Brown titled VENUS for the Delmark label. Art was elected Chairman of the Association for the A.A.C.M. for the year of 2011. He has played the bongo and conga drums professionally for over 30 years.

LaCanas Casselle, Shaunn Casselle, and Howard Gentry Share Life with Eldridge "The Lord's Prayer" Dickey on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Audio of show can be found here.

"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage — to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness."

"In every conceivable manner, family is the link to our past, bridge to our future."

On Saturday June 21, 2014, we will continue our tribute to Eldridge "The Lord's Prayer" Dickey. His daughter, Shaunn Casselle, along with her mother, LaCanas Casselle who was Dickey's college sweetheart and wife, will share about Eldridge Dickey, the family man and his life as a college athlete at Tennessee State University (TSU) and life in the NFL. Many of their personal stories have not been shared with the media.

The Casselle Family photos of life with Eldridge Dickey; husband, dad, brother-in-law, uncle, son-in-law

Hear LaCanas talk about meeting Eldridge Dickey for the first time and how two kindred spirits fell in love and became one in marriage. LaCanas, a TSU cheerleader and majorette, will chronicle Dickey's transition from outstanding HBCU college quarterback to his historic draft pick by the Oakland Raiders. LaCanas who was treated like a daughter by TSU's Big John Merritt will also share about collegiate life during the turbulent late 60's at TSU.

LaCanas Casselle's TSU Campus Sweetheart photo '64

Shaunn Casselle, Dickey's daughter, will share how the events surrounding the induction of her father into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame has impacted her life and helped her to cherish even more the memories of her daddy. Shaunn also talks about the legacy of HBCUs. Dickey's daughter attended Howard University but her blood runs TSU Blue. Her mother's sister, Ramano Casselle, was captain of the cheering squad who married James Buford, a 1987 TSU Football Hall of Fame Inductee. Her mother's brother, William Casselle, was on TSU's swim team. The Casselle-Dickey union was a testament to what many in the Black community knew during the 60's era, HBCUs not only excelled in athletics but also in educating families.

Shaunn Casselle with her Aunt, Ramona (Cheerleader); her dad, Eldridge Dickey; her uncle,William Casselle (TSU Swim team); and her cousin, Dwann, wearing Dickey's jersey number.

James Buford

Shaunn Casselle with the TN Sports Hall of Fame 2014 Inductees

Shaunn wearing Eldridge Dickey's Black College Hall of Fame Ring

 Howard Gentry, Jr., Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk, will share what it was like being part of that history while educating us on the nomination process for Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and how TSU shined brightly this year with two Inductees; Dorsey Sims, Sr. and Eldridge Dickey, and TSU's 1957-59 Basketball team receiving the Significant Historical Achievement Honor. The 1957-59 produced NBA legends like New York Knicks Dr. Dick Barnett. Howard Gentry will share how the eventful week leading up to the 2014 ceremony brought back many memories of his father and how his TSU family bonds grew deeper and stronger.

Howard Gentry seeing a photo of his father and mother with Shaunn Casselle for the first time.

LaCanas Casselle reminiscing with NFL Legend Claude Humphrey

Carrie Gentry having a moment with her former TSU majorette and mentee.

These stories about Eldridge Dickey from his family and friends will empower, inspire, and motivate you to live your BEST life. Living Your Best Life,  can be heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also air on WTST, a member of the HBCU radio network (XM 142).

More About Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, a non-profit 501c3, was founded by a group known as the Middle Tennessee Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association. Its early growth was due largely to three of the founders: С. Е. Jackson Jr., Charlie Sons, and the Rev. A. Richard Smith. The late Bernie Moore, retired commissioner of the SEC, and the late Bishop Frank Julian guided the fledgling Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in its struggle for recognition. In 1966, the prep sportswriters and sportscasters spent their last $300 to finance the first banquet. The State Legislature, under the leadership of Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh and Lieutenant Governor John Wilder along with Representative Bill Purcell and Senator Robert Rochelle, passed legislation in 1994 to officially create the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. The legislation passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate of the 98th General Assembly. Very seldom in the history in the state of Tennessee has a piece of legislation ever passed unanimously or as quickly as the “Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Act of 1994.” The creation of the Act began a new era in the history of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. A new Board was founded composed of 25 Tennessee citizens, eight each appointed by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House; the 25th member of the Board is the State Treasurer or his designee. No more than eight of the appointed members shall reside in a grand division of the state. The organizers of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame are grateful to their sponsors for making the commemoration possible; to the citizens of Tennessee, whose enthusiasm has driven the event forward; to the many who have brought wonderful individuals to the attention of the selection committee; and, of course, to the inductees, who have contributed immeasurably to their teams and their communities.

Previous show on Eldridge Dickey can be found here.
Photo credits: TN Sports Hall of Fame, The Casselle Family
Quote: Alex Haley

A Grandfather's Note From Heaven

One of my greatest struggles in life has been overcoming the loss of my maternal grandfather, Joe Jackson. It has been several years since his passing, but there are times when it feels as if his passing was yesterday. I can remember his laughter; I can see his smile; I can repeat most of his stories verbatim; and quite often, I feel his suffering as he fought a hard and painful fight against cancer.

Often, I wondered what could have been done differently, especially to ease his pain. The first couple of years after his death, my dreams were filled with his moans, and I would awaken in the middle of the night with tears streaming down my face. I could still fill the grip of my grandfather’s hands as I held his at night, trying to comfort him to no avail.

I remember the careful planning of his final arrangements and the great pride my family took, especially my Aunt Henrietta, in making sure that every final detail was impeccable and benefiting the home-going of a patriarch and his meeting with the King.


As I learned to manage the heartache and sadness of the loss of my grandfather, I found respite by helping others by volunteering with organizations that mirror my grandfather's values. What started out as a way to deal with this difficulty became a mission—a mantra—and helped me to grow as a person. I now volunteer weekly and often find a “Mr. Joe’s story” in every venture and use these anecdotes to help others overcome difficulties or to meet an underserved need in the community.

On Christmas morning 2013, Clarence "Pop"Holmes left us. He was my father-in-law whom I loved like a father. His kindness and enduring ways were like Velcro—sticky on both sides. Pop often reassured me that he understood my quirky nature which seemed to be in stark contrast to the rest of his family of sportsmen who talked sports and more sports.

When I had something exciting to share or was in the midst of a dream deferred on the verge of fruition, Pop would be the most likely go-to-person to share the possibilities or the good news. He would become just as excited as I was. And when my bright idea or dream turned out to be just a hair brain notion, he never voiced ridicule and would only find words of encouragement. He would give me that look, “We’ll get it next time.”

Like my grandfather’s death, Pop’s death was a great loss. Unlike my grandfather’s demise, I had not braced myself for or strangely welcomed Pop’s final exhale like I did my grandfather. Pop was a strong, healthy man—a young man—who left all too suddenly. My grandfather's body was ravished by cancer and death was his escape. As I cried for Pop, the pain of losing my first hero in life began hitting me at the same time. I found myself mourning two men.

While packing to head to Memphis to prepare for Pop’s final arrangements, I rumbled through my closet to find an appropriate hat and pulled down a few hat boxes. As I reached for a hat box that possibly contained a black hat, a large box containing some of my grandfather’s fedoras fell and opened from the impact. Seeing my grandfather’s fedoras that were given to me by the family literally took away my breath.

After regaining my composure, I began examining the box. As I pulled out several hats, I put them close to my heart and recalled fond memories of my grandfather wearing each. But when I returned the last head wear taken from the box, I noticed a note card on the floor.

 This note card was created by Aunt Henrietta who mailed several hundred of them to me to give to friends and customers from Nashville and other places as acknowledgment of their acts of kindness during our bereavement. I believed that I had given out or mailed them all and definitely did not think I had any left. But there it was—a note card, appearing out of the blue, that I had not seen in seven years and at a time when I once again was filled with grief. However, after reading the carefully thought out message that expressed the goodness of my grandfather and how much he loved his family as well as how much his family loved him, I believed it was truly a message from above.

My sadness was replaced with gladness, for I believed that God was letting me know that my grandfather was alright, and that he was welcoming a new friend into heaven—Pop Holmes. I will always cherished this reminder of my grandfather's life, his note sent to me from heaven.

Photos: Genma Holmes 

Father's Day Tribute to Eldridge Dickey on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Audio of show can be found HERE.

"your family will always be
they help define just who you are
and will be apart of you eternally"

Eldridge "The Lord's Prayer" Dickey

 On Saturday, June 14, 2014 join us for a special Father's Day tribute to Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Posthumous Inductee Eldridge "The Lord's Prayer" Dickey. Hear from his son, Troy D. Dickey, former wide receiver for the University of Arizona, Cincinnati Bengals, NFL Europe, Iowa Barnstorm and Texas Cooper Heads, share about his father in a way that only a son could.

Listen to Troy discuss Eldridge Dickey's life not as a revered athlete who broke numerous records but as a father who loved his family. Hear little known facts like Eldridge Dickey's family professional sport lineage started with the Negro Baseball League, Eldridge Dickey babysat other well known athletes, Eldridge Dickey the counselor and Eldridge Dickey the grandfather. Troy will share why he has not talked about his father publicly and why the Dickey family has stayed away from the media spotlight since the death of his father in 2000.

Troy D. Dickey University of Arizona 92-93

Brayden Lenius Chaminade College Preparatory Class of 2014

Tune in to hear Troy Dickey share about his son, Brayden Lenius, and how much he wants him to succeed in life whether he has a professional football career or not. Listen to me share with Troy about meeting and interviewing Brayden at the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame held in Nashville in May. I will share with Troy that it was my interaction with Brayden that prompted me to interview others who knew Eldridge Dickey when he was a quarterback at Tennessee State University as well as other family members.

Eldridge Dickey's legacy is still felt at the Tennessee State University decades after he played football there.You will also hear Brayden Lenius acceptance of his grandfather's Posthumous Award at the Tennessee Sport Hall of fame Induction Ceremony.

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

This Father's Day message is timeless and shows the power of love, grace, and forgiveness.

Living Your Best Life Radio, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life. can be heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, Tune In, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also air on WTST, a member of the HBCU radio network (XM 142).

More About Eldridge Dickey 
 

Tennessee State's QB Eldridge Dickey #10, RB Bill Tucker #32, and WR John Robinson #84

His football career at Tennessee State University spanned from 1964-1967 where Dickey was a three-time HBCU All-American. In 1966, Dickey led the school to its first undefeated, untied and National Black College Football Championship. The Oakland Raiders made history on January 30, 1968 when they selected quarterback, Eldridge Dickey, as the 25th overall selection in the AFL/NFL draft. Making him the first black quarterback to be taken in the first round of any draft.


To see more photos from the TN Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, click here.

Photo credits: Tennessee State University Archives, University of Arizona Archives, Oakland Raiders Archives, and Courtney Sellers for TN Sports Hall of Fame

Poem Verse: Family is Like by Nicole M. O'Neil