The portrait of the infamous Dr. Marion and Marie Brooks were remembered for their contributions to Fort Worth’s African-American history. A reception honoring the Brooks was held at the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum

Fort Worth, Texas—Great cities are a direct reflection of its citizenry. When one reflects on the historic past of Ft. Worth the name Amon Carter Sr., jumps to the top of any list. For those who had the fortune to reside on the other side of the Interstate-35, you will find Dr. Marion “Jack” Brooks name perched on, or near the top that list.
For two men, from different sides of a thriving city, their impact lingers years after their absence. Both men possessed similar qualities when it came to leadership. Care and concern for their communities were at the center of their efforts to improve quality of life in Ft. Worth. This theme of concern, along with Dr. Brooks’ approachability and access, was an anthem of the accolades mentioned numerous times as the life of Dr. and Mrs. Marion Brooks was revisited during a formal reception on at the Lenora Rolla Heritage Museum.

Guest at the reception toured the LRHCM viewing historic past of African-Americans in Ft.Worth.

Guest view past treasurers and memories of the past.

Friends, Senator Wendy Davis and Commissioner Roy Brooks share a moment as he receives a plaque on the occasion

“Though very educated, Dr. Brooks was so down-to-earth. He was accessible and approachable to everyone in the community,” boasted Sarah Walker, a member of the board at the Tarrant County Black Genealogical Society. “We were fortunate to have such a caring man at the forefront of our struggle.”
Twenty years after his passing, one may ask, why are we still discussing the work of Dr. Brooks. Butch Clemons, retired drug rehabilitation counselor, and son of Ft. Worth legend James “Pappy” Clemons, had similar thoughts. “I remember when he helped integrate Paschal High School. He believed in and genuinely loved the people – and the people loved him back. Equality, for all was at the center of all his work.”

Daughter-in-law of Dr. Marion Brooks, Dr. Jennifer Giddings-Brooks and Dr. Gwen Morrison

Family friend Kathleen Hicks(c) spreads her cheer with the siblings of Dr. Brooks Roy (l) and Carol (r)

This sentiment rang true in Brooks’ labor as one of the few physician available to in the black community coming out of Jim Crow. This meant often providing medical care and delivering babies for free. As the medical staple in the Black community Dr. Brooks was the go-to practitioner for many basic medical services in the African-American neighborhoods.
During the 60s Dr. Brooks was active in the struggle for civil rights in Ft. Worth. On the same day Martin Luther King Jr. led the march on Washington, Dr. Brooks was leading a march to governor’s mansion Austin with his five children in tow. Fighting for Civil Rights led to Dr. Brooks aligning himself with other civil rights groups that included Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. Though not popular and thought of as radical, the Black Panthers were seen in a positive light in the community. “My father was proud of his association with the Panthers. When Black Panther Geronimo Pratt was released from prison after 28 years, one of the first places he came was to Texas and visited my father,” said Roy Brooks. “He sent money to Geronimo while he was incarcerated.” Dr. Brooks was known to support organizations that he thought would further the interest of the Black community.

Carol thanks guest for taking time to share in remembering her parents.

Three of the five remaining children of Dr. & Mrs Brooks; Roy, Carol and Clarence

As part of Black history month, two rooms at the Lenora Rolla heritage Center Museum are filled with medical equipment, telegraphs, plaques and awards lauding the Dr. Brooks accomplishments and the mark the Brooks left on Tarrant County. A legacy of honor and service – Dr. Brooks works are an experience worth revisiting.

Email:donaldmooney@hotmail.com

By John Hanners, Emeritus Professor of Theatre, Texas A&M University-Commerce
Feb 21, 2013
In the 1920s and 1930s, Bonham mezzo-soprano Roberta Dodd Crawford (1897-1954) shot across the concert world like a rare comet, blazing with talent and demonstrating the power of black performers to seriously engage American and European critics and audiences. In the end, through bad luck and poor circumstance, she flamed out, dying broke and forgotten by the world she had made richer by her incandescent presence.

She came from humble circumstances, spent long years training her remarkable voice, toured extensively in the U.S. and France, socialized and worked with fellow ex-patriots in Paris during the 1920s and early 1930s, married an American World War I hero and, later, an African prince; and suffered physically and mentally while under Nazi detention during World War II.

This article will focus on three things: Roberta Dodd Crawford’s education, her marriages, and her fascinating career. Her story is a look at the transitory nature of fame and the unpredictable outcomes of a black artist’s public and professional life in the realms of politics, race and art.

Roberta Dodd Crawford was born on 5 August 1897, one of eight children of Joe Dodd, a day laborer, and Emma Dunlap Dodd. Nothing in Crawford’s early childhood suggested that she was anything but an ordinary young girl who went to Booker T. Washington School, played with her brothers and sisters in the streets of Tank Town, and faithfully attended church on Sundays. But by her early teens it was obvious that Crawford was different than other children. She possessed an otherworldly soprano voice, later described by one critic as “ethereal,” an instrument so formidable that even in this music-rich area of Northeast Texas everyone noticed it.

A group of five well-to-do white women paid tuition and board for her to study music at Wiley College in Marshall. After two years she transferred to Nashville’s Fisk University. Fisk, founded in 1866, was already home to a storied music program that featured Tennessee’s first musical organization, the Mozart Society, and the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Then, around 1920 (the date is uncertain), Crawford moved to Chicago to enrol in the Chicago Musical College. Founded in 1867, the College had a reputation for rigorous musical study, demanding teachers, and a willingness to educate black musicians. In 1917 student Nora Holt, later a friend of Crawford’s in Paris, became the first African American woman to earn a university master’s degree. Crawford studied primarily with Hattie Van Buren, a prominent voice professor, Broadway veteran, and husband of Herman DeVries, a composer and music critic for the Chicago American.

Over the next six years, Crawford honed her craft and launched her professional singing career. She painstakingly put together a recital program of classical and contemporary pieces. Crawford sang in five languages (German, Italian, French, Spanish, and English) and included contemporary American black composers. She made her professional debut on April 15, 1926, at Chicago’s Kimball Hall. Positive reviews of that performance came from white and black newspapers alike: the Chicago Daily Tribune, The Daily News, The Chicago Defender. The Daily Tribune critic wrote that her voice possessed an “ethereal charm. Very high and clear yet soft and with a pure classic style.”

For the next two years, she toured in the U.S. extensively: Atlanta, Baltimore, Rockford (IL), Indianapolis, St. Paul and smaller cities in Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Then, fatefully, she moved to Paris, France, to further her career.

Roberta Dodd Crawford married twice. Her first husband, whom she married in Chicago, was Captain William Branch Crawford, from Sherman, a career Army officer and World War I combat hero, holder of both the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre for leading a heroic charge out of trenches against heavy German fire. This marriage ended in divorce, sometime in late 1920s.

Captain William Branch Crawford, Roberta Dodd Crawford’s first husband.
Her second marriage was a fairy tale romance involving a real prince, but it ended tragically, and set Ms. Crawford’s life on a downward spiral from which she never fully recovered.

She moved to Paris in late 1929 or early 1930 to begin a new and exciting phase in her life, perhaps to escape the racist concert world of America, perhaps to test her talent against the greatest artists of her generation.

In Paris, sometime in 1931, Crawford met Kojo Tovalou Houénou (1887-1938), a prominent anti-colonialist, human rights activist, and writer from Dahomey in Africa. He and Crawford married on March 6, 1932. Tovalou was related to Dahomey’s royal family and was called “Prince Tovalou” and Roberta became Princess Tovalou. Tovalou was a controversial and charismatic figure who edited a radical newspaper and was close friends with prominent American blacks like Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Dubois.

The couple lived at 64 Rue Danton on the Left Bank and their “their home became a gathering place for the international music society of Europe” and Crawford’s career “flourished.” The couple’s social life embraced the Parisian art, music, and theatre world and their palatial home became the center of African American culture in Paris. It was a dizzying world of famous personalities, American ex-pats, parties, plays, concerts, and nightclubs—a far cry from the Tank Town section of Bonham, Texas.

Kojo Tovalou (center), Roberta’s second husband. At right is legendary civil rights activist Marcus Garvey.
But this new and glittering existence was to be short lived. Tovalou, hounded by French authorities for his radical views, was sentenced to prison for allegedly stealing $12,500 francs and reneging on a promise to marry the widow of the heir to the Dahomey throne.

Before he could begin his sentence, however, the couple sailed to Dahomey to live in West Africa and to have a traditional African marriage, but their happiness was short lived. Tovalou was convicted by French colonial authorities of “writing a bad check for 25,000 francs,” found in contempt of court, and sentenced to eighteen months in Cap Manuel, a notoriously cruel prison. He died there, on July 2, 1936, of typhoid fever.32

Desperate and stranded in a strange land, Crawford tried in vain to gain back her husband’s financial assets, which included probably her concert earnings, and her 100,000 franc wedding dowry, about $500,000 in today’s money, but everything was impounded by the French Colonial treasury and she never recovered it.

Now destitute, Crawford somehow made her way back to Paris, moved in with some unidentified English friends, and secured a clerk’s position with the National Library of Paris. She never recovered mentally from the traumatic events of the late 1930s and she never again referred to herself as “Princess Tovalou.”

Lacking funds to escape Paris, Crawford found herself trapped when World War II broke out and the Nazis invaded France. The Nazi occupation was devastating for ex-pat African American artists and musicians. A German edict “set out to eliminate. . . degenerate Jewish-Negro jazz” and the Nazis officially banned all black music concerts on June 24, 1940. Black musicians were harshly treated. Trumpeter Arthur Biggs was sent to a concentration camp. Classical composer Maceo Jefferson, trumpeter Harry Cooper, and bandleader Henry Crowder were all interned for the duration.

Crawford apparently later told Bonham family and friends that she had been in a concentration camp, but no independent confirmation of that has been found. She did lose her library job and was interned, either under house arrest or in an internment camp, for fifty long months. On November 15, 1943, she was issued a Nazi work permit as a cantatrice (opera singer) and professeur de chant (voice teacher), but she was later fired, allegedly for “insufficient work . . . poorly done.”

After liberation in 1945 Crawford gamely struggled on. She sang in the American Red Cross Club in Paris’ Latin Quarter and entertained American GIs in canteens and churches across France. She suffered badly from anemia and credited her ability to keep going to financial help from friends and extra rations gotten to her by an unnamed Fort Worth physician. But the strain was too much.

Broken in health and spirit, she returned to the U.S. around 1950 and moved into the old Bonham family home at 117 E. 7th Street, never to sing again. She later moved to Dallas to 2904 State Street in Freedman’s Town, the segregated black residential area north of downtown. She had permanently left the dazzling interracial artistic society of Paris to live in obscurity in Jim Crow Texas. In Dallas her occupation was listed as “soloist” and as a worker of unspecified “odd jobs.”

Roberta Dodd Crawford died at 7:30 a.m., June 14, 1954, of a heart attack en route to Dallas’ Parkland Hospital. She was fifty-six years old. Thus ended the life of a larger-than-life singer, a woman who never forgot her Bonham roots and who through her remarkable talent entertained audiences on three continents. She is buried, in an unmarked grave, in Bonham’s Gates Hill Cemetery.

Crowning of this years Como Seniors Citizen King and Queen at the Center

Fort Worth, Texas—Valentine- the season of love is day for the most part that’s drama free. Many, if not most, are on their best behavior. If i’m not mistaken crime throughout around the world dips according to some polls. In Como, the beautiful little neighborhood, tucked away on the west side of Fort Worth, the atmosphere reflected results of that poll.
Activities in Como were centered around the Seniors Annual Valentines Day program and Valentines Day parties at Como Elementary.

Students in Ms. Musenda’s class display the fruits of their labor

The day of luv spread all through the elementary hallways

Mrs. Fulbright treated her lovely kids to pizza!

Volunteers like Dana Wiggins helps spread the luv in Ms. Musenda’a class

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY COMO!!!

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It was a joyous time for Democrats in Ft. Worth and they had reason to celebrate. The local Inaugaration Ball was held a the downtown Hilton to celebrate the 2nd term of President Barack Obama

Fort Worth, Texas—A scene similar to what took place at the White House earlier. Well - maybe a bit scaled down, for those who had to hold down the Democratic fort in the city.

An elegant night for those who stand for democratic principles in America

Welcoming committee

the Jim Hinkle Band was the featured musical provider seen here with veteran Blues singer Oklin Bloodsworth(l)

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Bro. Lee Norris, of the Stop Six Church of Christ, lights candle during first annual city-wide prayer meeting for Ft.Worth Churches of Christ.

Fort Worth, Texas—Many start the New Year with meaningful determination to do better and improve their lives significantly as compared to previous years. By February most resolutions will become a faded memory. Churches of Christ in Ft. Worth held a city-wide prayer meeting kicking off the New Year and cementing a form of faith resolution.

“We believe that prayer changes things,” says Bro. Harold Sanders, one of the leaders responsible for the meeting held at the Forrest Hill Church of Christ (FHCOC). A quote that was a rallying point for ministers who spoke at the city-wide gathering.  Forrest Hill Church of Christ’s whole mission is to save souls. Their website points to a grand initiative to save one thousand souls by, or during, 2014.

Bro. Harold Robertson, minister of music at the Central Point Church of Christ in Dallas leads prayer meeting singing.

Bro. Harold Sanders who led the initiative to expand Monday night prayer meeting to a city-wide experience,address’ the meeting.

Bro. Henry Brown of FHCOC opens meeeting with prayer

When one looks at back to the seed that planted the idea for such an event, the first in the city of Ft. Worth by Churches of Christ, Sanders excitedly points to the faith of the membership at Forrest Hill. In 2003, after moving to their current location, the congregations numbers continued to swell. Brethren began plans for expanding the current place of worship. Sanders suggested the Church pray about it first. “Anything you go to do-you should always talk to God about it,” explained Sanders. Sanders said the leadership at FHCOC told him to pray about while encouraging Sanders to work on it.

Moderator Bro. Joe Rhodes of FHCOC instructs panel of prayer parriors on the left and panel speakers on right

The event was time to express oneself to God

Sanders vision is a testimony to his and others faith and hard works. Faithful members of the Forrest Hill membership started meeting for prayer time on the first Monday of each week in 2004. Sanders stated, “Every Monday night, on the first Monday of the month we would come together and there would be as many members on Monday night during prayer time as would during Sunday morning worship.”

Audience members petitions God for their needs

Bro. Alonzo Winston, minister of the Worth Hills COC, fields question from moderator

Bro. Gilbert Bellamy of the FHCOC lights candle before offering heart-felt prayer

FHCOC minister emanel White Sr. introduces the guest speaker of the evening

Bro. Victor Norris, misister of the Richmond Avenue COC subject -”Are You ready To Pray.”

As a result of a prayer seed being planted by the FHCOC congregants, the idea, over time, blossomed into a city-wide event. Ministers from West Vickery, Worth Hills and Richmond Avenue churches of Christ were featured panelist who discussed from scriptures the power and effectiveness of prayer. In between each five minute discussion prayer was rendered by a panel of prayer warriors.

God indeed answers prayer

Sanders, who’s noticeable excitement about this event, pursued the idea of combining the churches of Christ to form a prayerful force. “I wanted to see how it would be to get a collective body together and we pray together about it, said Sanders. “This was the first test. Next year if God bless- we’re going further.”

E-mail:donaldmooney@hotmail.com

A historic day for oour country and Ft.Worth. Words spoken almost 50years ago by Dr. King come full circle with the renaugaration of Americas first African-American president

Fort Worth, Texas—Seeing is believing. nearly 50 years ago a southern Black Baptist minister stood on the capital gounds declaring his vision for this country. Today in America some seem to think the dream is realized, or, at least a piece of the vision is in place. While crowds in D.C. were shuttering for the secnd time the weather in Ft.Worth was pleasant and many came to cheer.

Future heroes of prepare for duty

The people in this years parade reflected the campaign of the 47th President of these United States. A rainbow of hues passed through the streets of Ft.Worth as well as streets in D.C. that the old America is dead and the reality, though bitter for some, is their is a new America known as ‘we the people’ instead of ‘us the people.’

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ODWIN is always mindful of others throughout the year and especially during Christmas. Less fortunate families such as the one pictured show some of the items ODWIN shared to make thier season bright

Fort Worth, Texas—When ODWIN celebrates an ocassion they make sure the celebration not only involves their clients and family but also members in the Lake Com community who are less fortunate.

H.O.P.E. farm administrator Terrance helps carry Christmas gifts belonging to Como resident Zoie(l) and her family.

ODWIN director Sandra Stanley(l) extends Christmas joy with a local Como family

ODWIN volunteers prepare the goodies

Board members Sandra(l) and Diane Smith

Director Sandra Stanley andboard member Whit share a mmoment toward the end of the program

Sandra Stanley surrounded by two of her faithful board members members

OWDIN director’s two precious jewels; sandra’s daughter(r) and grandaughter(l)

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The Como Nation bleeds purple and gold. The Lion mascot basks in the bliss of a successful season of athletic acomplishment .

Fort Worth, Texas—When the Lion nations gets together it’s not just a community affair- it’s a family affair. The annual Como Lion sports banquet that was held at the Como Community Center was just that. This was the time to recognize everyone from players and coaches, to cheerleaders, fans and parents for all their effort and cooperation. This years banquet featured a few added treats for the season finale. Highlights from the playoffs and super bowl were shown while everyone dined on catering provided by Chicken Express.

Lion spirit roared throughout the center as kids display their passion for the purple and gold

Flag team hsows off the iron from thi years Flag Super Bowl.

Future spirit of the Lion Nation

This year was special because in the 17 history of this storied football program the Lions place all four teams in the big dance. Unfortunately Como split wining the bowls. Only the Lions A-team and B-team won their contest. Fortunately their were no loser on this occasion. Mainly the community won. Anytime we can come together and celebrate the future.

C-Team and coaches

Lion spirit growing up before our eyes

This years Lion 2012 B-Team Super Bowl Champs!!

Big girls don’t cry- they get excited!!

The undefeated A-Team of your 2012 Como Lions

A-Team coaches

The back bone of this years success. Need i say mo!!

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Central welcomed the entire city of Fort Worth to Will Rogers Exhibit Hall to share their goodwill

Fort Worth, Texas—This time of year many look back and reflect, thankful for having been blessed to assemble, in the traditional way, with family and friends. There are those whom are compelled to go the nontraditional route and reach out beyond the comfort familiarity and give thanks in a different way.

                                                                                                               Over 2500 dinners were served at the Amon Cater Exhiblt Hall to Ft. Worth guests.

A happy customer digs in!

Country Day High School volunteered to served those who came to be served

The folks at Central Market displayed thanks this holiday by sharing not only with their family but included all who lived in North Texas with the opportunity to have the same luxurious, memorable for those fortunate as well as the not so fortunate.

Health providers from all over were on hand to share with those who may have a need to access any of the many social services

Billed as the Feast of Sharing this was the sixth annual event held in Dallas and the 1^st in Ft. Worth. The Feast of Sharing provided free meals for, with all the trimmings, to anyone who came to Will Rogers Memorial Center, Amon G.Carter, Jr. Exhibits Building. When I say trimmings-I don’t mean dessert-I mean trimmings! Those who made their way to The Feast were also treated to musical treats during and after their meal. Arlington Heights High School Drum lime and Color Guard, FWISD Honor Choir, the Texas Girls’ Choir, Kids Who Care, Wade Hatton & the Texas Hat Band just to name a few.

North Texas should be so lucky as to have such civic-minded, business neighbors who set bar high with community generosity. Big ups to Central Market in both Dallas and Ft.Worth.  Big shout out to Country Day students who volunteered to serve the hundreds who attended the Amon Carter Exhibit feast.

E-mail:donaldmooney@hotmail.com