A Legacy To Cherish

Pullman Porter, White House, Helped Create 1st Black Union -- Was a significant figure in the history of Pullman porters. These porters worked on the Pullman Palace Car Company’s luxury railroad sleeping cars, serving white passengers traveling across the country.

https://www.delilahwpiercecollection.com/post/delilah-s-father-george-frank-williams-pullman-porter-by-patti-schulte-of-history-hub

WWI Buffalo Soldier, 92nd, Professor, Teacher, Spoke 5 Languages -- A Sargent in the Army, spoke 5 languages, a professor at Lane College, and later Armstrong Elementary in DC.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:ca585d83-9b93-4ac0-83b3-5c584a941bcc

Internationally beloved artist, curator, and diplomat. A movement leader who had the original Little Paris Group included women of diverse backgrounds who were highly educated and groundbreakers. People like Gladys Payne, first female journalist.

https://www.delilahwpiercecollection.com/delilahwpiercevault

Originally from the Taylor family, Mr. Spence was part of a group of brothers who owned one of the first black trucking companies in Jim Crow South (Emporia, VA) - Three Brothers Trucking. He went on to marry Mediel Francis Wallace, daughter of a Buffalo Soldier in WWI, and Granddaughter of a Pullman Porter who later worked at the White House. His career after the military led him to North Carolina Mutual where he and Mediel was featured in their magazines (HUGE at the time) and was a million dollar producer in the 60's (Another amazing achievement).

Mediel began her career as an elementary school teacher at the Greensville County Training School in Emporia, VA for 5 years 1953-59. Mediel and William Sr. moved to Washington, DC where she began her local teaching career with District of Columbia Public Schools in 1959. Her first teaching assignment was at J.C. Nalle Elementary. Mediel’s performance at Nalle's earned her a promotion and permanent position as a third-grade teacher at Raymond Elementary in N.W. Washington, DC. As a devoted teacher Mediel’s professional teaching career spanned over 38 years. Once she retired from teaching in 1984, Mediel’s love for the classroom led her into a position as a teacher’s assistant where she served until her retirement in 1996. From her nearly 40 years of service Mediel often reflected and cherished the memories of her students whose lives she was blessed to impact and the staff she came to know as friends and loved dearly. Mediel’s family and friends celebrated her retirement from DC Public Schools on the ODYSSEY Cruise Line Spring 1997.  

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Mediel loved people and had an unquenchable passion to serve and support her community. During the 1940’s Mediel served in the High School Cadet Corps and was a member of the local Girl Scout Troop. She enjoyed several memberships throughout her college career and beyond. Mediel was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Omicron Chapter, Charter Member 1952 – 1953; Those Interested in Delta (TIDs) 1951-1952; During her studies at St. Paul’s College Mediel served on the Altar Guild, and she was a dedicated Sunday school teacher, as well as served with Future Teachers of America (F.T.A.).

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Mediel was a humble soul but did have her 15 minutes of fame. She appeared with her husband in several North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance magazines during their annual conferences. Mediel was featured and appeared in the Senior Model Photo Shoot for AMTRAK during 2007. She was a featured model in the Legacy, Essence and Ebony Magazine: AMTRAK Family Reunions Series “Welcome on Board!”. Mediel also appeared in the Home Box Office (HBO) series House of Cards. 

Dr. Armstrong was born April 17, 1919 in Youngstown, a son of Fletcher F. and Maggie (Madge E. Harth) Armstrong. 

He was a product of the Youngstown City Schools, having graduated from South High School, class of January 1938, and remained a lifelong resident of this city, where he devoted his life to education and community service. 

He was a WWII Army veteran having served in the Field Artillery and Quartermaster Corp as a drill sergeant and company battalion headquarters clerk. After duty in the South Pacific, he was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1946. 

He entered Youngstown College and graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration with certification for high school teaching in 1949. 

He was informed by the Dean of Education about a high school vacancy for which he applied, but was denied due to the racial climate that existed. Determined to break the racial barrier, he re-entered Youngstown College and received a second BS degree in education, with an elementary school teaching certificate in 1953, thereby starting his very successful teaching career. 

His first assignment was at Thornhill School. In 1956, he received a MS degree in Education Administration from Westminster College and an Ed.D. degree in education, administration from the University of Akron in 1974. He also had a superintendent certificate for the State of Ohio. 

He received high commendations for his expertise and teaching methods, and was appointed to serve as a helping teacher, working with beginning elementary school classroom teachers throughout the Youngstown School System. He was also instrumental in helping two African-American teachers to be integrated into supervisory positions. 

He received an appointment as a cadet principal and in 1965, was appointed the first African-American Elementary School principal.

He was also responsible for two African-American school secretaries being promoted to positions at the Central Business office. 

Dr. Armstrong served as principal at Covington (Martin Luther King Jr.) and Monroe schools, which later merged with Grant, creating Hillman Elementary School from which he retired in 1986. 

His love, respect and concern for every child was evident throughout his 39 years of education. 

He loved to travel with his wife, Betty, and traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and all parts of the world. 
 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155323088/herbert-louis-armstrong

(Bottom-Right) Born on February 10, 1928, in Greensville County, Virginia, to Jesse and Fannie Spence, Hortense grew up surrounded by her loving siblings, Norfleet, Dallas, Thelma, Jessie Jr., Valroy, William Arthur Douglas, Celestee, Paul, and Pauline in the Hicksford area, near Macedonia Baptist Church. Adored by her father, she fondly recalled tying his shoes each morning, establishing herself as the cherished "daddy's girl."

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Mrs. Williams graduated high school from Greensville County schools and attended St. Paul’s Polytechnical College (later known as St. Paul’s College), where she majored in industrial education. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior early and faithfully attended Macedonia Baptist Church, where she was a member until she relocated to Norfolk, Virginia, in the 1940s.

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After graduating from college, she embraced entrepreneurship, inspired by her father. She relocated to the Hampton Roads area to stay with her older sister, the late Thelma Edwards, a local educator, married to the late Albert T. Edwards, former principal of I.C. Norcom High School. Her vision of motivating others to be and look their best prompted her to start working as a manicurist.  She observed barbers and stylists working alongside her in the shop, quickly realizing that she could outperform them. She was ahead of her time as an African-American businesswoman in the 1960s in a male-dominated profession. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to open Hortense’s Barber Salon, a trailblazing establishment at 908 Church Street, Norfolk, Virginia, in early 1960. She expanded the business to include manicurists, cosmetologists, and barbers. Hortense’s Salon was the place to get your hair cut and styled. Men in the Norfolk area knew where to go to get the “conk” style in the early 1960s, leading to Afros in the late 1960s, Jheri Curls in the 1970s, flat tops, high-top fades, rat tail, etc. Mrs. Williams hired and mentored the best barbers and stylists who stayed up with the fashions over the years, maintaining a customer base of the most influential men in the Norfolk area. In early 2000, she relocated the business to 848 Granby Street in Norfolk. Mrs. Williams, a visionary African-American businesswoman, mentored many in the industry and nurtured a legacy beyond hair care. She worked every day at the shop until the pandemic because she loved the people she worked alongside and the community she served. Her succession plan for the business was to pass the shop to her beloved Godson, Wardence Butler, whom she had mentored and poured her love into for many years. Mrs. Williams exemplified unstoppable selflessness, emphasizing the importance of love and giving back.

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Mrs. Williams was a pillar in the community, sponsoring church and community sessions to speak to students on the importance of self-image and professional “presence” in their academic and professional pursuits. She mentored many middle and high school students who worked in the shop as pre-apprentices, including her nephew, Douglas. Now a medical doctor, Douglas used the money to help buy his school clothes. She always reached back to help others achieve, always putting herself last. She strongly advocated for education, community service, economic empowerment, and self-sufficiency.

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Mrs. Williams served as a trustee at First Baptist Church, Bute Street, where she engaged in community outreach and fundraising to support young people in their academic endeavors. Each year, she raised funds and collected donations so that students would have backpacks and supplies for the beginning of the school year. She loved children and devoted her time and talent to ensuring they had what was needed for their academic pursuits.

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Mrs. Williams was instrumental in developing the Norfolk State University Basketball Classic, collaborating with Dr. Harrison B. Wilson, the late Norfolk State University President. She wanted as many youth from the community as possible to see the university and to attend collegiate games. She worked tirelessly to fundraise for young people to attend a college basketball game at Joe Echols Hall, free of charge.  She also spearheaded community fundraisers for the L.D. Britt, MD, Scholarship, serving on the committee to award scholarships for minority students from the Norfolk Community. She was honored with many awards for her community engagement, including the Norfolk State University Presidential Citation. Unstoppable and selfless, she was a champion of volunteerism and felt strongly about people giving back to their community. Mrs. Williams was quoted in The Voice, a local newspaper, stating, “The youth just need someone to show them love and let them know that someone cares about them. We need to show more love. We really need to show more love.” Mrs. Williams lived by that statement each day, showing God’s love.

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A woman of great poise and eloquence, she was admired for her beauty, style, business sense, heartfelt generosity, and ability to handle any situation. She encouraged all her nieces to keep a business sense and be ready, as you don’t know when opportunities will present themselves. “Business is business, baby.” Her charm, beauty, and wit could command an audience. She willingly shared the spotlight and was quick to help others rise and prosper. She will be greatly missed by all who know her.

Betty was born September 7, 1927 in Youngstown, Ohio the eldest child to the union of Homer Lee Sr. and Cora Mae Stalard Greene. She was affiliated with both the Catholic and Episcopalian faith. She was a member of St. Augustine Episcopal Church.

Betty attended St. Ann's Elementary, Hayes Jr. High Middle School and graduated from The Rayen School January 1946. In her freshman year, at Youngstown College, she was chosen to be the very first Kappa Sweetheart of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. She graduated from Youngstown College in 1950 with a bachelor's degree majoring in history with minors in English and home economics.

In 1953, she graduated from Western Reserve University now known as Case Western Reserve University with a Master's degree in library science. While at "Reserve", she was inducted into the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity of Graduate Women. After graduation Betty became the first black librarian at Youngstown College. On July 1, 1953, she was hired as an assistant cataloguer with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. She served in numerous positions throughout her tenure including children's librarian, the book mobile, Branch Liberian of East and McGuffey Mall, and Regional Supervisor of both South and Fosterville Branches. Betty retired after 32 ½ years of service on March 31, 1986.

Betty married Dr. Herbert Louis Armstong on July 31, 1955 and they enjoyed 51 years of life together, traveling extensively throughout the U.S.A. and parts of the world, including Europe, China and Africa. Herbert passed February 21, 2007. Betty is an Archousa, wife to Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Member Section Beta Rho Boule.

Betty was a charter member and past president of the Youngstown Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She was initiated May 19, 1951, her membership certificate was signed by Dorothy Height was the Sorority's National President. Betty was a charter member of the Youngstown Chapter of Negro Business & Professional Women's Club. She was a 50 plus year member of the American Association of University Women and a Life Member of the NAACP.

Betty became a member of the Youngstown Chapter of the Links, Inc. initiated in 1960 where she served as past president, a member of the Central Area Nominating Committee and honored as a Platinum Member in September 2015. Betty continued memberships in many civic and social organizations throughout her life. In 2013, she served on the Booker Project honoring world renowned civil right icon Simeon Booker. She received numerous honors including being honored by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in 2016.

Jack (Back-Left) and Mediel (Back-Right) doing intelligence work for America. Have Jack's FBI application copy and digitized reels of them both tracking individuals internationally. Jacks front careers were that of musician for orchestra's, teacher and a chef. Mediel was identified as a "House Wife" on her trip to Ethiopia, West Africa, Middle East, and Europe. The collection also has reels of the work Mediel and Delilah (her sister) did in Africa. Mediel was with Delilah when they went to Ethiopia to talk to Selassie:

https://www.delilahwpiercecollection.com/historic-gallery-photo-s

https://www.delilahwpiercecollection.com/post/delilah-w-pierce-among-the-first-organized-group-of-american-blacks-to-travel-to-ethiopia-in-1962

Footage of them tracking targets was edited out for safety reasons even though these files have been recently declassified. 

• Retired from Berklee College of Music in 2022, with over 15 years of service 

• President of Rhythm, Rhyme, Results, an educational rap music company, and CEO and creative director of Belvedere Productions, a music production company specializing in educational materials

• Conductor emeritus of the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston

• Musician in residence at the Memorial Church, Harvard University

• Studies at Fontainebleau, Aspen, and Tanglewood

• Guest conductor with the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the National Symphony in Washington, D.C., and the Boston Pops, among others in the U.S., and also with various orchestras worldwide

• First American to hold a major post at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where he was appointed principal conductor and then music director of the Royal Ballet; conducted before members of Britain's royal family on several occasions, including the 90th birthday gala for Royal Ballet founder Dame Ninette de Valois

• Recordings include Gospel at the Symphony with the Louisville Orchestra (Koch), Music of Nigel Butterley with the Melbourne Symphony (ABC Classics), Music of William Grant Still with the Berlin Symphony (Koch), My First Concert with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), and New Year's Eve Concert with the Berlin Symphony (Sony), among many others

• Publications include "As We Forgive Those," Boston Athenæum Occasional Papers, 2003; "Does Cape Town Need a Professional Symphony Orchestra?" Keeping Score, 1999; "Towards a Vision of Mutual Responsiveness: Remythologizing the Symphony Orchestra" (with Dr. Marilyn Fischer), Harmony, 1997; "Music: Its Place in Human Development," Concannon Oration, 1995; and "Augustine, Music, and Human Goodness: A Commentary," University of Dayton Review, 1994

Awards

• Professor Emeritus, Berklee College of Music

https://college.berklee.edu/people/isaiah-jackson