The Roads We'veTraveled - Volume III

Aldra Henry Allison Darlene Ross Helena Williams, Member Lincoln Memorial United Church of Christ Kelly Redmond Michael A. Guynn - Guynn Family Foundation Nuturing Chefs L.A., Inc Donna Perkins Mayada Tranel-Chachere' Leonard Special thanks to two very special people, who paused from global responsibilities to submit their cherished family photos to this project: Wendy Raquel Robinson, award winning actress and co-founder of Amazing Grace Academy, and Dr. Barbara McCoo Lewis, General Supervisor of the Church of God in Christ worldwide. My gratitude for your support is immense!

The Roads We’ve Traveled: Lifting Up OUR OWN Black History Through the Journey of Our Families Volume III © February 2023 Los Angeles, CA

“Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author

Presenting to you, Volume III of The Roads We’ve Traveled, a collection of our phenomenal family stories. These are snapshots of our success, struggle, resilience, humble beginnings, brilliance, and mystery—- presented in this digital, and now printed, book project. Thank you to the sponsors and to each story contributor for supporting this project. We owe this documentation to our future generations. Our family history is valuable. Identifying our family tree is important, but the stories we tell will add depth and validation to our ancestors’ lives; and the photos connect each generation to faces and places that have never been experienced. Let’s continue to uplift OUR OWN Black history stories. Stated so beautifully by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Yes! Enjoy the images and narratives on these pages, share this book with others, and plan to make a submission for Volume IV in 2024! In service, Arnetta Mack Project Creator & Book Design



This photo was taken in Carrier Mills, (Saline County) Illinois, circa 1920, of Isaac “Ike” Cole b. 1863 d. 1949 son of Henry Cole & Martha Anderson & wife Mary Leola Taylor b. 1870- d. 1953 daughter of Calvin R. Taylor & Elizabeth Blackwell. Born to their union were eleven children. Ike Cole loved his family & enjoyed working as a laborer on the farm and in the Coal Mine. Mayada TC Leonard 2nd great granddaughter of Isaac & Mary L. Cole

Andrew Jackson Hurdle (AJ), my Great-Great Grandfather born in North Carolina, on December 25, 1847, sold from parents and five siblings, brought to Texas; served as a slave and playmate. Enjoyed favor and allowed to self-educate himself after curing his master’s son of stuttering. At 17, AJ became a runaway slave and later began a prolific life that included becoming an ordained deacon, establishing churches, schools and colleges, amassing 500 acres of land, fathering 25 children, owning mills and much more. Lura Daniels-Ball President, Our Authors Study Club / Owner, Lura’s Kitchen

My Great Grandmother Sylvia Stevens-Walton. Her daughter Hattie Walton, married Thomas Brown, the parents of my father Booker T. Brown and his 8 siblings. Sylvia was born in Big Sandy, Texas (Elam Springs), on May 13, 1858 and died on January 23, 1950. I am very blessed to have this blood running through my veins. They were hard working farmers that farmed, built, lived, and raised their families on their own beautiful acres of land. Darlene Brown - Ross Board Member L.A. South HOPE Foundation

My great-grandfather Nathan Harris was born October 7, 1862 and died December 15, 1941. He lived in Panola County, Texas. In the area known as Carthage. He was born towards the end of slavery and died before the civil rights era began. During his lifetime he accrued acres of land in Texas that remains in our family to this day. With no education he believed in family legacy and the power of real estate. Coach Wendy Season of Greatness WendyGladney.com

Georgia “Wee Wee” Johnson Georgia is my grandmother’s cousin, and she is now the 94-year-old matriarch. Wee Wee shares a special relationship with my Grandma Maxine, my mother Emma, my daughter Jada, and I with her unique way of making everyone feel loved. She has accomplished a great deal, and I love hearing stories about her childhood, college days, career, world travels, and our family. Her beautiful, sweet, loving spirit is a gift to all who cross her path. Kelly Redmond Executive Director Impact Media & Entertainment

Dorothy Calhoun Boone was an unsung Trailblazer who paved the way for many. In the photo, she is the only Black staff member at Florence Nightingale School in the late Forties in Los Angeles. She roses from a clerk to Personnel Analyst with LAUSD. She assisted many in the community with finding a job with LAUSD. She retired after 35 years with the District. She proud graduate of Jefferson High School c/o 42, and LACC. Aldra Henry Allison Cousin

My father, one of the most attractive guys I've ever met, was 25 years old when this photo was taken. That’s me in the stroller. He was a loving son, husband, father, uncle, cousin, and friend. He and my mother migrated north to Indiana in search of employment during the massive Black migration of the 1940s and 1950s. Because he could fix anything, at 40, dad went back to school and became a certified millwright. Peggy White Founder and CEO OMG Women Outreaching Women

Trustees of St. Rita in 1935 were, left to right: seated, William McGee, Father Strange, Father McShane; standing, Fred B. Triplett, Charles Sansbury, Sr., Morris Guynn, George C. McElroy

My grandfather, Morris Guynn, was one of the 1st church trustees of St. Rita Catholic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the early 1920’s. St. Rita was the 1st Black Catholic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He also assisted in the construction of the current edifice built in 1958. This photo is from 1935. My grandfather is standing in the middle, right, 2nd to the end. Michael A. Guynn GUYNN FAMILY FOUNDATION



This is my paternal grandmother, Georgia Ann Pass, born April 22, 1922 in Temple, Texas. She married Arnold White, Sr., and they had six children. My dad, Arnold, Jr., was the oldest child. In 1952, they all moved to California and she worked for the VA hospital. She was involved in a disabling car accident where her arm was severed off. She made medical history when she became the first person to have her arm sewn back on and the nerves reattached. She was unable to work after that and became an entrepreneur, active in church & social clubs, loved coordinating bus trips, cooking, tending to her garden and animals, and hosting huge family gatherings. At the time of her passing in 2008, she had 40 grand-children, 64 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Arnetta Mack Third oldest grand-daughter

My Father & Mother, Elder Richard McCoo and Mother Sue A. McCoo Dr. Barbara McCoo Lewis

My Mother, Daisy Newsom, was raised on 18th Street in Los Angeles, on what was known as the “East Side” during a time of Black Pride. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology School, became Court Stenographer, and worked for the County of Los Angeles under Dr. Thomas Noguch, Coroner to the Stars! She traveled the world, was the 1st African American certified cruise Counselor in the USA. She is our Ancestors greatest vision of excellence! Kandee Lewis President & CEO Positive Results Corporation

This is my mother, Helen Maxile Williams, (b)1924, (d) 2004. She and our father had seven children, I am the oldest. Where we lived, employment was limited, so they took whatever jobs were available. There was always enough food, clothes and plenty of love to go around. Our father died when I was 19 and my brother Howard was killed in Vietnam. She struggled, but the love overflowed and we’re all law-abiding citizens scattered across the country. Helena Williams Lincoln Memorial United Church of Christ

This is my uncle, Carl Perkins. He was a jazz pianist whose career was just taking off in California when, unfortunately, he died at the young age of 29 in 1958. One of his original compositions is “Grooveyard”. My father, Peter Perkins, and his brother Carl were among the 12 children of Bessie and Edward Perkins of Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m proud to say that lots of musical and artistic talent runs on my Perkins side. Donna Perkins Hospitality Committee Member of National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), View Park Section



The road I traveled with my parents, Jan and Annie Sauls has been a road of joy, pain, sunshine and rain. Perseverance and resilience shaped their agency and dignity through the system of \"apart-hate.\" Their courage and compassion continue to be a significant source of guidance for three generations. Whether home in Johannesburg or Los Angeles, I leverage the power of their memory for consistent refinement of purpose, and nourishment of spirit. Rev. Kelvin Sauls, Co-Founder Beloved Community Coalition (South Africa)

In a small community in Willowbrook, CA where we grew up, fun time was spent around the swing set in Mrs. Smock’s yard. Chef Cheryl Tate Nurturing Chefs L.A.

Bishop James A. Lewis, Sr. Founder of the New Antioch Church of God in Christ Los Angeles, CA Founder, Pastor 1970-2006, Visionary leader, builder, community leader. Dr. Barbara McCoo Lewis Wife, Co-Founder



This picture is LOVE and LEGACY personified. My parents were married 70 years until my father's passing in 2017, this is their 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. It's special to me because my parents never had a 'real wedding,' my dad was sent off to war. My sisters and I put our heads and hearts together giving them the Wedding of their dreams... surrounded by love, laughter and family, in my backyard! Black Love is Real! Wendy Raquel Robinson Co-Founder, Amazing Grace Conservatory



A huge part of our family traditions were family bonding time. Wednesday nights were Movie Nights, where the family went to Blockbusters to rent a movie. Everyone got a chance to choose a movie. \"Da Baby\" at 10 years old introduced the family to Kat Williams. Sunday mornings were breakfast at Roscoe's in Pasadena. Religiously. Dr. Anthony A. Samad

We hope that you enjoyed these stories! A portion of the proceeds from sponsorships of Volume III will support the programs of the L.A. South HOPE Foundation www.southlahope.org —————————— Digital volumes available for online viewing & information for making a submission for the next volume can be found at: www.arnettamack.com/projects

Past Contributors, Sponsors, & Supporters Agin Shaheed Greg Akili Pastor Thembekila Smart Alexandria Mack Janet Denise Kelly Phyliss M. Chestang Andrea Jackson K.S. Operations Positive Results Center Angela Adams Kandee Lewis Reamus Muhammad Ardena Barnes-Brooks Kathryn Lawson Butler Robin Cole Arnetta Mack Kelly Maxine Redmond, Impact Sandra Hall-Hill Bryan Mack Media & Entertainment Coalition Sauls Strategic Solutions Chef Cheryl Tate Kirk D. Samuels Stephanie Haynes Cymone Mack Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi Vincent/Lynn/Thembekila/Malcolm Cynthia Billingslea L.A. South Hope Foundation - GPMC Educational Foundation Cynthia Brooks, KBLA1580 Talk Lady Patricia Lewis Vivian Bowers-Cowan, Bowers & Radio Linda Morgan Sam Sons Cleaners Desiree Edwards Mack Enterprises Unlimited Watts Coffee House Dr. Sarah ShaBazz, High Desert Michelle A. Andrews Wendy Gladney Section-NCNW Nancy M. Rene, L.A. South Women of SCLC-SC Dr. Tran Lewis Chamber of Commerce Dwight Wilson Niblet Family Fran Jemmott Rollins Nicole D. Vick Gail White-Biggers, View Park Nurturing Chefs L.A. Section-NCNW Olivia Howard Harris

“The Roads We’ve Traveled” - Volume III Project & Book Design by Arnetta Mack Look for Volume IV- February 2024