Jimmy Brown (A Tribute) Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Jimmy Brown.
Young, Black and gifted.
So hip and thought to be,
Ahead of his time in the '70's!
Decided he would run to become,
The first Black President...
Of Hartford, Connecticut's,
Board of Education.
And he did and won.

'I'm going to create,
A learning corridor.
To have students explore,
Their own interests.
With a supporting,
Of their adventures.'
This to me, Jimmy had said.

A young and unsung hero.
With no aim for fame to claim.
Just a brilliant man.
With a mind ahead of his time.
And today...
Even those Black,
With their B.A.'s...
M.A.'s and Doctorate degrees,
Teaching today...
In the Hartford school system,
Have no clue of the legacy...
Jimmy Brown has left to leave.

'Excuse me, but do you...'

-Just a second.
Hartford Board of Education.
How may I direct your call? -

'Sorry to disturb you.
Are you familiar with the name,
Jimmy Brown? '

-Hmmm...
Jimmy. Jimmy?
Brown. Brown. Brown?
No. A new employee?
I've been a receptionist here,
For quite some time.
And I haven't heard that name,
Found to cross my mind.-

'I should be shocked,
By your confession.
But, I'm not surprised at all.'

-If he's among,
Our support staff...
He would not be kept,
On this list I have.
That information you can get,
By directly visiting.
Or calling each school,
Within the Hartford district.-

'That's fine.
You've given me,
All I need to know.'