For the Sake of Aaron
Celebrating Our Black Men |
"Men for All Seasons" by Charles Bibbs
|
Charles (Butch) Walton
by Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo
Many of us speak of Milwaukee’s past with frozen images of youthful exuberance. Good neighbors, the village of adults who ministered to needs regardless of parentage, are the joys of a sweeter Milwaukee.
Yet problems, murders of passion and robberies and assaults did happen in our city, while admittedly far and few, they still existed.
Ask Jeannetta Robinson or Charles "Butch" Walton of Career Youth Development (CYD) and they will speak of shock, prayerful composure and finally healing that they transferred to committed service for youngsters, adults and children who could otherwise be forgotten.
In his words, "Butch" shares: "Once upon a time, I shared my life with my grandmother, mother, sister, Cheryl Regina Robinson and my precious niece, Jeannetta Nicole Robinson, aka, Netta. Life was wonderful. My little niece was the most precious girl in the world and my sister was a wonderful sister.
"Sometimes, we had disagreements as sisters and brothers sometimes do. I can remember, as if it was just yesterday, being called Unk (short for uncle) by Lil’ Netta; and my sister, Cheryl, would most of the time just call me ‘Brother.’
"As we go through life, we never know what the future will hold! We were a happy, healthy family that spent time praising God, going to school, to work, or volunteering in our community. Most of all, we simply enjoyed each other as family.
"Words do not express the feeling you experience when a loved one, who only moments ago were very much alive, smiling and going about their normal, innocent lives and then suddenly they are taken from you. You experience feelings that no one can imagine unless they have actually (heaven forbid) experienced the same loss, in the same manner. And add to that, the loss of not just one, but two family members, simultaneously."
"It is something that changes your life forever. I am thankful to my mother, Jeannetta and my forever-loving grandmother, Claretta (Mother Freedom) Simpson for teaching me about the love of God.
"It was only with the love of God and family that I have survived and have been able to face life, each day, without dwelling on the loss, or being angry or hopeless. We were inspired to cherish the memories of Cheryl and Netta through positive ways that help other youth and families, every year.
"We have the Cheryl Robinson and Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson Scholarship that provides funds to young people to help with their college educations. We have the CYD Cheryl and Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson School of Excellence that is a MPS Alternative High School. Through love and action, these youngsters who had been expelled earn their diploma and are helped to enroll in colleges, a total recapture of brilliant youth who, through dedication, see success and earn it.
"‘The Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson Toys for the Children that Santa Forgot But God Remembered,’ provides gifts for thousands of youths, each year.
"Toys, books, hats, coats and other gifts are given at Christmas. Through my mother’s love, I have learned to celebrate the lives of our loved ones, whose memories live on in the shining light of hope, love, giving and inspiration.
"My sister, who was murdered and stripped of the opportunity of going to college, for the last 22 years, has been an inspiration for hundreds of young adults helping them to go to college, through the Cheryl Regina Robinson Scholarship Fund.
"And my little niece, age 9 years, who gave her toys to neighborhood kids, still, 22 years later, inspires the gifts that have gone to thousands of kids who would not have, otherwise received anything. They continue to inspire me daily," he passionately explained.
Now representing the third generation of family who puts their "love into action," Charles Butch Walton, son of Co-Founder, Jeannetta Robinson, and grandson of Co-Founder Claretta (Mother Freedom) Simpson, moves increasingly into the administrative roles of Career Youth Development, the 39-year-old social service agency.
CYD has served many of Milwaukee’s current leaders and reaches hundreds of youngsters daily in varied programs of self-development and skill proficiency.
Born in Mount Bayou, Mississippi, Walton came to Milwaukee at age 5 years. Brought up by religious parents, active in the civil rights movement, Charles had the honor of participating in many anti-violence and desegregation activities in Milwaukee. At the age of 10 years, he attended the famous "March on Washington." Sitting on the shoulders of his Grandmother, he heard the internationally renowned "I Have A Dream" speech, as it was delivered.
Mother Simpson, who lived to be 103, and has a street named in her honor, was called Mother Freedom and transferred those tenets to her daughter Jeannetta and her grandchildren, including Charles.
In descriptions of his Grandmother’s influence on his life, Butch wrote: "‘Mama’ brought me to Milwaukee on the old Milwaukee Road Railroad train, in the rear of a box car with the only food being fried chicken, she kept in her purse, popcorn she had popped and put in a large paper sack and Pet Milk mixed with water and molasses.
"We carried our food because ‘Negroes’ weren’t allowed in the dining cars and we stepped off the train three days later in Milwaukee with me trying to help her carry huge suitcases tied together with stockings and string."
Continuing, "Before coming to Milwaukee, Mama carried me on top of her long cotton sack while picking cotton in the Mississippi cotton fields on her father’s plantation and I gave my contribution by picking one piece of cotton and handing it to her as she walked the long paths up and down, singing songs like, ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ and ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’ or ‘We Shall Not Be Moved.’
"These and other songs were often sung around the wood burning stove, as we watched the wind moving the pecan tree leaves in the front yard.
"Mama played on our old piano at home and enrolled me as the first Black child to attend the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music at age six. She bought me my first guitar from a local pawnshop for $60, which began my musical career. Today, I am an international composer/arranger and recording artist with such songs as ‘Victory Over Violence,’ ‘We the Children,’ ‘Safe Night USA’ and the national theme song for the Million Youth Movement, ‘Million Youth on the Move.’
"Mama made sure I received my education and taught me to love and respect everyone despite the hatred and cultural racism, which was pervasive then and continues to exist today. She always told me God always comes first, keep a strong mind, love in your heart and always push forward for what is right. She always said, ‘Never give up!’"
Butch’s memories of Mama are ever present today, and frame his character, his commitment and his devotion to making a difference. "She picked cotton, scrubbed floors, sewed to feed me, risked her life to protect me and make a better way of life for thousands of youth and families.
"She taught me right from wrong, which many times meant a spanking while I was young, and going up side my head, with whatever she could grab, when I got older, even at 100 years of age."
Since 2004, Charles Walton has been the Deputy Director/Program Support Specialist for CYD. He had been called upon frequently to review programs or assist in preparing prospectus during his 29 plus years with the Social Development Commission as the Manager/Director of the SDC Safe Haven Family and Youth Services, he had worked outside CYD to create safety programs and reduce neighborhood crime.
He is the founder of Safe Night Overnights, which provided safe environments for youth to enjoy games, dances, and other youth-oriented activities, for over 10,000 children.
His programs were awarded citations, proclamations and other awards from the Governor, Mayor, County Supervisors and Aldermanic Council.
Certified by the Urban Technology Center of New York, he is a Certified Computer Trainer and has taught youth, adults and even senior citizens how to use computers and supervised trainers for the SDC Computer Learning Center. He is a multi-awarding winning Television Producer, having been Executive Producer for the "Jeannetta Robinson TV Show" for the past seventeen years. He is a licensed videographer and an original co-founder of the Milwaukee Academy of Aviation, Science and Technology (MAAST), with over 300 students who are learning aviation, aeronautic, avionics and aerospace, with complete essential curriculums. Additionally, in an effort to curb substance abuse, the collaborative CYD/Boys and Girls Club of Milwaukee Reality Check Underage Drinking/Alcohol and Drug Abuse prevention program takes youth and certifies them as licensed producers of lighting, design, camera operation, character generation, technical directing, and directing.
Charles Butch Walton, you have inherited a rich legacy of advocacy and committed service to those most in need.
You have overcome great obstacles and embraced the tenets of Christian love, even though you were painfully traumatized. You are the Best. With help from your devoted Grandmother, Mother, family and friends, you have refused to be victimized or bitter.
Instead, you have captured every opportunity to grow, mature and take on the character of your parents and grandparent, a demonstration of the Best of the Bests.
You continue to ensure that the legacy of your sister. Cheryl; niece, Netta; Grandmother, Claretta and Mother, Jeannetta; live on in the children, current leaders and the future leaders who will come through the doors, services and auspices of CYD.
You, Charles Butch Walton continue to create opportunities for young people to exceed their immediate environments and strive for excellence with skills that augment employment, the road to adult success.
You are the Best of the Bests and we applaud you. We extend best wishes to you, your Mother, Jeannetta and the staff of CYD as you all work to meet the changing needs of the constituency you so compassionately serve.
You example positively for the young men in our community, the subjects of our focus, "For the Sake of Aaron." And we thank you! You are the Best of the Bests!
