“The Clairvoyant Leader” by Tarrell Harrison Jr.
As generations progress, the next generation stands on the shoulders of those who have come before them. Shoulders that provide a clairvoyant view of life through experience, insight, and perspective come with the responsibility of being a great leader. There are hidden jewels when we pull back the layers of history that remind us of where we come from and inform us where we are and where we will go. Reflecting on my adolescent years, I experienced a parent who struggled with substance abuse, the pressure of joining gangs, and other social and systemic pressures that young Black men face. Yet, I remember the courageous individuals who believed in me enough to place me on their shoulders as they prepared the next generation for tomorrow.
The Midnight Tailor Clothing Line prides itself on being a missioned based business that relies heavily on the art of hard work, dedication, and the sacrifice it requires to fulfill a dream. In the essence of high lighting, those who have trailblazed the initiative of giving back, The Midnight Tailor Clothing Line would like to recognize a longtime coach, mentor, community activist, philanthropist, leader, father, brother, and friend Gerald Bradford. It's difficult to speak on the character of Gerald Bradford through the lens that I see him in without my emotions boiling over. He has been nothing short of respectful, truthful, empathetic, and understanding from the first day of meeting him at Garfield Playing Field, my Bantam year of C.A.Y.A. (Central Area Youth Association) football. A relationship that began in my pre-teens and remains strong long into adulthood. My journey through adolescence to adulthood hasn't always been an ideal hallmark of positivity and promise. There were dark moments when I wasn't living up to my potential and greatness. A part of humility that would make me hide or avoid interactions with Coach Bradford because I knew he was expecting me to relay a message to him that illustrated my progress as a man, which would make him proud. Growing up with similar barriers, the coach saw through my lies and excuses but constantly encouraged me to make better decisions.
Coach Bradford is a Seattle native that graduated from Garfield High School and The University of Washington. He began coaching football at age 21, not too far removed from his adolescent years. While serving his community through the vessel of football, football was only one of the priorities as he constantly pushed for academic excellence. A standard channeled through weekly academic progress reports, and its completion was stringent on whether players could suit up on Saturdays. This requirement taught us that this world is more significant than football, teaching us the value of commitment, responsibility, and accountability and that no one is bigger than the team, despite how talented you are on the field.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and pick the brain of Coach Bradford on issues that I looked to him for his insight. Our passions intersect with serving youth who share similar backgrounds as we do. So, in my first question that I asked Coach Bradford, I asked him to reflect on "what inspired him to start coaching and working with youth?". Coach's response solidified my self-worth and belief in myself: "you're tomorrow, and I have to be here to teach you today to get to tomorrow." Knowing that someone looked at me as "tomorrow" with the potential to lead the next generation inspires me to push harder to create a better world for my children and the children I serve in my community. Coach Bradford's coaching career began with a longtime friend and classmate, Lamont Rice, who asked if he would assist him in the fall of 1989 at C.A.Y.A. As Coach Bradford and Rice began coaching, they agreed to push the emphasis of education on their student-athletes as they once pushed each other academically.
As gang culture emerged in the early 90s, Coach Bradford noticed Black youth suffering from the consequences of their choices institutionally and in their mortality. Using Love, patience, and understanding to drive the importance of loving yourself through football was the catalyst to developing lifelong relationships. Creating bonds with strangers with a natural love to invest in the future was the basis of his coaching journey. As I sat with Coach Bradford, the more he shared, the more I began to see my journey in a fuller capacity.
Further in our conversation, we addressed the setbacks we have experienced with gatekeepers, funding, upper management, and stockholders within the spectrum of serving our communities. We have a broad perspective on this topic as two patrons who have served youth in our community within the scope of education, substance abuse, restorative practices, coaching, job training, and mentorship. Coach Bradford spoke on his theory of the cultural disconnect between those passionate about moving the Black agenda forward and those systemically positioned to ensure the resources provided for the underprivileged are not given to those in need. In addition to the theory of a cultural disconnect, we focused on the importance of doing meaningful work and how education helps us get in the seat of decision-making. The pain of working against a system constructed to set roadblocks has taken its toll on Black leaders. It will take like-minded individuals from Black communities to transform and educate the upcoming generations. We also touched on the numbers game of the nonprofit sector and how the funding stipulations dictate who receives services and those who get pushed to the waste side. This form of pressure places unknown barriers around the work of Case Managers, Program Coordinators, and professionals filling direct service roles. Less rigorous guidelines for funding, shorter intake processes, and more focused outreach strategies are some concepts that we can begin with to create a systemic change.
(DRAMATIC PAUSE)
Unfortunately, while writing this article, I learned that longtime friend and coach, Lamont Rice, has passed. Coach Lamont Rice was mentioned earlier in the paper and played a significant role in starting Coach Bradfords' coaching career. Therefore, I want to shift the mood of this article toward the acknowledgment of Coach Rice and Coach Bradford. By any means, I do not wish to take away from the recognition of Coach Bradford. My brother and business partner Tony Harrison reflected on our memories of these two gentlemen when I shared the news of Coach Rice's passing. The concept that we emphasized and came back to during our conversation was how close we were to this pair of coaches. Coach Rice and Bradford were the funniest and most serious coaches ever. The countless dolphins we would have to run after practice were filled with jokes, whistle-blowing, and "shit talking" like no other. One thing is for sure; they pushed us to our limits on and off the field.
I want to leave my readers on a more joyous and grateful note. The Midnight Tailor Clothing Line celebrates those willing to sacrifice, put in long hours, and be determined to turn a dream into reality. I want to celebrate one of my biggest mentors, coaches, supporters, and friend. Coach Bradford, I have seen you serve your community and family relentlessly. I am a product of your belief in the generation following you and your Love of serving our youth and community. Stepping away from my business role as a man, I want to thank you for everything. Most of all, thank you for loving me and never giving up on me. Thank you to those who took the time to read this article, and you have just been tailored.
"The Vangauard" by Tarrell Harrison Jr.
A focus on Appollonia Washington
We are seldomly granted the opportunity to encounter a burning heart; a soul thirsting to quench every ounce of its purpose is an incredible blessing. I was fortunate enough to sit down and pick the brain of a young lady that embodies every aspect of our mission here at The Midnight Tailor Clothing Line. Apollonia Washington, a Seattle native and Co-Owner of the A 4 Apple Learning Center alongside her mother, Deborah V. Coleman, is a heartwarming soul and a pleasure to get to know. Ms. Washington accepted my request to visit her learning center in hopes of getting to know her a bit more. Appollonia welcomed me with open arms, and the Love was felt soon as I entered the building.
A 4 Apple Learning Center provides Early Childhood Education for children ages 18 months to 5 years. It was Established in 1994, now serving our community for the past twenty-five years. The journey has had its share of turbulence—this story of the humble beginning of watching her single mother operating a learning center from within their home. As great minds do together, they developed a plan to move from their in-home site to a more established location. They reside in the heart of Seattle in our Central Area community. The A 4 Apple Learning Center is now a distinct representation of a Black-Owned business striving in a severely gentrified neighborhood. Cementing the Black culture where it has been impacted by gentrification is evident in how Ms. Washington's goal to push the old-time feeling of the Central Area as it once flourished with prominent Black businesses was a goal of restoration.
What intrigued me about Ms. Washington was her drive for excellence and the means to provide educational equity. With an emphasis on being accessible to low-income families, the family nature of the A 4 Apple Learning provides care and support for all families despite economic status, racial or religious backgrounds.
leading to the first question I asked, "Where does your passion come from regarding serving Families, toddlers, and early childhood education?" Having a front-row seat to her mother's dedication to families and children lit her cumbersome flame to bring change to the education system. Witnessing the long days and nights she saw her mother endure while raising a family, Ms. Washington responded by stating how "rewarding" it is to serve families with a hands-on approach to assisting their child's development. The "wow factors" and witnessing the improvements children make when someone cares to take the time to see them through their challenges. Challenges may reoccur as the child progresses through the school system.
As the discussion progressed, "family" was often mentioned in her approach and stated throughout the A4 Apple Learning Center's mission statement. I referred to the mission statement where it said, "A home away from home," and asked why this part of the mission statement was essential to the community"? "I don't want it to feel like an institution," Ms. Washington chanted several times as we conversed about the importance of family and being a mission-based business. One of the aspects of the education system looms over our families is the process of navigating Individual Education Plans (IEP). Ms. Washington expressed the need for educators, administrators, and other school officials to walk families through the process of IEPs students are granted when they are struggling academically. The A 4 Apple Learning prides itself on recognizing developmental delays and walking parents through the advocacy process if their child is a student who would likely require an IEP. "Developing a universal curriculum" that caters to preparing students and parents through recognized setbacks before entering 1st grade is a goal of Ms. Washington's. Developing a universal curriculum with a strength-based approach that combats the negative nuances that families struggle with while navigating the school system. The two of us continued to speak to the historic and systemic barriers that people of color experience within the education system. As a professional with 15 years of experience serving our youth in several capacities, it was refreshing to hear Ms. Washington speak about the importance of community and family. She consistently said about her mission to assist parents and build a bridge that dismantles the disconnection between school and family.
In closing, the last question I asked was, "what value would she like families to take away from their experience at the A 4 Apple Learning center?". Ms. Washington expressed how "love, leadership, and individuality" were among the values she would like families to take away through their experience. Love is the foundation and root of all things, no matter where you are. Leadership pertains to taking ownership of your destiny through the journey while navigating the education system. Lastly, individuality speaks to families rising to the occasion with confidence and the ability to show up against the racist infrastructure that people of color endure in the education system. Ms. Washington spoke highly of her staff and the high expectations she has to push for excellent outcomes. The team can further their education to ensure they learn the skills to provide a top-tier academic experience.
Ms. Appollonia Washington is a modern-day vanguard on how to provide opportunities for families to be part of their child's development before entering the larger institutions of education, which is an essential first step towards shifting generational opportunities and wealth. As an established business owner, Ms. Washington has experienced several challenges. Still, the one we dove deep into in the conclusion of our conversation was becoming a face of an organization. Leadership has many aspects, and courage has become her most vital asset throughout this journey.
The expansion has brought upon presenting herself in the community, business meetings, and other opportunities to earn more funding for the A 4 Apple Learning Center. This newfound responsibility has called for Ms. Washington to be a much more vocal leader and advocate. However, she has wrestled with being shy and reserved; but it was not noticeable during our conversation. I sat across a strong, innovative, and remarkable Black woman with her sights on horizons further than the human eye could see. She spoke with confidence and with the fearlessness of a lioness. She shared her ideas and future education goals for the A 4 Apple learning Center and herself. Her contributions to this world, our children, and where I call home have impacted our community greatly. I left with the notion that our future is in great hands by hearing Ms. Washington reiterate that the foundation of the A4 Apple Learning Center's first brick of construction was Love.
Thank you for taking the time to read a small glimpse of a hometown hero amongst us. I leave you with a quote from James Baldwin that resonated with my conversation with Ms. Appollonia Washington.
"Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. I use the word "love" here not merely in the personal sense but as a state of being, or a state of grace - not in the infantile American sense of being made happy but in the tough and universal sense of quest and daring and growth."
You've just been tailored,
Rell Harrison Jr CEO of The Midnight Tailor Clothing Line