WEBVTT 00:00:11.714 --> 00:00:18.678 - Good evening. Can you all hear me okay? Uh-huh, all right. All right, we want to welcome you all for 00:00:18.678 --> 00:00:25.848 - coming this evening. We know it's a cold, chilly Sunday afternoon and you could be almost anywhere else 00:00:25.848 --> 00:00:33.364 - but here today, so we really appreciate you being here. We also, before we go further, I'd like to introduce 00:00:33.364 --> 00:00:41.086 - the Men of Color, Men of Style Committee, Planning Committee. And you can kind of wave your arm if you're here. 00:00:41.410 --> 00:00:48.572 - Liz Mitchell, there you go Liz, all right. Kevin Jones, he's in the back. I might also add that this 00:00:48.572 --> 00:00:56.017 - evening we'll have two co-hosts for you today. I'll do the first part and Kevin Jones will do the second 00:00:56.017 --> 00:01:03.178 - part and bring it up. But Kevin's also on the committee. William Knox, our Mr. DJ, man extraordinary 00:01:03.178 --> 00:01:05.022 - in the rear. Dana Burton, 00:01:05.538 --> 00:01:11.811 - She's probably running around. Dana is an employee here at the library. We couldn't pull this function 00:01:11.811 --> 00:01:18.084 - off without her for sure. And of course myself. Couple things that we'd like to try to do this evening 00:01:18.084 --> 00:01:24.235 - besides show you or this afternoon besides letting you see some of our men of color in the community 00:01:24.235 --> 00:01:30.630 - as we like to say strut their stuff. And I think you're going to see that these people really look sharp 00:01:30.630 --> 00:01:33.310 - as we always have known some of them to be. 00:01:33.698 --> 00:01:40.373 - However, what we'd also like to do is share a few black history month facts along or throughout this 00:01:40.373 --> 00:01:46.982 - show. We're gonna start off with, and I'm sure everyone's quite aware of Tony Dungy and Lovey Smith 00:01:46.982 --> 00:01:53.723 - and the significant contribution that they made in the historical impact. Way back in 1924, there was 00:01:53.723 --> 00:02:00.332 - another African American coach that coached in the NFL. His name was Frederick Douglas Pollard, but 00:02:00.332 --> 00:02:01.918 - his nickname was Fritz. 00:02:02.882 --> 00:02:10.424 - So Fritz Pollard was his name. 1924 was the first African American NFL coach. And he also, it was about 00:02:10.424 --> 00:02:17.023 - 68 years later before Archelle, the next first coach was hired in the NFL. Okay. Also from 00:02:17.023 --> 00:02:24.274 - a local standpoint, I know most of us know Mr. George Talaferro. Well, I hope many of you know that 00:02:24.274 --> 00:02:29.278 - George was the first African American that was drafted into the NFL. 00:02:30.146 --> 00:02:35.352 - Now of course he didn't go there, there was another league that offered him some more money and a little 00:02:35.352 --> 00:02:40.410 - bit better treatment I think, and he ended up in the NFL two seasons after that. But that's something 00:02:40.410 --> 00:02:45.368 - that we should know and should be very proud of. First African American to be drafted into the NFL. 00:02:45.368 --> 00:02:50.376 - And we'll give you a couple more of those throughout the evening. And I'm sure afterwards there will 00:02:50.376 --> 00:02:55.384 - be a reception as we're mingling and networking and you may have a few that you can share with me. I 00:02:55.384 --> 00:02:57.566 - would really truly appreciate that as well. 00:02:59.202 --> 00:03:05.929 - To move on with the show, I think we all understand that over the history of African Americans since 00:03:05.929 --> 00:03:12.657 - our arrival into America, we've always just had a sense of pride and style about the way we dressed. 00:03:12.657 --> 00:03:19.384 - Other than that very critical and oppressed time during slavery, we've always found a way to be more 00:03:19.384 --> 00:03:26.178 - colorful, to kind of add some style and put our own spin to certain things. Of course, when we wanted 00:03:26.178 --> 00:03:27.710 - to dress, we of course 00:03:28.354 --> 00:03:34.572 - We wanted to look like the mainstream. We wanted to look like the white man who wore the suits. That's 00:03:34.572 --> 00:03:40.790 - what we wanted to look, so we could be accepted into the mainstream. But even though if it was a white 00:03:40.790 --> 00:03:47.008 - shirt, black jacket, we always found a way to put a little something in the pocket, or maybe just flip 00:03:47.008 --> 00:03:53.044 - that collar just a little bit, which is the style that we're talking about this evening. One of the 00:03:53.044 --> 00:03:56.606 - most important things I think we have to do this afternoon 00:03:56.802 --> 00:04:02.530 - and I'm really proud of the gentlemen here. Before we get into looking at some of the clothing, we'd 00:04:02.530 --> 00:04:08.259 - like to recognize some of our men of color public safety officers this afternoon. We have several of 00:04:08.259 --> 00:04:14.157 - them in the back, and before we bring them out, there's a couple of comments that I'd like, or a couple 00:04:14.157 --> 00:04:19.999 - of quotes. I think in the Black History Month profiles that's been in the Hero Telephone, have we been 00:04:19.999 --> 00:04:23.742 - following those? Aren't those great? I think those are fantastic. 00:04:27.458 --> 00:04:34.801 - One of those persons highlighted was Officer Troy Thomas, who is a sergeant in the Monroe County Sheriff's 00:04:34.801 --> 00:04:41.664 - Department. Troy is a lifelong Bloomingtonian, and if not, I believe he's lifelong, and if not, the 00:04:41.664 --> 00:04:48.596 - great majority of his life, but I think I remember when Troy was born. We're getting old, aren't we? 00:04:48.596 --> 00:04:54.910 - But Troy is the only black officer in that department, and in the article, if you remember, 00:04:55.010 --> 00:05:01.134 - He says they never had a black officer and he felt it was a long shot for him to become employed there. 00:05:01.134 --> 00:05:07.259 - He also goes on to say that the reason that he finds the history of African Americans and Black History 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:13.147 - Month important is because people like that who have paved the way to make things like his position 00:05:13.147 --> 00:05:19.095 - and where he is at now, that's what made it important. So he recognizes that. He also goes on to say 00:05:19.095 --> 00:05:23.806 - don't believe the stereotypes. It's a good department and a good place to work. 00:05:24.898 --> 00:05:30.415 - One more officer and I hope I don't embarrass these gentlemen because they kind of talk to me and I'll 00:05:30.415 --> 00:05:35.771 - just use paraphrase some of their things. Officer George Robinson III. He's with Indiana University 00:05:35.771 --> 00:05:41.287 - Police Department. He is a 20-year veteran from the Louisville Police Department and he now works here 00:05:41.287 --> 00:05:46.697 - on campus at IUPD. In talking with him, I said, what do you think is kind of important that we would 00:05:46.697 --> 00:05:52.106 - like to let folks know about you and what it is you all do? He says, first of all, he wants everyone 00:05:52.106 --> 00:05:54.302 - to understand that he works in a service 00:05:54.402 --> 00:06:00.308 - oriented organization. So in his heart, and I think most of these officers feel like they're providing 00:06:00.308 --> 00:06:06.100 - a service to the community, and that's the way they look at it. He's also very interested in talking 00:06:06.100 --> 00:06:12.064 - to anyone. If you have an interest in law enforcement or want a career in that field, he'd love to talk 00:06:12.064 --> 00:06:17.569 - to you and give you a little inside advice or a little help or whatever you may need. And also, 00:06:17.569 --> 00:06:22.558 - and I said, well, you know, if you get involved in a situation, what is your approach? 00:06:22.818 --> 00:06:28.700 - Like, if you pull someone over, there's a situation you have to kind of control. And very astutely, 00:06:28.700 --> 00:06:34.758 - the man says, you know, you should think, and what I think is, when I'm walking in this, I think, what 00:06:34.758 --> 00:06:40.699 - can I do to help this situation? And he would prefer that the people that he's dealing with, if they 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:47.110 - thought the same way, what can I do to help the situation, it would be a much better, much better situation. 00:06:47.110 --> 00:06:52.286 - So without further ado, we'd like to bring these gentlemen out and share them with you. 00:06:52.802 --> 00:07:01.175 - at the end of the day, and we'll talk a little bit more, and we'd really like to give them some love 00:07:01.175 --> 00:07:09.631 - and show them our appreciation. First and foremost, I believe that is Mr. Lafayette Chamberlain. Now, 00:07:09.631 --> 00:07:16.926 - Lafayette is an employee with the United States Department of Agriculture. That's USDA. 00:07:17.954 --> 00:07:23.913 - You can just kind of stand there. Thank you. His position is law enforcement and investigation. Again, 00:07:23.913 --> 00:07:29.815 - that's with the USDA and that's federal, y'all. That's bigger than the county. That's bigger than the 00:07:29.815 --> 00:07:35.775 - state. That's federal, y'all. So I want you to understand. And we really appreciate it. It is entitled 00:07:35.775 --> 00:07:41.618 - Our Men in Blue or Our Men in Uniform on your program, but as you can see, our man looks really nice 00:07:41.618 --> 00:07:44.222 - in green as well. Thank you, sir. Thank you. 00:07:46.754 --> 00:07:55.455 - I will add that even though he's a Chicago Bear fan, we still love him. Who we have coming out next? 00:07:55.455 --> 00:08:04.242 - Mr. Donnie Bean. Donnie Bean is in the Bloomington Fire Department, exhibiting nicely our men in blue 00:08:04.242 --> 00:08:13.030 - style. I've known Donnie for several years. Donnie used to work at GE years ago, had a heck of a jump 00:08:13.030 --> 00:08:15.614 - shot back when he could jump. 00:08:16.994 --> 00:08:24.004 - And now he's a good man. We share duties and do good work at Second Baptist, and he's just a good person. 00:08:24.004 --> 00:08:30.683 - I'm proud to know Donnie, and thank you very, very much for coming out this afternoon. I also forgot 00:08:30.683 --> 00:08:37.494 - to mention, we were talking about law enforcement. We also invited a few military folks this afternoon 00:08:37.494 --> 00:08:44.702 - as well. We think it's very important, the things that they do. All right, brother. The things that they do. 00:08:44.866 --> 00:08:54.744 - to fight for our country and for our freedoms. This is, I'm not doing, Staff Sergeant? Sergeant First 00:08:54.744 --> 00:09:04.718 - Class, thank you. William Brown, with the United States Army. And I, are you active now, sir? No, he's 00:09:04.718 --> 00:09:13.918 - retired now. Thank you, sir. Therefore, I mentioned earlier, I mentioned Sergeant Troy Thomas. 00:09:16.802 --> 00:09:23.040 - And of course, our man in brown looks just as well as our man in blue. Was I correct in your lifelong 00:09:23.040 --> 00:09:29.155 - blooming, Tonya? You're correct. I am correct. I think I did. I think I did. Troy has turned out to 00:09:29.155 --> 00:09:35.270 - one of the common things with all of our folks is that they are great people beyond in the uniform, 00:09:35.270 --> 00:09:38.878 - these sorts of things. So thank you very, very much, Troy. 00:09:42.434 --> 00:09:50.590 - We have representatives again from IUPD. This is Officer George Robinson III. And to make sure I get 00:09:50.590 --> 00:09:58.826 - my notes correct, we have Officer Kevin Sadler. IUPD officers look good in their uniforms. And I work 00:09:58.826 --> 00:10:07.467 - on campus, and I got to tell you, these gentlemen treat people as nicely as I've ever seen law enforcement 00:10:07.467 --> 00:10:11.262 - folks. OK, right here with us now, Bloomington 00:10:11.714 --> 00:10:19.173 - Police Department's finest, Officer Jim Mitchell. Now Officer Mitchell is my understanding. I do know 00:10:19.173 --> 00:10:26.487 - he came here from Indiana State Police. Don't know if he retired or if he just came to Bloomington, 00:10:26.487 --> 00:10:33.946 - but I know he had substantial years of service there and he has substantial years of service here. So 00:10:33.946 --> 00:10:37.822 - Jim's my neighbor. We talk a lot, him and Liz and I. 00:10:38.018 --> 00:10:46.902 - We know someday that they may very well leave this town, and I know we're going to lose or miss them 00:10:46.902 --> 00:10:55.610 - when and if they go. We're going to try and talk them to stay in, though. Officer Anthony Gohmett. 00:10:55.610 --> 00:11:05.022 - You know, these retired folks, isn't it amazing that they still fit these nice uniforms? I mean, they just 00:11:05.154 --> 00:11:12.648 - Looked good. All right. Here's another of our men in blue. Officer Anthony Gomez currently works down 00:11:12.648 --> 00:11:20.069 - at Crane Naval Base. Also another hardworking individual at Second Baptist Church. We appreciate him 00:11:20.069 --> 00:11:27.857 - being here this evening as well. Does that finish up what we have? Okay. If I could, let me read a couple 00:11:27.857 --> 00:11:34.910 - quotes. And these are from, well, I'll just let you say. One is, I wish you could feel the hurt 00:11:35.106 --> 00:11:41.671 - as people verbally and sometimes physically abuse us or belittle what I do or as they express their 00:11:41.671 --> 00:11:47.843 - attitudes of it will never happen to me. Another quote, I wish you could know the brotherhood 00:11:47.843 --> 00:11:54.671 - and self-satisfaction of helping save a life or preserving someone's property or being able to be there 00:11:54.671 --> 00:12:01.302 - in time of crisis or creating order from total chaos. Now the point that I'm trying to make there is 00:12:01.302 --> 00:12:02.878 - that when you ask these 00:12:03.042 --> 00:12:07.903 - officers, what they think, and how they feel about their position. These are the type of things that 00:12:07.903 --> 00:12:12.860 - they would say. They're not the people that I know you hate when you see those lights in your wherever 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:17.865 - you're in, or rear view window. It's like, oh, what did I do? Why are they? And we say a couple things, 00:12:17.865 --> 00:12:22.918 - I'm sure. These are good people, and they just want to wonder, how can we help the situation? So they're 00:12:22.918 --> 00:12:27.779 - all in the back of their reserve seats. We had to leave a few step out. If you wouldn't mind joining 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:32.062 - me in showing them our true appreciation, I would truly, truly appreciate it. Thank you. 00:12:40.962 --> 00:12:47.557 - Thank you, gentlemen. Moving on into the program, one other quick black history fact. And as you can 00:12:47.557 --> 00:12:54.152 - tell, a lot of these are sports-oriented. I really like sports and enjoy. But there are a few things 00:12:54.152 --> 00:13:00.877 - that I didn't know. When it comes to African-American sports, I pretty much know some stuff. But there 00:13:00.877 --> 00:13:07.472 - are some things I didn't know. I'll mention the name Ceto Gaston. Does that ring a bell with anyone? 00:13:07.472 --> 00:13:08.190 - All right. 00:13:09.154 --> 00:13:16.304 - There you go. Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays was the first African American manager that won a World 00:13:16.304 --> 00:13:23.316 - Series pennant with the Toronto Blue Jays. Also, they repeat it. That was in 1992. They repeat it and 00:13:23.316 --> 00:13:30.396 - they won again in 1993. So probably something a lot of us maybe didn't hear about, but maybe we'll get 00:13:30.396 --> 00:13:37.477 - to some point someday where we won't have first anymore for African Americans. It'll just be something 00:13:37.477 --> 00:13:38.302 - that we do. 00:13:38.882 --> 00:13:44.992 - Something else that you could think about in this time of Black History Month, since that time, 00:13:44.992 --> 00:13:51.739 - I think Mr. Gaston managed two or three more years after, and believe it or not, has not been interviewed 00:13:51.739 --> 00:13:58.104 - or offered another manager's job since. So as I saw in a comic one day, as far as managers go, when 00:13:58.104 --> 00:14:04.469 - we're able to lose, get another job, lose, get another job, then I think we'll be on even kill with 00:14:04.469 --> 00:14:08.734 - a lot of the other managers. Okay, moving on to our next category, 00:14:08.866 --> 00:14:17.096 - the motherland roots. We thought that would be important after we talked with the servicemen to kind 00:14:17.096 --> 00:14:25.326 - of give you a little historical journey up into our current clothing. African wear was very colorful 00:14:25.326 --> 00:14:33.719 - and it flowed. Different colors denoted your religious affiliation or your tribal affiliations or your 00:14:33.719 --> 00:14:36.734 - social status. Now of course when we 00:14:36.866 --> 00:14:42.767 - were picked up and brought over in slavery, a lot of that was lost. So during that time of slavery, 00:14:42.767 --> 00:14:48.728 - our traditional African dress was sort of, well, it's flat out oppressed and suppressed. But back in 00:14:48.728 --> 00:14:54.688 - the motherland, that's what that signified. So you'll see men with long flowing garments. They'll be 00:14:54.688 --> 00:15:00.708 - very colorful. I think you will learn something today if, and I know most people are more astute than 00:15:00.708 --> 00:15:06.078 - this than I am in most cases, but African wears a lot more than Kenteclaw, trust me on it. 00:15:06.562 --> 00:15:14.677 - a lot more than just Kente cloth. If we're not further ado, if we'll, this gentleman coming out, Mr. 00:15:14.677 --> 00:15:22.872 - Cornelius Wright. Demonstrating a pullover tunica, and as you can see, it is flowing. Generally, that 00:15:22.872 --> 00:15:30.907 - would be worn with pants or sandals over in the motherland, and he might even have on a Kofi hat if 00:15:30.907 --> 00:15:35.326 - he were over there at this time. Thank you, Cornelius. 00:15:39.650 --> 00:15:49.313 - Coming next on the stage, Mr. Thomas Doyle. As you can see, he has the flowing, the bright color. Yeah. 00:15:49.313 --> 00:15:58.605 - And of course, he has the matching pants. Something like this may in fact, it may in fact symbolize 00:15:58.605 --> 00:16:06.782 - that he was of a higher social status over in Motherland. Of course, we cannot be sure. 00:16:07.810 --> 00:16:16.354 - It may signify that he's just above homelessness. However, he looks good in this. Thank you, Popcorn, 00:16:16.354 --> 00:16:25.150 - thank you. Okay, coming to the stage. And I might add, Mr. Larry Brown, and when we're in our reception, 00:16:25.150 --> 00:16:33.778 - talk with him. He is a businessman, a proprietor, and he can order and sells African wear via catalog, 00:16:33.778 --> 00:16:36.542 - but Larry would gladly help you. 00:16:37.218 --> 00:16:43.961 - Look at his outfit today. He, of course, has the matching coffee hat, the flowing garb. And again, it's 00:16:43.961 --> 00:16:50.510 - more than Kenny cloth. Look at some of these designs, folks. And these are things I think many of us 00:16:50.510 --> 00:16:57.059 - have forgotten that were original. Now, of course, later on, we started wearing bits and pieces. And 00:16:57.059 --> 00:17:03.737 - I even had a Dai Shiki myself back in the late 70s. And I think most of us did. But these are the real 00:17:03.737 --> 00:17:06.590 - deal, folks. Thank you, Larry. Coming next? 00:17:08.642 --> 00:17:16.792 - Next, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Dr. James Mafer. Yes. Now this brother has an extensive 00:17:16.792 --> 00:17:24.942 - collection of African wear. He is well traveled and it is an honor with us to have him here with us 00:17:24.942 --> 00:17:31.870 - this evening. I wish I had the exact of what everything is, but he has his Kofi hat. 00:17:32.898 --> 00:17:41.776 - And this outfit may symbolize his affiliation with a certain religion over in the mother country. Doesn't 00:17:41.776 --> 00:17:50.236 - he look good? All right. All right. The next person, our very own Eric Love, or what we call E Love. 00:17:50.236 --> 00:17:58.863 - E, of course, works on campus. He's director of the diversity programs. And in addition to the dreaded 00:17:58.863 --> 00:18:02.046 - hair, he also has a very nice outfit. 00:18:02.562 --> 00:18:12.143 - printed on the front with a nice braided look, and he has his Kofi hat to match. And note the work at 00:18:12.143 --> 00:18:22.194 - the hem of the pants. Note the work there, folks. Is this man tight or what? All right. All right, another 00:18:22.194 --> 00:18:27.454 - privilege. This man has an outfit straight from Guyana. 00:18:28.770 --> 00:18:36.814 - This is Brother Patrick Smith. He's director of the Phase Mentoring Program. Again, pay attention to 00:18:36.814 --> 00:18:44.779 - the detail, the vivid colors. It's just not the black, the browns, the gray. We have a lot of earth 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:52.903 - tones, but we also have a lot of colors, straight from Guyana. Thank you, Brother Patrick. And one of 00:18:52.903 --> 00:18:58.558 - our military folks, he's a quick change artist. However, look at this. 00:18:59.010 --> 00:19:05.959 - He has a flowing top with a matching hat. It is simple color. Over in the motherland, that may symbolize, 00:19:05.959 --> 00:19:12.515 - again, religious affiliation. As you know, most of us were Islam over in those days, but there were 00:19:12.515 --> 00:19:19.333 - different versions, and it could signify your allegiances to tribal or religious or your social status. 00:19:19.333 --> 00:19:25.955 - If these were symbolizing social status, I would say that every one of these gentlemen up here would 00:19:25.955 --> 00:19:28.446 - be highly regarded in the motherland. 00:19:28.834 --> 00:19:40.604 - Can you give him another round of applause? Thank you, gentlemen. Now, if I can. Brother Kevin Jones 00:19:40.604 --> 00:19:52.374 - in the house. He is the other co-host, and this is when he's supposed to take over. So I'm trying to 00:19:52.374 --> 00:19:55.870 - buy a little time. All right. 00:19:58.210 --> 00:20:04.557 - If you know Brother Kevin Jones, he of course was the MC at the women and their crowns program last 00:20:04.557 --> 00:20:11.030 - year. He was the MC for our kickoff ceremonies this year. If you haven't heard this man speak, you're 00:20:11.030 --> 00:20:17.440 - in for a treat. He can speak, he can do things that no other man can do. I will let you allow him to 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:21.502 - entertain you for the next couple of minutes. Thank you, Kevin. 00:20:33.538 --> 00:20:41.850 - gentleman right here, the gentleman that we just experienced, Brother Sims, he didn't need any notes. 00:20:41.850 --> 00:20:50.570 - He could just look at the outfits and describe them in great detail. Some of us are not quite that astute. 00:20:50.570 --> 00:20:58.719 - So I brought my reference materials. Well, I believe it's time for me to enter into a little bit of 00:20:58.719 --> 00:21:03.038 - a discussion on the urban style, urban style and hip 00:21:03.202 --> 00:21:11.711 - hop flavor. Now back in the good old days when there was leisure suits, high-waisted pants, platforms. 00:21:11.711 --> 00:21:20.220 - All right, now come on now. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. There's somebody out 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:28.563 - there that knows what I'm talking about. And, you know, you would take your blue platforms with your 00:21:28.563 --> 00:21:32.446 - baby blue pant bell bottom, bigger the better, 00:21:33.954 --> 00:21:43.101 - and your silk shirt with your chains, and you would make sure your afro was just right. Now that was 00:21:43.101 --> 00:21:52.068 - urban style. So sometimes people want to say, well, this new stuff is so different and so unusual. 00:21:52.068 --> 00:22:01.306 - Come on, dig back in your memory. When you dig back in your memory, when you were 18, 20, 25, even 30 00:22:01.306 --> 00:22:02.302 - sometimes, 00:22:03.394 --> 00:22:15.517 - You wore the contemporary wear. So what we're going to see is a little bit of the contemporary. 00:22:15.517 --> 00:22:28.146 - Young men, come forward. Show us what you got. Now, as you see, there's a flair. It starts with the 00:22:28.146 --> 00:22:31.934 - hair. Two styles. Two styles. 00:22:32.322 --> 00:22:41.880 - and the headband which sets it off. Now look at those shoes. You've got to see the shoes. Multi-colored, 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:51.346 - black, green, and yellow. And you see it picks up with the wristbands. The wristbands set out the whole 00:22:51.346 --> 00:23:01.086 - outfit. You know, comfort is supreme when we talk about young folks. You know, a tie is okay, but you see, 00:23:01.282 --> 00:23:09.518 - a nice shirt is even better. And when you look at these young men, you know, some of the things that 00:23:09.518 --> 00:23:17.999 - are said about young black men, it's just wrong. Look at these fellows. These are hard working fellows. 00:23:17.999 --> 00:23:26.399 - These are studying fellows. These are fellows that watch your young ladies. I mean that in a good way. 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:30.558 - Hey, we're just glad to have them here and glad to 00:23:30.754 --> 00:23:40.738 - have them a part of this presentation for us today. Let's give them a hand. Now I think they have something 00:23:40.738 --> 00:23:48.318 - else for us too. They're going to let you hear a little bit of that urban flavor. 00:24:02.466 --> 00:24:25.104 - I guess that's up to me. I will now rap for you. Here we go. Here we go. Let it go. Make the move. Hey, 00:24:25.104 --> 00:24:29.022 - hey. There it is. 00:27:02.690 --> 00:27:14.558 - The cousins in motion. Come on back out, brothers, come on back out. Let them see you one more time. 00:27:14.558 --> 00:27:26.778 - Come on back, brothers. The cousins in motion. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Yes, yes, yes. 00:27:26.778 --> 00:27:29.598 - Did you enjoy yourself? 00:27:30.146 --> 00:27:39.463 - Did it make you want to get up with them and do it too? Yes, yes. Well, now we all pumped up. And, 00:27:39.463 --> 00:27:48.874 - you know, some of us used to be, and some of us never were. So since I'm talking about myself, it's 00:27:48.874 --> 00:27:59.038 - time to transition. Well, now what we're going to go from is the urban style influence, the hip hop flavor, 00:27:59.330 --> 00:28:09.874 - to now the men making the clothes. And let me take you back a little bit. I just happened to walk upstairs 00:28:09.874 --> 00:28:20.122 - in our library and there was a book, A History of Black Photographers, 1840 to the Present, Reflections 00:28:20.122 --> 00:28:28.990 - in Black by Deborah Wills. Now, what I found in looking in this book were styles, styles. 00:28:29.794 --> 00:28:39.917 - Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois. You see, when people took pictures back in the day, they dressed 00:28:39.917 --> 00:28:50.535 - to impress. Some of you may even remember back in our black history, when we would go to downtown. Anybody 00:28:50.535 --> 00:28:59.070 - remember that? When we would go to the downtown, we would do what? We would dress up. 00:29:00.290 --> 00:29:10.752 - we would put our best clothes on. When we went to church, what did we wear? Our best dress. Now, did 00:29:10.752 --> 00:29:21.733 - it matter whether you were a domestic? Did it matter whether you were a bus driver? Did it matter whether 00:29:21.733 --> 00:29:29.502 - you were a factory worker? The answer was no, because when it came time to 00:29:29.634 --> 00:29:41.224 - dress the black man dressed to the top. My grandfather was a crane operator. Crane operator. But you 00:29:41.224 --> 00:29:53.274 - know what? Whenever he stepped out on Sunday morning, he had a suit and a tie. You see, he was exemplary 00:29:53.274 --> 00:29:58.782 - of many men of his era who said, you know what? 00:29:59.042 --> 00:30:10.258 - I'm working for the future. You see, I may not be where I want to be right now, but I'm looking forward 00:30:10.258 --> 00:30:21.366 - to what's coming. And so I'm going to set the stage for what's to be. And you know what? He was right. 00:30:21.366 --> 00:30:26.974 - While he went to work in overalls, came home dirty, 00:30:29.538 --> 00:30:42.693 - I go to work like this. My hands don't get dirty. My fingers don't get dirty. I go to work like this. 00:30:42.693 --> 00:30:55.590 - He can only go to work when he was prepared to go to work, but not in dress clothes. His legacy and 00:30:55.590 --> 00:30:58.814 - the legacy of many other 00:30:59.170 --> 00:31:10.053 - black men enable us today to go to work, not just in the uniform, not just in overalls. Nothing wrong 00:31:10.053 --> 00:31:20.935 - with that either, by the way, but something that did not exist in the 1950s outside of church. We can 00:31:20.935 --> 00:31:27.870 - go in the boardroom today and dress in a suit and tie. We can go 00:31:28.002 --> 00:31:38.757 - anyplace five days a week and dress any way we like. You see folks, that's what we call progress. We're 00:31:38.757 --> 00:31:49.202 - not there yet, but we on our way. So now I just wanted to say that to you because that's the preface 00:31:49.202 --> 00:31:56.958 - for the men make the clothes. You're now going to see gentlemen dressed up 00:31:57.538 --> 00:32:08.165 - in that apparel that they can wear to church, to work, and sometimes to the places that they want to 00:32:08.165 --> 00:32:18.686 - go. So let me get my notes out here. As you see, my notes are in a variety of disarray here. Let me 00:32:18.686 --> 00:32:24.894 - first start with a man and his son continuing that legacy. 00:32:26.146 --> 00:32:46.538 - Here are the Vances. What you see is what you get. Look at first, Brother Bill, the man setting the 00:32:46.538 --> 00:32:55.102 - example. You see, that's a great example. 00:32:56.002 --> 00:33:08.136 - He has this blue shirt with a nice, beautiful suit. You see, now look how the red and white specs pick 00:33:08.136 --> 00:33:19.916 - up and coordinate with that outfit. He's got the pleated pants that you gotta take a look at. Black 00:33:19.916 --> 00:33:24.510 - leather shoes. But now check this out. 00:33:25.602 --> 00:33:37.923 - No tie, because the man does what he wants to do. He can go without a tie and still know he's the man. 00:33:37.923 --> 00:33:50.124 - That's brother Bill Vance. Now when you set a good example in your home, you get positive fruit. Look 00:33:50.124 --> 00:33:54.430 - at this young man with this purple, 00:33:54.626 --> 00:34:06.291 - long coat suit. I want you to take a look at those buttons. Look at those wonderful buttons on the side 00:34:06.291 --> 00:34:18.293 - of his coat. You see, that has a certain flair to it. Now, you see, he also, like his dad, has the pleated 00:34:18.293 --> 00:34:24.574 - pants and the black leather shoes following the legacy. 00:34:25.698 --> 00:34:35.049 - So if you take a look at these two people, a father and a son, you know that we're gonna be all right 00:34:35.049 --> 00:34:44.676 - today and in the future because they look good everywhere they go. One note before I close. Grandparents 00:34:44.676 --> 00:34:54.302 - purchased this suit because they wanted to make sure that their grandson follows the legacy, the Vances. 00:35:04.130 --> 00:35:16.527 - some other folks, very good folks. Michael Edwards, step to the stage. Watch as Brother Edwards comes 00:35:16.527 --> 00:35:26.494 - down the aisle way. And right away, you're going to see something that grabs you. 00:35:38.338 --> 00:35:51.224 - Now you see, this is a businessman suit with a flare. Now look at that tie right there. That sets off 00:35:51.224 --> 00:36:04.110 - the light blue shirt. Yes. Now, this is something that I was talking about earlier. We can do what we 00:36:04.110 --> 00:36:07.774 - want to do now. And you see, 00:36:08.098 --> 00:36:16.854 - He has a hat and a kente cloth, and you know what? He's still ready for business. Look at this man. 00:36:16.854 --> 00:36:25.785 - He's ready to do any kind of business, any kind of education, anything that you can imagine. This man 00:36:25.785 --> 00:36:34.366 - is ready for it. Thank you, Brother Edwards, for showing us some style. Brother Lorenzo Dilworth. 00:36:44.066 --> 00:37:00.816 - he comes down, put a picture in your mind of a very serious thinking brother. Now, you see, we're going 00:37:00.816 --> 00:37:12.574 - to start from the bottom up with this gentleman. Those shoes, the shoes. 00:37:12.962 --> 00:37:23.787 - It must be the shoes. Stacy Adams. Stacy Adams. Now, he's got a nice shirt and tie combination that 00:37:23.787 --> 00:37:34.613 - works with that Zandello tailored suit. You see, Brother Dilworth has the look right now to do some 00:37:34.613 --> 00:37:40.350 - damage. Now, I don't know Brother Dilworth's status, 00:37:42.146 --> 00:37:55.092 - But I'll just say, Brother Dilworth, if you got somebody, don't step too far. And it looks like he has 00:37:55.092 --> 00:38:05.022 - somebody. You got the right man. That's Brother Dilworth. Brother Larry Brown. 00:38:14.786 --> 00:38:26.715 - Yes, Brother Brown. Now, you see, that is full of statement right there. Look at that shirt, all right? 00:38:26.715 --> 00:38:38.186 - That formal shirt with the dark suit. Now, here's something that we know, all right? There are many 00:38:38.186 --> 00:38:43.806 - shades among African American people, all right? 00:38:44.770 --> 00:38:54.780 - One of the nice things about being a black man is you can wear black and look very good. Now, 00:38:54.780 --> 00:39:05.856 - these shoes, again, make a statement. Look at this. Those shoes say something to you. But you see, it's 00:39:05.856 --> 00:39:13.310 - set off with, of course, the hat, the sash, but okay, you all saw it. 00:39:13.442 --> 00:39:24.604 - When he first walked in, what did you see? That's right. And you see, you have to be a self-assured, 00:39:24.604 --> 00:39:35.877 - confident man of the hour to step out in a bow tie. And Brother Larry Brown does that for us. Brother 00:39:35.877 --> 00:39:41.182 - Larry Brown. Brother Thomas Doyle, step on out. 00:39:51.202 --> 00:40:05.908 - Now you see, someone said his nickname is popcorn. And you see, he's popping it for you. Yes, sir. Now 00:40:05.908 --> 00:40:19.614 - you see, when you're smooth, you're smooth in every way. You see, the single color says smooth. 00:40:21.090 --> 00:40:34.189 - It says, you know, I'm not just any old man. I'm one of the best. You see, he breaks out the African 00:40:34.189 --> 00:40:47.289 - colors, the kente cloth colors, with the bow tie, with the hat, and then it says, explosion, popping 00:40:47.289 --> 00:40:50.142 - out for you. It says, 00:40:50.530 --> 00:41:05.122 - You want to know me, don't you? But if you don't know me, I'll let you see if it's time. This is Brother 00:41:05.122 --> 00:41:17.630 - Popcorn Doyle, a man of many talents, styling for us. Brother I, James Tory, step on out. 00:41:24.546 --> 00:41:34.544 - You see, this man is an intellectual. He's ready for the classroom. He's also a businessman, ready for 00:41:34.544 --> 00:41:44.737 - the boardroom or an evening out in this casual but stylish collection. Now you check James pleated front 00:41:44.737 --> 00:41:50.270 - black slacks paired with a black cotton mock turtleneck. 00:41:56.162 --> 00:42:08.724 - Now, you see, James tops it off, tops this off with chocolate brown microsuede. You see, you gotta check 00:42:08.724 --> 00:42:21.046 - this, folks. It's fully lined. The single-breasted sports coat. You see, the slacks and the turtleneck 00:42:21.046 --> 00:42:23.678 - are by Liz Claiborne. 00:42:25.666 --> 00:42:36.545 - and his sport coat is by Ciani Cellini. Now you see, we saved this gentleman for the fashion show side 00:42:36.545 --> 00:42:46.156 - of our program. You see, he can step out in New York, he can step out in D.C., he can step 00:42:46.156 --> 00:42:55.134 - out in Bloomington, and his presence will be noted. This is brother I. James Torrey. 00:43:03.682 --> 00:43:17.498 - We have some other gentlemen. Come on out. Step out and we're gonna check you out. Oh, it looks like 00:43:17.498 --> 00:43:31.450 - it's the Sims. The Sims. How about it? You know, this speaks for itself. Look at that style. You see, 00:43:31.450 --> 00:43:33.502 - hey, hey, hey. 00:43:33.634 --> 00:43:44.390 - Who's that out there? Calling him out because he does look good. Now, see, brother, are you attached 00:43:44.390 --> 00:43:56.105 - or are you with someone? Oh, no, I'm with my family. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, take notes. He's unattached. 00:43:56.105 --> 00:44:03.134 - But remember, tell your young girls, your ladies, please, please, 00:44:03.362 --> 00:44:14.515 - Don't touch. Just look and appreciate what is there. Wonderful businessman, wonderful style, 00:44:14.515 --> 00:44:26.866 - educated man. Looks good, does he not? But you see, it has to come. It has to come from somewhere. OK? 00:44:26.866 --> 00:44:33.342 - You know, you don't just fall off the tree. You come. 00:44:33.506 --> 00:44:42.420 - from a root and you grow up into something special. So look at this man right here, our emcee, 00:44:42.420 --> 00:44:51.991 - Brother Jim. Now, okay, what can you say about this? Well, look at it. First, it matches his sense of 00:44:51.991 --> 00:45:01.374 - style. You see, when you first meet him, you don't know that he's a man with a good sense of humor. 00:45:04.546 --> 00:45:13.032 - When you first meet him, all right, comments from the Pima Gallery now. When you first meet him, 00:45:13.032 --> 00:45:22.568 - you say, wow, this is just one super serious brother. But you know what? This style says he can go anywhere, 00:45:22.568 --> 00:45:31.492 - anytime, and be comfortable, and make you comfortable. You see, he has made his son comfortable. He's 00:45:31.492 --> 00:45:33.854 - very comfortable with you. 00:45:34.594 --> 00:45:44.659 - And look at that man right there. He is comfortable with all of us here. He was behind this program. 00:45:44.659 --> 00:45:55.022 - You see, style is not just what you wear. Style is how you carry yourself. Style is what you say. Style 00:45:55.022 --> 00:46:04.190 - is what you do. Style is what you accomplish. This man right here and his son have done it. 00:46:04.418 --> 00:46:12.318 - for us. So I would like each of these gentlemen to come on out one more time and show everybody what you have. 00:47:35.522 --> 00:47:45.496 - That concludes our program for today, but we have a reception. We'd like to see everybody in the reception. 00:47:45.496 --> 00:47:50.206 - Down the hall, 1B. Thank you for coming out today.