Gravitas

Celebrating leadership

By Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford

The Editors
editors@insightnews.com

William English, a pioneer in corpo-

rate and professional leadership, a
champion of community and culture,
an educator, and an advocate for civic
engagement was feted by the commu-
nity in the inaugural Celebrating
Community Leadership banquet and
program, June 14 at the Radisson
Plaza Hotel in Downtown
Minneapolis. Some 300 well-wishers,
friends, colleagues, family members
and beneficiaries of Bill English’s
brand of civic engagement gathered in
tribute to one of the deans of
Minnesota’s Black community.

“It must be said, Bill is a reluctant

honoree,” said McFarlane Media pres-
ident Al McFarlane, as he called the
evening celebration to order. “He is
not given to tooting his own horn or
reveling in his own accomplishments.
He is content in his own knowledge of
the critical roles he has played, again
and again, in the advancement of our
community and of our people, both
here in Twin Cities and on the nation-
al stage.”

“For him, it’s just work. It is what a

person is supposed to do. It is why we
are here. He’ll tell you that the work
neither requires nor seeks adulation,
or even affirmation. That is because
this is a work born in the Spirit of
Truth, emboldened by the ever-present
and guiding hand of the Ancestors,

Photos: Studiotobechi

“Bill English is the embodiment of moral excellence made most

meaningful by its selfless investment in the civic good.”
 (L to R) Bill English, Dr. Josie Johnson, Al McFarlane, Dr. Irma McClaurin, Bennie Brown, Obie Kipper, and Pat Anderson
enabled, compelled by whatever situa-
tion is at hand, but, finally, commanded
by the sense of duty to our children and
to the future,” McFarlane said.
“And it is precisely for all these reasons,
and especially our obligation to children
and the future, that the African
American Community today launches
this annual recognition and celebration
of leadership par excellence,”
McFarlane said.
“Bill English is the embodiment of
moral excellence made most meaningful
by its selfless investment in the civic
good. He exemplifies the principle and
power of direct action and community
organization as energizing agents for
social change and personal and commu-
nity development,” he said.
“Our mission today is to take stock of
our community, our world, through the
lens of one life well-lived,” said
McFarlane. “Our duty is to reflect on the
significant accomplishments of our peo-
ple, our culture, by examining, celebrat-
(L-R) Carl Jones, Craig Taylor, Theresa Taylor, Bill English, Amber English and
Marcus Coleman
ing, the testimony of William English.”
Almost to a person, attendees noted the
special spirit of unity and pride engen-
dered by the joyful observance.
Minneapolis businessman James Baker,
owner of Sunnyside Café & Deli and
Elite Catering called the event one of the
most pleasurable and enjoyable he had
attended in quite some time. “The pro-
gram was just right. The comments by
family and friends were on target. It was
good to be around a lot of people who
share the same love for community, for
children, and for the spirit of accom-
plishment,” he said.
The Rev. Randolph Staten echoed the
sentiment. “We have to do more of this.
We have to name and celebrate our lead-
ers and heroes. This celebration, thanks
to the hard work of Freddie English and
other members of Bill’s family, and
thanks to the supportive role legacy
leadership organizations played, exem-
plified what we must do for and with
each other, and how we must collaborate
and document the success of our collab-
orations.”
Introduced by the English’s youngest
daughter, Amber, a recent journalism
graduate of Howard University, Master
of Ceremonies T. Mychael Rambo
launched the evening’s program with a
particularly suiting spiritual note. He
chanted the field song that was a hall-
mark of the civil rights protest move-
ment, “Ain’t gon’ let nobody turn me
around!” That poignant chant set the
stage for stirring, affirming testimonies
by Dr. Josie Johnson, a retired
University of Minnesota Vice-President
and a former University Regent, by Dr.
Robert Jones, University of Minnesota
Senior Vice President for System
Academic Administration, and by Dr.
Horace Huntley, now of University of
Alabama, who as a student lead the
takeover of Morrill Hall by Black stu-
dents protesting the University of
Minnesota’s failure to deal equitably
with Black students or the Black com-
munity.
Staten, the Rev. Ian Bethel, the Rev.
(L-R) Dr. John Wright, Marcus Coleman, Dr Henry Hardy and Bill English
Henry O. Hardy, and the Rev. Jerry
McAfee described in their unique ways,
the quality and character of clarity,
courage, commitment, and direct action
as hallmarks of English’s effectiveness
as a leader and educator.
Bill Fitzgerald, who was English’s
supervisor at Ceridian Corp. talked
about English’s compassion and perse-
verance. Joshua Moore, English’s
grandson, said those same qualities are
guiding his own emergence into adult-
hood and fatherhood.
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison said it was
English’s family that embraced his when
he first arrived in Minnesota in the
1980s. He said he cherished the dedica-
tion, vision and purposefulness that have
resulted in great service and great lead-
ership.
Poet Rose McGee delivered an original
piece that honored English for substance
and style.