Binding Us Together by Alvin Brooks

Author:Alvin Brooks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Published: 2021-01-28T23:04:28+00:00

Chapter 4

SCHOOLWORK—AND THE RIOT

From the Police Department to the KC School District, 1964

When I knew things weren’t going to improve for me at the police department, I began to explore other employment possibilities. I submitted my letter of resignation to the department on October 9 and officially left the police department on October 31, 1964—Halloween. The following week, I started with the Kansas City Public Schools as a home school coordinator. Years earlier, they were called “truant officers.”

Here’s the background. Mrs. Eugea Parker was a home school coordinator. She and I and most all the Black home school coordinators had worked family cases together when I was in the Juvenile Bureau. When Mrs. Parker heard from one of her coworkers that I had given notice to the police department, she contacted me.

“Alvin, there’s a spot waiting for you over here at the school district as a home school coordinator. The principals know you. If you want to join us over here, I’ll pass the word to the principals, and they will request you. I’ll handle it here on the inside. The families and kids who need our services know you. And the folks at the juvenile court know you. This job was made for you since you’re leaving the police department. If you say you’ll take it if it’s offered, I’ll talk to the director of the department, Mrs. Belguard. She’ll hire you. I know she will. Send me a résumé and do it right away.”

I knew Mrs. Parker’s husband, Mr. Obster Parker, who was the owner of Parker’s Show Bar on 18th Street (I mentioned Mr. Parker earlier when his place was raided). I told Mrs. Parker I would get her my résumé. Several days later, I was to meet with Mrs. Belguard in her office at nine in the morning. Mrs. Parker was to meet me there. When I arrived on the ninth floor of the Board of Education building, I introduced myself and said I was there to meet Mrs. Belguard and Mrs. Eugea Parker. The secretary said Mrs. Belguard was expecting me and ushered me into a conference room where there was a meeting in session with all the home school coordinators.

Mrs. Belguard walked up to me, introduced herself, and welcomed me to the meeting. Mrs. Belguard asked Mrs. Parker, “Eugea, will you introduce our guest?” which Mrs. Parker did. Mrs. Belguard went through my résumé without really looking at it. When she finished, Mrs. Parker talked for fifteen minutes about my past and bragged about my relationship with the school principals, teachers, parents, and students and about the resources I had in the community.

She then said, “That’s my friend, Alvin Brooks.”

Mrs. Belguard said, “Thank you, Eugea. Alvin, welcome to this wonderful staff of dedicated people.” She shook my hand, and everyone applauded. I was shocked; I really didn’t know what to say. I never heard of anyone being hired on the spot and being presented to all his coworkers before he even said he accepted the appointment.

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