By Donald Glover
(BALTIMORE – June 1, 2024) – Regular readers of this column will immediately notice the byline. This one uniquely notes my government name. That’s because the people of this story knew me long before I received an Emmy nomination and many other awards. Believe me, they are not impressed by that. I think they will admit that after a half-century of knowing each other, we share a common bond, love, and gratitude that so many today can only dream of. So, fasten your seatbelt and hold down your hat as we ride through memory lane.
Let me add that the beauty of yesterday’s Matthew Alexander Henson Elementary School Reunion is best put by classmate, friend, and basketball standout Derick Boyd: “Legendary! The legends showed up and showed out. That was awesome. It was legendary because we’re here, Doni. To be connected to good people for 50 years, and we still enjoy seeing each other.”
We are still here.
Emmett “Darryl” Motley. Reginald Matthews. While they are no longer with us, we still call their names.
For those who remain, last night was a celebration of life.
The question came up last night as we perused the room: How many years did the people in that room spend in prison? Take a guess! Collectively, we spent zero years in prison. Not that we do not know people who did, but the people last night had not. That certainly counters the statistics.
Growing up in West Baltimore, we were all one bad decision from spending a lifetime in prison. Trouble was ubiquitous. Heroin and cocaine were not far away. None of us were strangers to murder and death. Poverty was no stranger.
Despite it all, what we did have was love. And as Jimmy said last night, we feared our parents. He was so right.
The evening started with a bountiful prayer by Marty Purnell. I am so proud to have known him my entire time in West Baltimore. When we moved to my mom’s house on Moreland Avenue, the first 8 or 9 years of my life were in East Baltimore.
The Westside was a different animal. While I had seen fights before, West Baltimore showed me what a ‘bank’ looks like. I found the character was different ‘over West.’ The rules were different. Hell, there were no rules. Yet, I would come to learn how to navigate. And the people in the picture helped me along the way.
Buggy was in the house. Known more widely as Irvin Nore (he is a nationally recognized food management guru), Buggy and Derick were basketball aficionados. Me – I was over at James Mosher Baseball with classmate Gerald Quarles. Basketball and I were not the best of friends. I love the game, but having seen Darryl Motley’s effortless finger roll growing up, I knew I wouldn’t likely master that art. My finger roll never looked that elegant. It was downright ugly. I loved to play, but baseball was more my thing.
Marty Purnell showed us all how to ride a skateboard and do a handstand while doing so. This was long before Tony Hawk. Marty was and is still that creative mastermind who is always creating and building. So, too, is Gordon “Pat” Wilder. He loved model cars as a child and fixed automobiles as an adult.
And please don’t forget the ring leader, William Fitzgerald White. While he was a teacher’s nightmare back in school, he has paid it forward ten times because he teaches students with special needs today. William was there when my dad died. I was there when his mom died.
John McCauley is a bully to some, a heart of gold to others, and a biblical scholar to yet another segment. He had several brothers. Many of us went to see him when his family experienced death. While he loves dressing and riding his Harley Davidson, he is really a warm-hearted brother who will always be there for his loved ones.
Ms. Margaret Powell, while not in our class, came out anyway. And please do not forget the one lady who showed up: Deneen Fassett. Boy, did she have stories to tell. So did Kevin Gresham. We were joined virtually by Gary DeLeaver, Gary Fullwood, and Kenny Parker. I guess we all did as we reminisced over yesterday. How beautiful. Terra Café Bmore provided a wonderful backdrop. Thanks, Terence and staff. Great food and affordable, too.
Great job, fam! Y’all looked great, and I am grateful to know you. Thank you for being my friend.
