Up from Harlem: A Pictorial Autobiography

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

INTRODUCTION

IRENE BAISE-JOHNSON

MY PARENTS

STORIES FROM MY FATHER

NINA KEEN JOHNSON-BROWN

THE EARLY YEARS

PUBLIC SCHOOL 102

JEFFERSON PARK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

AN INSPIRING THANK YOU LETTER

SCHOOLS

ESTELLE FREEMAN WOODS-BROWN (BUNNY) AND NINA DESIRE BROWN

EASTER 1971

BRITANNICA SOCIETY MEMBER OF THE BRITANNIA SOCIETY SINCE 1971

THE JOURNAL ENTRIES

THE SIXTIES

THE POLICE YEARS

A BRIEF WORK HISTORY

MY FIRST PUBLISHED ARTICLE

BASIC TRAINING SQUADRON

3362ND SCHOOL SQUADRON

MILITARY GRADUATION PICTURE 1977

THE MILITARY YEARS

STUDENT LEADERSHIP TRAINING

A TOUCHING LETTER

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

3362ND LETTER OF APPRECIATION

LETTER OF APPRECIATION

DIPLOMA BASIC ELECTRICITY

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

THE EUROPEAN TOUR

OUR WEDDING PARTY

NETWORK DESIGN LEARNING CENTER BASIC ELECTRONICS DIPLOMA

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING OJT TRAINER /SUPERVISOR ORIENTATION

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY

LETTER OF APPRECIATION BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER LEADERSHIP

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING MAINTENANCE DATA COLLECTION

THANK YOU LETTER, FROM ABC

ACKNOWLEDGMENT LETTER FROM ABC TO AT&T

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT COMPUTER AWARENESS

UNUSUAL PLACES

PICTURE FROM FIRST LADY NANCY REGAN

LETTER OF APPRECATION BOLD EAGLE

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION BOLD EAGLE

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING OJT FAMILIARIZATION

AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

VALLEY OF THE FALLEN (EL VALLE DE LOS CAÍDOS) SPAIN

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING ALL WEATHER LANDING SYSTEM

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING ALL WEATHER LANDING SYSTEMS

SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR LETTER

FAMILY PICNIC 1987 MARCUS GARVY PARK

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION SYSTEM 75

TECHNICAL SERGEANT PERFORMANCE REPORT 1

TECHNICAL SERGEANT PERFORMANCE REPORT 2

NORTHERN MANHATTAN FSO HALL OF FAME

TORREJON SPAIN 1988

HONORABLE DISCHARGE 1988

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION DEFINITY GENERIC II

DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER INTERPOLATION INTEGRATED SYSTEM DIGITAL NETWORKS

PERSONAL FINANICIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

TELEPHONE PIONEERS OF AMERICA 25 YEAR MEMBERSHIP

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

AIR NATIONAL GUARD NCO ACADEMY CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

EFFECTIVE WRITING COURSE CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

SEA NCO LEADERSHIP CONGRATULATIONS LETTER

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

MCGUIRE OPEN HOUSE LETTER OF APPRECIATION

OPERATION DESERT SHIELD / STORM CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

DESERT SHIELD /STORM LETTER

DESERT SHIELD / STORM LETTER OF APPRECIATION

AFRES NCO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TRAINING

NCO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CLASS

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

ROLAND A. BROWN 1990 MILITARY PICTURE

INTERNATIONAL SHOOTER DEVELOPMENT FUND CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

BASIC INCOME TAX PREPARATION CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND LETTER OF APPRECIATION

AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL

REGGIE’S RAIDERS QUALITY SPECIALIST

QUALITY SPECIALIST TRAINING CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

QUALITY TRAINING COURSE CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

THE DARK SIDE

CERTIFICATE OF INDUCTION IN SENIOR NCO CORPS

SEA ADVISOR LETTER ON PROMOTION TO MASTER SERGEANT

NETWORK OPERATIONS AND TRAINING QUALITY CUSTOMER CONTACTS

1993 GERMANY LETTER OF APPRECIATION

1993 DESERT STAR LETTER OF APPRECIATION

1994 HONORABLE DISCHARGE

ANN AND I AT 2002 MILITARY BALL

AIR FORCE QUALITY CENTER SELF ASSESSMENT COURSE

AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY AIR FORCE COMMENDATION FIRST OAK LEAF

CLASSROOM TEACHING TECHNIQUES

EVENTS OF THE EMERGENCY CARE OF SMSGT HUTCHISON

LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM SMS LANE BADER

AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL SECOND OAK LEAF CLUSTER

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY AIR FORCE COMMENDATION SECOND OAK LEAF

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE

AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH 25 YEAR CERTIFICATE

ACHIEVING EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMER RELATIONS TRAINING

AT&T TWENTY-FIVE YEAR CONGRATULATORY LETTER

POSITIONS HELD DURING 1995 ALLIANCE NEW YORK CONVENTION

AFRES FIRST SERGEANTS ACADEMY CLASS 96A

AFRES FIRST SERGEANTS ACADEMY CLASS 96A

PRESENTATION OF FIRST SERGEANTS DIPLOMA

MEMBERSHIP INTO FIRST SERGEANTS DIAMOND CLUB

FIRST SERGEANTS CREED

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING USAFR FIRST SERGEANTS ACADEMY

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC

NRA LEGION OF HONOR

THE ALLIANCE OF BLACK TELECOMMUNICATIONS EMPLOYEES INC CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

LEADERSHIP AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

NEW YORK BLOOD CENTER APHERESIS DONOR CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

MONROE COLLEGE ASSOCIATES IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

BEST IN CLASS AT&T GLOBAL SERVICES

78TH ARS LETTER OF APPRECIATION

THE BROWN SIBILINGS

ALLIANCE OF BLACK TELECOMMUNICATIONS EMPLOYEES INC.

AT&T SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

SCHEDULING AND COST CONTROL

514™ FAMILY CARE PROCESS ACTION TEAM

FIRST SERGEANTS COUNCIL CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

FIRST SERGEANTS COUNCIL LETTER OF APPRECIATION

AT&T SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

PROJECT LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

PROJECT MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

51⁴TH MISSION SUPPORT SQUADRON

CITY OF MOUNT VERNON COMMENDATION

NORSTAR MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT

FAMILY READINESS LIAISON TECHNICIAN TRAINING

FAMILY READINESS/MATTERS WORKSHOP

MONROE COLLEGE

HONORABLE DISCHARGE

JOINT SERVICES FAMILY PROGRAM WORKSHOP

FAMILY READINESS BRINGS YOU A STEP CLOSER

AIR FORCE TRAINING COURSE

FAMILY READINESS WORKSHOP

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE AIR FORCE

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE AIR FORCE

RECOMMENDATION FOR DECORATION

AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL FIRST OAK LEAF

A SMALL TOKEN

RETIREMENT CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

WHAT MATTERS MOST CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

WHAT MATTERS MOST

SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

AFRICA AMERICAN CULTURAL AWARENESS ASSOCIATION

FASHION EXPLOSION 2002 LETTER OF APPRECIATION

FASHION EXPLOSION 2002 LETTER OF APPRECIATION 2

FAMILY READINESS TECHNICIAN LIAISONS CLASS 2002

THANK YOU LETTER CLASS 2002

HANNIBAL COX, JR., CHAPTER, TUSKEGEE AIRMEN,

ORANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER DAY

ALLIANCE DIAMOND AWARD FOR MENTORING

FAMILY READINESS QUALIFICATION COURSE

FAMILY READINESS COURSE MAXWELL AFB MAY 24 2002

LETTER OF COMMENDATION MCGUIRE AFB 2002 BLACK HISTORY MONTH

BURLINGTON COUNTY NEWS ARTICLE

DANGEROUS

ATWIND ANGEL CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

RECOGNITION EMPLOYER APPRECIATION DAY

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE STATE OF NEW YORK

LETTER ACCOMPANY CONSPICUOUS SERVICE STATE OF NEW YORK

LETTER OF APPRECIATION EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY 1

EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY CERTIFICATION OF APPRECIATION 2

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN INC. CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP

COMPASSION FATIGUE PANEL DISCUSSION CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING

FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM

SUPERVISOR SAFETY TRAINING COURSE VIII

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TEAM MCGUIRE

RECORDS MANAGEMENT REFRESHER COURSE

LA SALLE UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION

AT&T KANSAS CITY

AIR FORCE RESERVE VOLUNTEER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT TO AFRC VOLUNTEER ADVISORY COUNCIL

AFRC FAMILY SUPPORT DIRECTOR & LIAISON WORKSHOP

BURLINGTON COUNTY FARM FAIR LETTER OF APPRECIATION

FAMILY SUPPORT RETREAT

FAMILY SUPPORT STAFF

MISSION SUPPORT COMMANDER THANK YOU

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR FIRST SERGEANT POSITION

CRITICAL STRESS MANAGEMENT ADVANCED

FAMILY READINESS CONFERENCE SAN ANTONIO TEXAS

FAMILY READINESS CONFERENCE SAN ANTONIO TEXAS 2

BEACON NEWS ARTICLE

A WEEK IN A LIFE

GERMANY 2003

LETTER OF GRADITUTE 2004

AWARDS RECIEVED

AFRC FAMILY READINESS OF THE YEAR INDIVIDUAL AWARD

AFRC OUTSTANDING FAMILY SUPPORT/ INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR

AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL SECOND OAK LEAF CLUSTER

926TH FIGHTER WING LETTER OF APPRECIATION

AFRC FAMILY SUPPORT DIRECTORS AND LIAISON WORKSHOP PICTURE

AFRC FAMILY SUPPORT DIRECTORS AND LIAISON WORKSHOP

COLONEL JAMES STEWART HAPPY BIRTHDAY LETTER

FLORIDA FAMILY SUPPORT CONFERENCE

NON-PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

GLOUCESTER FREEHOLDERS LETTER OF COMMENDATION

STATE OF NEW JERSEY SENATE AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY CITATION

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION 2006

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION 2006 2

RECRUIT OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM

CORRECTION OFFICER RO BROWN # 17389

A NEW CAREER

AFRC 514 AMW RETIREMENT PLAQUE

COMMUNITY PROTESTANT CHURCH

WHAT IS IN A NAME?

REVELATIONS / LEADERSHIP

ANN’S AIR FORCE CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

RETIREMENT AIR FORCE CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ POLICE DEPARTMENT

LETTER FROM FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH SR.

LETTER FROM NEW JERSEY HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN SAXTON

LETTER FROM FORMER PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON

PHOTOGRAPH THAT ACCOMPANIED RETIREMENT LETTER

RETIREMENT LETTER FROM FORME0R PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER

ANN AND I AT THE 51⁴TH MAW 2008 MILITARY BALL

LITERATURE THAT HAS INFLUENCED ME

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ENDNOTES

DEDICATION

To Ann

This book is one of the reasons why I spent so much time in my office

To my children

Nina, Denise, Tamika, Monroe, Rolanda and Roland

I dedicate this book to you, and your future generations, to explain who your

father was. Moreover, when you, start your own family history.

To my grandchildren

Keyana, Keenan, Kenyan, Brian, Aja, Jada, Matthew, Savannah, Monroe,

Kaliel, Simone, Ziaire, Gabriella, Deon and Bryan

This book is dedicated to all the people in my life who have helped me to

make a difference in other peoples’ lives

This book has names of, people, places, and faces who have influenced me

throughout my life and I Thank You.

I would also like the thank the people of the following organizations

AT&T, Liz Claiborne, Prudential Securities, IBM, US Air Force Reserves,

Tuskegee Airmen Inc., The Alliance of Black Telecommunications

Employees Inc. And The NYC Department of Corrections. And finally

In addition, the other people in my life whom I have failed to mention.

Finally to the people at GMDC Dorm 13.

INTRODUCTION

I believe you can achieve almost anything you desire. The only limitation is your mind. In addition, your greatest asset is your Intellectual property, in which I believe one should share.

For immortality is only achieved, when one decides to, pass on their knowledge.

By three methods, we may learn wisdom:

First, by reflection, this is noblest,

Second, by imitation, this is easiest,

And third, by experience, which is the bitterest-Confucius

As I spoke to one of my daughters Denise about this book, she indicated that she was unaware of some aspects of my life; however, she wanted to know what made me become the person I am today? I will try to answer this question, through this book with stories associated with my life.

Our lives however are filled with Significant Emotional Events (SEE’s). These events can happen at anytime and anywhere, they can be subtle to traumatic. A Significant Emotional Event is an experience, (or experiences), that creates an emotional meaning-a belief if you like-which shapes and affects us later in life. These events define, who we are or what we are to become. These emotional meanings, could be positive, (enjoying a School nativity play as a kid; enjoying public speaking as an adult, attending a wedding?) or it could be negative (hating a school nativity play as a kid; hating public speaking as an adult, attending a funeral).. I will attempt to answer this question: by relating some significant emotional events that shaped and guided me into the person that I am today. Growing up with my family in Harlem and Spanish Harlem, my exploits as a teenager and young man, my first marriage and divorce, and subsequent, second marriage. Meetings and talks with famous and not so famous personalities both living and deceased. My intensive travels through Europe over a thirty-year period. Visiting countries like Germany, Spain, Africa, France, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Italy, Turkey and many other counties; and experiences, that, I would like to share with you. I was a late starter in accomplishing many things in my life. Nevertheless, I believe that everyone achieves something in his or her, own time.

There is an appointed time for everything.

And there is a time for every event under heaven.

A time to give birth, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to up root what is planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to buildup.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.

A time to search, and a time to give up as lost;

A time to keep, and a time to throw away.

A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together;

A time to be silent, and a time to speak.

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time for war, and a time for peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Therefore, I hope you do not mind me, sharing some of my accomplishments and experiences with you.

When I was a child,

I spoke like a child,

Thought like a child,

And reasoned like a child,

When I became an adult;

I no longer used childish ways.

(1st Corinthians 13:11)

IRENE BAISE-JOHNSON

My Maternal Grandmother June 1956

MY PARENTS

Charles James Brown and Nina Keen Johnson-Brown

STORIES FROM MY FATHER

My father told us many stories when we were growing up. Some of the more prominent stories that I remember, I will share to you.

In these stories told to me by my father, there were themes to sometimes, accommodate some of these stories he told me. My father was born on March 6, 1923 in Montell, Florida His mother Marie, was a laundress and seamstress. He resided with his family at 928 ½ 6th Avenue Hillsborough, Florida. He was the youngest of six siblings. They were five boys, Abraham (the boxer), David, (the chef), Butch, Charles, and one brother whose name was not known to me, and one sister by the name of, Marie. Since my father Charles was the youngest, he had to leave school to take care of his mother. My understanding is that he left school when he was in the third grade. (Therefore, providing the catalyst for his overwhelming desired, for us to obtain our education). He started driving a tractor-trailer at an early age, about twelve years old. I was told that licenses’ were not required or issued during those early years. He worked in the dry cleaning industry, where he indicated it was too hot and the fumes were too noxious. He did indicate that he went to school to become a cook. Charles was a meticulous dresser. He would relay to us how when he was young, his mother would dye his socks, shirts, hatbands and handkerchiefs so these items would match when he wore then together. Therefore, when he stepped out he was sharp in his appearance. This was reflected in the pictures in this book of Charles.

He volunteered in the Army Air Forces on fourth of February 1943 with a Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) of a Clerk Typist or Duty NCO. My father entered the service under a buddy system, where he enlisted with a few of his friends. He was harassed, by a number of NCO’s (non commissioned officers) when