Kentwood Soldier Honored Posthumously

Photo Credit: Kentwood Newspaper 1968

Army PPC Charles Leo Pool was honored posthumously at the Kentwood City Hall. PFC Pool was killed in action in Vietnam on October 26, 1968. The award was presented to his parents, Mr. and Mrs Milton Pool of Tangipahoa.

The Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism: The official report states, for heroism not involving serial flight.

He received the Purple Heart,  Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal. Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon,  and Combat Infantryman Badge.

He attended Dillon High School. He was funeralized on November 6, 1968. Many African American men went off to serve in Vietnam. Several men in my family served in Vietnam.  Nurturing Our Roots Television Talk Show with host Kentwood Native-Antoinette Harrell salute Army PPC Charles Leo Pool.

Source:

The Kentwood Newspaper-1968

Eric Brumfield A Role Model and Mentor

Eric Brumfield
Photo Credit: Connor LaCoste

At the young age of 15 years old, Eric experienced tragedy struck. While participating in one of the various sports that he love and gave considerable efforts, he suffered a catastrophic spinal injury that left him a quadriplegic. After such an experience, the potential for hopelessness and despair can overtake one's life. With support from family, friend, the community and my faith in God, he  gracefully persevering.

In 2014, Eric was a candidate to become a school board member of the Tangipahoa Parish School System. He didn't allow defeat in the race to stop his progress. Being defeated was not an option for Eric.  "The passion for enriching the lives of the youth in my town and surrounding communities in my driving force," said Eric. This summer marked the fourth year for the enrichment camp that Eric spearhead. I had an opportunity to visit the camp this year, I found the students very engaged in their camp activities and the camper leaders working hard with the campers.

The summer campers are striving for academic excellence, enjoying field trips and learning financial

Literacy. Eric and staff were excited about the upcoming college tour of Tuskegee University, Georgia Tech, and other colleges. Although he did not complete the coursework to attain his college degree immediately after high school. He is inspired and has enrolled in college to complete his studies that he started.

Eric didn't allow losing the election for school board member stop him from working hard provide educational opportunities for our youth. He is one of the hardest working people I know. He doesn't allow his physical challenges to stop him. The community of Kentwood appreciates all that he does for our children and our community. Eric will never know just how much he has impacted the lives of generations to come because he chose to help mentor one child.  Eric could have allowed his disability challenged to stop him. But he decided not to allow it to get in his way. He is committed to our youth in our community. 

This summer the campers went to Avery Island, Louisiana to visit the Tabasco company. Nicolette Gordon and Eric spend a lot of long hours working on exciting educational field trips for our children. They are a powerful team that is preparing our youth for greatness. 

The fact that they didn't wait for anyone else to come in and start a summer camp for the youth. They

Avery Island, Louisiana
Photo Credit: Nicolette Gordon

realized it wasn't going to happen if they didn't do it. Eric is truly a role model, and he is aware how important it is for children to have role models and mentors.

I attended my first meeting as a newly appointed board member for the Louisiana Statewide Independent Council and I had to inform the board about the work that Eric is doing in the Town of Kentwood. 

Eric wants to expose our youth to other places, cultures, travels, and food. He knows that traveling and being expose are part of educational process. Many schools in our parish do not take the children on fields trips. Eric understand the valuable learning experiences outside the classroom is important for our children. 

Kentwood After-School & Summer Enrichment Program

Today was the first day of summer camp for kids age 6-13, who is excited to learn and explore new educational adventures. The camp will offer science technology, math, creative writing, iRadio, sports, healthy living, gardening and Y.A. Know.

They're looking forward to going on educational field trips. I interviewed Eric Brumfield the Camp's Director. He said that this is the second year for the summer camp. "I wanted to see a summer camp for the kids," said Eric.  Summer camps weren't available to me as a child Eric pointed out.

We have available space for other kids, said Eric. It's not too late to register your child for summer camp.  A fee of ten dollars can register your child. The camp fees are ten dollars a week. There is a lot of great benefits to summer camp. A wide variety of activities can only help the youth enhance their educational and fun learning skills. Learning should be fun for all children.

Antoinette Harrell Encourage Genealogist to Donate Their Collections

Harrell donating 2017 collection

My family roots run deep in the Florida Parishes. When I first started researching my family history in the local libraries and university, I couldn't find any records, photographs, and any other genealogy resources. I know that my family has been in the parishes since the founding of the parishes and contributed to the society they lived in. 

They owned their land, they built their one-room schools. African American people in the Florida parishes worked hard to own and maintain their own farms and some owned their own business. They served in the military and not one monument with their names listed can be found throughout the Florida Parishes.  "Why wasn't their contributions documented?" As I moved forward to pursue my own genealogy research as planned. I started collecting photographs, documents, artifacts and genealogical records from other African American families in the Florida Parishes, I had to find a repository to deposit the items collected. 

Bennett donating family files

In 2012, I called the office of Samuel Hyde, Jr. Ph.D., Professor of History and Director, Center for Southeast La. Studies/Archives to set up an appointment with him to talk with him about the rich collections. After talking with Dr. Hyde, he informed me that he would be happy to archive the collections, and how   important it is to the history of the Florida Parishes. The collection  help fill in the missing pieces of history in the Florida Parishes as it relates to African American people. 

I asked my colleague Bernice Alexander Bennett a Maryland resident, who is the host of "Research at the National Archives and Beyond," author, genealogist, family historian to consider donating her family papers and research to the Center for Southeast La. Studies/Archives. She agreed to donate her collection to the center.  Bennett spends countless of hours researching civil war records for Louisiana color troops at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Another genealogy researcher named Stephanie Quiette-Addison Martin, spent twenty-five years  researching and documenting the history of African Americans in the Florida Parishes, Martin has submitted work to Afrigeneas and to Christine's Genealogy website. She is also published in the "Louisiana Genealogical Register." Martin offered to donate her extensive collection to the Center for Southeast La Studies/Archives. She has collected over 10,000 names. Martin is the Manager of the African American Archives for  Louisiana

Karran Harper Royal, co-host of "Nurturing Our Roots Television Talk Show," and Executive Director of the Georgetown University 272. Royal is a native of New Orleans and talks about the impact of Georgetown. 272 slaves were sold to benefit Georgetown University.

Words can't explain how delighted and happy I am to hear that these noted and reowned genealogists  and family historians will follow the lead and donate their collections to the center.  

North Tangi News-Sweet Home Baptist Church Museum

Donated Laptop Computer for Kentwood High School Senior

Mr. Rochell Bates, Tatyanna Robinson and Antoinette Harrell
Photo Credit: Angela Bates

Kentwood High School Senior Tatyanna Robinson received a laptop computer today from Bellarmine College Preparatory School and Gathering of Hearts. Gathering of Hearts Co-founder Antoinette Harrell wanted to donate a computer to a student who work hard to excel and maintain good grades. 

Robinson is planning to go to school for nursing after graduating from high school. Harrell had one request for Robinson, she asked her to give back to someone once she becomes successful. Without hesitation Robinson agreed to help someone else.

Rochell Bates, Principal and Guidance Counselor Barbara English chose Robinson, because she work so hard and is determined to beat all odds. Robinson was surprised and speechless for a moment. Giving back to our youth is very important.  Three laptop computers are going to be donated to the Kentwood Community Center for after school enrichment. 

Last week eight computers were donated to the St. Helena Multi Purpose Center for after school enrichment. The board of directors were excited to get the computers. They're planning to get the internet service next week. After school Enrichment Centers are needed in rural communities that can assist with homework and enrichment resources and programs to expand learning opportunities in technology, the arts and tutoring.

Adult Coloring at the Council on Aging

Yvonne Hill McGray and Charles Bennett

Today I went to visit the Council on Aging in the Town of Kentwood. I met so many wonderful people with great stories to tell. From quilting to preserving vegetables and fruit. So many of them have a lifetime of experiences and stories to share with me. 

Mrs. Helen comes from a long line of quilters in her family. She asked me if I knew what rice custard is? I told her my mother use to make rice custard for dessert when I was a child. What about cornbread gravy she asked? That was my first time hearing about the cornbread dressing. I can't wait to hear her oral history stories. One of the other ladies told me she spoke french. She said her family origin traces back to Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. 

Pam Lewis
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Some were coloring to release the stresses of life. Many people think that coloring is for children, well things have changed and some adults are finding enjoyment and relaxation in coloring. Yvonne McGray introduced adult coloring to the center. At the time when she was introducing coloring in the center, it wasn't received well. "Oh no!" Yvonne said, no one in the center wanted to color, but they quickly changed their minds. Now everyone proud display books of beautiful completed artwork. 

They all have their choice of coloring supplies, ranging from coloring markers to coloring pencils. Now, some of the elders are fining joy in coloring.  Pam Lewis said it's therapy for her. She suffers with arthritis in her hands and fingers and she said that coloring helps relieve the pain. " I'm color blind," said Charles.Their beautiful adult coloring is displayed on the wall. 

The local library feature their coloring art work on display as well. Please stop by to see their coloring art display.