Little League baseball legend James Beckum named "Man of the Year"
by Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo
When DeMarco Morgan, co-chair of the newspaper’s 31st Anniversary suggested a Man of the Year Contest, we wondered about the political ramifications, with a group of such talented men, each having already been declared the Best of the Best.
Reluctantly, the committee agreed to this community involvement strategy. We postponed beginning the actual contest until each honoree had been profiled and presented to the community.
The profiles were designed to identify men who, in their daily lives, make major contributions to the community. Their contributions may lie in their employment, their community advocacy roles within organizations, in their churches and definitely in their families. Of course, it was impossible to profile every man who justifiably deserved that honor.
However, over the course of years, the newspaper has been able to chronicle major accomplishments and the persons directly or indirectly responsible for creation, development or execution of the achievement. Naturally, these men first came to mind. But the question is often asked: "Well, who are they, really? What led them to do the things they do? Who are or were their models?"
These kinds of questions the profiles attempted to answer. And, their lives, their challenges, and their savvy in overcoming adversities were the benchmark revelations that we hoped to transfer to our youngsters in the "For the Sake of Aaron " project. We think we accomplished that. Undeniably, we learned a lot more about each other and saw these nuclei of potential poised to lead in new ways, when harnessed.
With the synergy of the focused, straight ahead, united, motion of the men in the Charles Bibbs "Men for All Seasons" picture, used in the "For the Sake of Aaron" yearlong focus, the contest to select a Man of the Year was intense. Over the course of several weeks, community votes came via emails; single ballots, envelopes filled with ballots and manila folders filled with what appeared to be every employee, parishioner, family member and friend. We were pleasantly deluged with responses.
Several front-runners led, for a while. And like the Kentucky Derby, we often thought we could predict the winner. Similar to the story, in "Aesop’s Fables," about the "Tortoise and the Hare," one name continued to remain constant, often not in first place, but still always in the running. That name was that of the ultimate contest winner, James Beckum creator, director and passionate executive of the Beckum Stapleton Little League.
His announcement was met with thunderous applause, for within the other honorees, several were products of his little league commitment, now representing 44 years.
Mr. Beckum, through little league baseball, has taught the values of being on time; fair play; working as a team, not just a star or leader; working to clear the diamonds; protecting the equipment; exercise, rest, diet for body-building and reserve; and working to become winners.
Since 1964, James Beckum has been recruiting volunteers; soliciting companies and corporations for sponsorship of the teams; admonishing misbehavior and lauding and applauding good behavior. He, unequivocally, has mentored many fine men. So, we are delighted that James Beckum, a mentor to mentors is the ‘Milwaukee Community Journal’s 2007 ‘Man of the Year’!"
We congratulate Mr. Beckum and the many voters who took the time to support their respective candidates. It can never be said that "they do not vote!" For indeed we do vote, when we have something about which we really care. Your vote did count!
Here are some of the things the voters had to say about their candidate:
"It’s a great honor for James Brown to be chosen to be apart of this celebration. He is a perfect example of what a Christian Man is to be. I have known him for all of my life, if everyone could experience knowing him as I know him, the world would be a better place. James Brown is my father." --Vickie Gaddis
"I know Mr. Sims, personally, and he is as genuine as the article. There was no posturing in anything that was said or done. A great person." --Jonathan Spruill
"As the former recipient of a scholarship from the ‘Milwaukee Community Journal,’ I am proud to cast my vote for Tyran Saffold, Jr., as Man of the Year. I send my regards to Ms. O’Flynn Pattillo and Mr. Holt. Thank you for guiding our young people (myself included) towards accomplishment and responsibility." --Orlando Diaz, Evaluator, ECE
"My name is Omorinsola Awosika and I am a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I read your profile and voted for you.
"I am glad to see a young African American male making something of himself. So often we hear of all the negative news, so I am finally glad to hear something positive. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors."
"Congratulations on a job well done, or should I say several jobs well done! I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. I am also proud to know that you are giving back to the community by supporting causes that encourage and strengthen our African American young men and women." --Mathia Wheatfall Sanders
"Go Cory! --Tonnie L. Boston, G Communications, Inc.
"I vote for Leonard Peace for Man of the Years Go Brewers!--Caitlin M. Suess
"I cast my vote for Leonard Peace.
"I find Leonard to be a terrific and caring leader. He is firmly grounded in doing what is right for others and the community. We are very fortunate to have him in Milwaukee."
"My Dad (Leonard Peace) is the BEST! He is the "Dad of the Year" and "Man of the Year." --Brandon Peace (5-years-old)
"Mac Weddle deserves to be ‘Man of the Year’ because of the high stand of accomplishments. When Mac and the brothers returned from the ‘Million Man March’ wishing to realize the results of the pledge taken to improve our lives and our race, he began support of community political action through Black Unity. He helped form and then led the community Call to Vote. He advocated and created 100 give $100 and convinced three others to do the same. This self-funded and independent entity has been an arm for advocacy. Milwaukee is a better place because of Mac Weddle." --Wyman B. Winston
"I believe Dr. Charles Thornhill should be the Man of the Year, because there is none other like him. He is a great teacher of the gospel, facts he is the best. He is a man that will go to the limit with you in your time of need. Very caring, he loves people." --Ella Richardson
"I would like to take this opportunity to vote for Pastor John W. McVicker Sr. as Man of the Year. The excellent teaching originating from his ministry at Christ the King has had a profound affect on my family. I have been under his leadership for many years. I reside on the lower east side of Milwaukee. My husband and I raised a beautiful young daughter, a college graduate (UWM), now married and expecting her first child. Application of what is in God’s word was my guide in raising my child and being an example of a Christian mother. This is why I believe Pastor McVicker should be "Man of the Year." --Mary Dixon
"I vote for Gualien Smith," JB "Every child comes with a message that God is not yet discouraged of man"...Rabindranath Tagore
"I would like to vote for Dr. Bruce Hamilton for providing Black children with a different type of role model than the normal sports star."--Cindy Salentine
"I vote for Vincent Lyles. Native of Wisconsin and believes in the positive things that the City has to offer. He brings a lot of connections and expertise to the City and the group that he participates in." Good luck. --Holly Hortman
My name is James Smith, Jr. and my vote is for the greatest uncle in the world, James Beckum."
This brief review of emails gives a feeling of the honors each of these men deserve. The comments on paper ballots would take a full newspaper to reprint. Not a single man was left out in the voting process. Each received multiple votes, whether by email, write in or simply dropping in the office to express personal comments about the candidates.
The question has been asked: How can I recommend someone. Our answer is, as it has always been, simply drop in or call in, we welcome your suggestions. We then examine who has been referred and attempt to assemble the best group of people to profile.
Those who agree to help support the programs of the "Milwaukee Community Journal" and those who are willing to give more financial support to our students in the mentoring project, to our college students who need the annual scholarship in order to continue to pursue their dreams, to volunteer to promote the annual Anniversary Gala, are ultimately the ones chosen to be profiled, each year.
The Anniversary Gala is the principal revenue-generating project of the "Milwaukee Community," each year. Over the years, over $300,000 have been given back to the community in scholarships for students who persevere, study and graduate from college. To date, $ 20,000 has now been given to the "For the Sake of Aaron" mentoring project, under the leadership of Dr. William Rogers, of Nirvana Ministries, Inc. And, another $10,000 will be directed to this project as the final proceeds of the 2007 Gala have been received. Along, with the $10,000 grant from the Helen Bader Foundation, for the "For the Sake of Aaron" project, the young boys from the Dr. Martin Luther King Academy will be able to continue their journey into Manhood.
We pledged when we began this newspaper, September l, 1976, that we would be a vehicle for change. That we would accentuate our positives.....we still must do that, no one does it better than the "Milwaukee Community Journal." And we pledged to keep a pulse on the community.....our anxieties, our battles that must be waged to bring about change...to acknowledge our accomplishments....to celebrate our victories and to always "PLEAD OUR OWN CAUSE!"
Yes, in my 42 years in newspaper publishing, the job is not yet done! Our community challenges continue, though we have worked so hard.
Our resolve to continue, to work harder, to enlist others whose missions coincide with our own, to refuse to be disheartened, is in fact more defined today than at any other time in our history.
Joe Black, one of the first African American corporate vice presidents in the history of corporate America, from Greyhound Bus Company used to say: "These are the best of times; and the worst of times." How appropriate were his words, some twenty plus years, ago.
We have witnessed the rise of brilliant Black men in corporate America; in sports; in medicine, entertainment; in elected offices throughout the United States, in Congress, big cities and small hamlets.
We have seen the elevation of men of color in our armed services, our courthouses, our institutions of learning and national organizations.
But, we have also witnessed the travesty of mis-education; no education; abhorrent unemployment; proliferation of drugs, the underground economy; and more prisons than we would ever desire to fill. These are the worse of times, about which Joe Black spoke.
"The Milwaukee Community Journal" must continue to be a VOICE, a burning bush in the wilderness that sheds light on the cancers, while not permitting the cancers to devour our spirit.
For it is the spirit, that outlives the temporal. And it is that spirit that we embrace and for which we continue to carry the torch. We recognize that our race continues!
The victory lies with the swift, those who continue to carry the baton and pass it on to best runner. Our Man of the Year, today, shines with the spotlight, justifiably, on him! We applaud you Mr. Beckum, today’s trophy goes to you!
Though, tomorrow, each of the honorees shall have the opportunity to capture that same spotlight and permit it to fall upon them, as they go about their busy, day to day activities and musings, and strive to make Milwaukee a better place in which we live.
They are genuinely committed to make these days: "The best of times" and we therefore again celebrate the honorees all as "Our Best of the Bests, 2007!" |
