Mildred's Corner

THE LADY BEHIND THE INSPIRATION

My mother, Mildred, was exactly what her name implied. She was an extraordinary woman; mild yet strong. As I grew older, I learned of her story and how she defied the odds. She didn't have an education, yet she pushed me to study science. I never saw her visit a museum, yet she exposed me to music and the arts.  Though orphaned, unloved and spending her formative years in a convent, she showered me and her younger siblings with love. Only had two sons, yet she was honored to name all her younger sisters' children. By all indication, she should have been a very cold and callous person. Yet she was resilient, strong, and dignified. Not knowing her own father she was wise and unselfish enough to realize the importance of a father to a child, especially to boys. She encouraged that relationship and facilitated it at all times.

HER CONNECTION TO HARLEM

Her connection to Harlem was when she and my brother took the A train at midnight  to 32nd Precinct to save me from a career of delinquency and crime. I knew that mom was ambidextrous. At midnight I learned about how effective it was in throwing punches. I soon learned how valuable the skill of being a south paw was to a fighter. They possessed power in both hands. When mom was done with me, my only thoughts were, where are the cops when you needed them? That night her skills as a fighter caused me to leave Harlem, straighten up my life only to return 35 years later. 

GIVE BACK

Mildred grew up in a convent where part of being a Catholic is to give back and feed the poor. As a child she took my brother and I to donate the bread that she made. After prayers, we then walked to the orphanages, and the old age homes/nursing homes. She often sought out those who had no family visits. These were the fortunate ones who received our gifts of freshly baked bread. 

YOU'RE GIVING BACK TOO

A portion of the profits will be donated to UNCF, the Diabetes Foundation, Sickle Cell Anemia, and the HEROES foundation.