REUNION TEAM

LaVida Yarber: A Life of Purpose, Passion, and Possibility

"Life is a book, and I have been blessed to read many extraordinary pages."

Some people are given a map for life. Others create their own path one courageous step at a time. LaVida Yarber belongs to the latter.

Her story began on a cold December morning with an entrance as remarkable as the life that would follow. Born at home without medical assistance—just mother and daughter—her arrival seemed to foreshadow a lifetime of independence, courage, and determination.

Perhaps it was fitting that she was named LaVida, meaning The Life in the Spanish language. Few names have ever been more appropriate.

Rooted in Family, Raised by Community

Growing up in Detroit's East Side within the well-known Yarber family meant growing up surrounded by love, generosity, and high expectations.

Her mother, Eudell Yarber, was the neighborhood's anchor—a woman whose kitchen was always open and whose heart was even larger. Whether serving homemade collard greens, baking unforgettable caramel cakes, offering home remedies, or simply opening her home to anyone in need, she taught her children that true success is measured by how many lives you touch.

Those lessons became the foundation upon which LaVida built her own life.

The East Side instilled resilience, confidence, and pride. It also taught an invaluable lesson: every person has the power to choose their own direction.  LaVida chose hers.

Education: The Beginning of Endless Possibilities

Education was never optional in the Yarber household—it was expected.

Inspired by exceptional educators, including big sister, Marti, Delores Cotton and the late Hubert Stokes, LaVida discovered a love for business, mathematics, leadership, and lifelong learning. Their influence planted seeds that would continue to grow for decades.

At Southeastern High School, she immersed herself in academics, clubs, study groups, field trips, and countless activities that transformed school into an unforgettable experience filled with friendships and lifelong memories.

While many followed traditional paths through pageantry and popularity, LaVida followed something different: curiosity.

A Journey That Began With One Bus Ride

One decision would quietly change the trajectory of her life.

She joined a Black College Tour that introduced her to several prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Fisk University, Meharry Medical College, Tuskegee University, and the Atlanta University Center.

That experience expanded far beyond her educational horizons—it broadened her vision of what was possible.

Years later, that same inspiration would lead her back to Atlanta, where she enrolled as a non-traditional student at the legendary Spelman College where she studied business and finance.   Sometimes the smallest decisions become the greatest turning points.

Corporate Success with an Entrepreneurial Spirit

Following high school, LaVida entered Corporate America with confidence, accepting a position at Burroughs Corporation World Headquarters.

Within six months, she earned a promotion to Corporate Receptionist, demonstrating the professionalism, discipline, and preparation that had been cultivated throughout her education. Yet she has never been one to remain in one chapter for too long.  The entrepreneurial spirit inherited from her family soon called her toward another passion.    

The Artist Behind the Chair

While pursuing higher education, LaVida discovered that her family's gift for cosmetology could become much more than a way to support herself.  It became a career.

As a Master Braid Artisan, she built one of Atlanta's most respected professional clienteles, serving women from every walk of life.

Doctors.

Judges.

Educators.

Artists.

Musicians.

Business executives.

Community leaders.

Her artistry crossed state lines and international borders, eventually earning publication in leading beauty industry magazines and newspapers while showcasing her work at nationally recognized trade shows.

More importantly, she helped women see themselves with confidence.  Her work wasn't simply hairstyling.  It was empowerment.  

Never Finished Learning

Even after building a thriving business, LaVida once again embraced change.

She returned to school, earning her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi.

While there, another unforgettable opportunity emerged—working alongside her father and son during the historic 2008 Obama presidential campaign.  Watching history unfold as America's first Black president was elected remains one of her family's most treasured memories.  It was more than politics.  It was witnessing possibility become reality.

The Greatest Achievement

My Living Legacy, My Son

Among countless accomplishments, one stands above them all.  Motherhood.

Her son, Dr. Novien Yarber, has grown into an accomplished artist, scholar, and positive contributor to society.

Watching him succeed has become one of her life's greatest blessings.  His achievements reflect not only his own dedication but the values passed from one generation to the next.

A Legacy of Service

Throughout every season of life—student, entrepreneur, executive, volunteer, mother, traveler, mentor, and community leader—one theme has remained constant:  Service.

Whether mentoring others, advocating for professional opportunities within the beauty industry, supporting educational initiatives, volunteering in her community, training executives in international spaces, or encouraging future generations, LaVida has consistently believed in the timeless principle:  Each One Teach One.

Success means little unless it lifts someone else along the way.

A Citizen of the World

Long before travel became fashionable, LaVida embraced the world with curiosity.

Today, after filling three passports, her journeys across continents have enriched her understanding of people, cultures, history, and humanity.  Every destination has become another classroom.  Every passport stamp another chapter.  Travel has broadened not only her perspective but her purpose.  That fete includes her son as well.

TRAVEL IS INCURABLE

The Next Chapter

Retirement, for LaVida, is not the end of a career.  It is the beginning of another adventure.

Together with her son, she is launching new ventures focused on education, storytelling, community outreach, publishing, and podcasting—creating spaces where knowledge, inspiration, culture, and lived experiences can empower others.

Because after decades of learning, serving, traveling, building businesses, and embracing change, one truth remains clear:  The story isn't over.

In many ways...

The best chapters are still waiting to be written.

It isn't just a biography—it's a story of resilience, reinvention, service, education, entrepreneurship, family, and purpose. Celebrating life’s journey and legacy.

Victor Cunningham: Leadership, Service, and Speaking Truth to Power

Some people measure success by promotions, titles, or awards. Victor Cunningham believes the true measure of a life is found in how many people you help along the way.

For nearly five decades, the proud Detroit Southeastern High School graduate has quietly built a remarkable legacy—one defined by leadership in corporate America, service to his community, and an unwavering commitment to inspire others.

A member of the January Class of 1976, Cunningham’s journey after leaving Southeastern became a masterclass in determination, professionalism, and purpose.

Victor spent an extraordinary 45 years in corporate America, earning the respect of colleagues and executives alike during distinguished careers with AT&T and Comerica Bank.

An impressive 35 of those years were spent serving in middle and senior management roles at two Fortune 500 companies, where he became known for his strategic leadership, operational excellence, and ability to develop high-performing teams.

His work earned numerous recognitions throughout his career, including retirement honors celebrating decades of dedicated service and leadership.

Yet one experience stands above many others.

During a presidential visit, Cunningham was recognized for his outstanding support while working alongside White House officials and members of the United States Secret Service. The assignment required precision, professionalism, and the ability to perform under intense scrutiny—qualities that had become hallmarks of his career.

Another defining chapter came when Detroit elected Dennis Archer as mayor.

Recognizing Cunningham’s organizational expertise, Comerica Bank did something extraordinary—they loaned one of their top managers to the Archer Transition Team for three months.

Victor was entrusted with establishing the new administration’s operational infrastructure, overseeing the purchasing of office equipment, supplies, furniture, rentals, and countless logistical needs necessary to launch an entirely new city administration.

“It was a very good experience,” Cunningham recalls, reflecting on an opportunity that allowed him to serve both his employer and his hometown simultaneously.

While his professional accomplishments are impressive, Victor would tell you his greatest work has happened away from the boardroom.

Volunteerism has been woven into nearly every chapter of his life.

Among the organizations closest to his heart has been the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, where his dedication to mentoring young people earned him recognition as an Outstanding Volunteer.

He also invested countless hours mentoring middle school boys through Detroit Compact, helping young men navigate adolescence while encouraging them to dream beyond their circumstances.

For Cunningham, mentoring was never simply about giving advice.

It was about giving hope.

His philosophy has always been simple: when you lift someone else, everyone rises.

Retirement didn’t slow Victor Cunningham down.

Instead, it opened the door to an entirely new chapter.

An accomplished author, Cunningham has written five motivational books, all available through his website, www.vicinspire.com, and on Amazon.

Ironically, his writing journey began decades earlier.

He authored his first two books in 1990 and 1993 before stepping away from writing while focusing on career and family responsibilities.

More than thirty years later, he returned to the craft with renewed passion.

Since 2024, he has published several new works, each centered on motivation, personal growth, leadership, and overcoming life’s obstacles. Even his books touching on politics carry messages designed to encourage readers rather than divide them.

And he’s not finished.

Cunningham is already hard at work on another manuscript, one he believes will become his best work yet.

“The past couple years of writing has allowed me to practice, so to speak,” he says. “Now I’m ready to rock it out.”

Photographs collected over the years tell the story of a man who embraced every season of life.

One image captures a young Victor celebrating his 30th birthday from his office at Comerica Bank, while another shows him laughing at home with family and friends during the same milestone year.

There’s a photograph from 1978, dressed for a night out with friends, enjoying life as a young professional.

Another places him in the middle of Times Square in 1993, soaking in the energy of New York City.

A graduation portrait reminds everyone where the journey began.

And another photograph captures him seated only rows away from President Barack Obama during a presidential visit to Warren, Michigan—a reminder that extraordinary moments often come to those who consistently prepare themselves through years of dedication and excellence.

Each image represents more than a moment.

Together, they tell the story of a life intentionally lived.

Today, Victor Cunningham continues encouraging others through his writing, speaking, mentoring, and community involvement.

His mission has never changed.

“My goal has always been to help and uplift those around me,” Cunningham says, “and to always speak truth to power when I feel things are not right.”

It is a philosophy that has guided every stage of his life—from corporate boardrooms and city government to classrooms, community organizations, and the pages of his books.

For the students who once walked the halls of Detroit Southeastern High School, Victor Cunningham represents what is possible when talent is matched with integrity, success is paired with service, and leadership is driven by purpose.

His story reminds us that true excellence is not simply about reaching the top.

It is about reaching back to help someone else climb.

Victor Cunningham—a proud Jungaleer, an accomplished executive, a dedicated mentor, an inspiring author, and a lifelong example of Southeastern Excellence.

Beverly Gatewood: Service to Country and Community

Some lives are defined by the careers people choose.

Others are defined by the people they choose to serve.

For Beverly Gatewood, service has never been just a profession—it has been a lifelong calling.

A proud graduate of Detroit Southeastern High School’s January Class of 1976, Gatewood has spent her life answering that call with discipline, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

From the classrooms of Southeastern to military installations around the world, and later through a distinguished career with one of America’s premier law enforcement agencies, Beverly’s journey is a powerful example of leadership, sacrifice, and excellence.

After graduating from Detroit Southeastern High School, Beverly chose a path that few have the courage to pursue.

She enlisted in the United States military, committing herself to defending the nation and serving something greater than herself.

Her military career carried her across the globe, exposing her to diverse cultures, challenging assignments, and experiences that shaped both her professionally and personally.

Among the highlights of her military service was an assignment at one of the most recognized buildings in the world—the Pentagon.

Working at the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense required professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. It was a fitting assignment for someone whose career would continue to be marked by responsibility and trust.

Whether serving overseas or at the nation’s military headquarters, Beverly represented Detroit, her family, and her alma mater with distinction.

For many, retirement from military service marks the end of a career dedicated to public service.

For Beverly Gatewood, it simply marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Following her military career, she joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation, continuing her commitment to protecting the American people.

As an FBI professional, Beverly became part of one of the world’s most respected law enforcement organizations, supporting the Bureau’s mission to uphold the Constitution, protect national security, and pursue justice.

Her work demanded discretion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to integrity—qualities that had already become second nature through years of military service.

After an accomplished career with the FBI, Beverly retired knowing she had spent decades serving her country with honor in two of its most respected institutions.

Today, Beverly proudly calls Florida home.

Yet despite the miles between her current home and the city where her journey began, Detroit continues to hold a special place in her heart.

Her connection to Detroit Southeastern High School remains strong.

Like so many Jungaleers, she understands that Southeastern was more than a school.

It was a community that instilled values of hard work, resilience, responsibility, and pride.

Those lessons became the foundation upon which she built an extraordinary life.

As classmates prepare to celebrate another reunion, Beverly’s excitement is unmistakable.

With the same warmth and enthusiasm that has always characterized her, she has a simple message for her fellow classmates:

“Jungaleers, Class of ‘76, it’s time for us to do it again! We’re looking forward to seeing you at the reunion. Holla!”

It is more than an invitation.

It is a reminder that while careers may take us around the world, the friendships formed during our school years continue to connect us decades later.

Beverly Gatewood’s story is one of quiet strength.

She chose service over recognition.

Duty over applause.

Commitment over convenience.

She served her nation in uniform.

She continued serving through one of America’s premier federal law enforcement agencies.

She built a life centered on integrity, discipline, and purpose.

Her journey reminds us that the true measure of success is not found in titles alone, but in the lives we touch and the responsibilities we faithfully fulfill.

Detroit Southeastern High School produced generations of graduates who left their mark on the world.

Beverly Gatewood is proudly among them.

She represents the very best of the Jungaleer tradition—a woman of courage, character, and commitment whose life stands as an inspiration to those who follow.

Beverly Gatewood—a proud Jungaleer, a military veteran, a retired FBI professional, and an enduring example of Southeastern Excellence.

Michael Milton: Service, Leadership, and Patriotism

Long before he would wear the uniform of a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, Michael Milton was simply a young man walking the halls of Detroit Southeastern High School with a dream.

A photograph from his youth captures him proudly wearing a Navy uniform, never realizing it would foreshadow the extraordinary life that awaited him.

For Michael, that childhood dream became a lifelong mission.

A proud graduate of Detroit Southeastern High School’s January Class of 1976, Milton has devoted more than 45 years to serving the United States—first in uniform, then as a civilian supporting America’s military readiness.

His story is one of technical excellence, steadfast leadership, and an unwavering commitment to those who defend our nation.

Following graduation from Southeastern, Michael enlisted in the United States Navy, beginning a career that would span more than two decades.

What started with the challenges of boot camp quickly evolved into a distinguished military career built on discipline, precision, and leadership.

As an Aviation Electronics Technician, Michael developed expertise in one of the Navy’s most demanding technical fields.

His responsibilities required far more than repairing equipment.

He became an expert in testing, troubleshooting, and repairing sophisticated avionics systems down to the component level—work that directly affected the safety of flight crews and the operational readiness of naval aircraft.

His technical ability and leadership eventually earned him promotion to Chief Petty Officer, one of the Navy’s most respected enlisted ranks.

As an Avionics Maintenance Chief, Michael oversaw aircraft maintenance operations, supervised personnel, and ensured aircraft remained mission-ready in challenging operational environments.

Every aircraft cleared for flight represented lives entrusted to the quality of his work and the professionalism of the sailors he led.

Military service often places individuals at the center of history, and Michael Milton experienced some of the Navy’s most solemn moments.

In May 1987, tragedy struck when the guided missile frigate USS Stark was attacked in the Persian Gulf, claiming the lives of 37 sailors.

Michael participated in honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the memorial services that followed, standing alongside fellow service members as the Navy mourned one of its darkest days.

Just two years later, another heartbreaking tragedy unfolded aboard the battleship USS Iowa, when a devastating gun turret explosion claimed the lives of 47 sailors during a training exercise.

Again, Michael was among those who participated in honoring the fallen, paying tribute to brothers-in-arms whose sacrifice would never be forgotten.

Experiences like these reinforced the true meaning of military service—not only celebrating victories, but standing together during moments of profound loss.

When Michael retired from the Navy in 2002, his commitment to serving America’s military did not end.

Instead, it entered a new phase.

He joined the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support, where he continues to play an important role in ensuring America’s warfighters receive the highest quality uniforms and equipment.

As a Product Specialist, Michael oversees compliance with technical specifications and quality standards for military uniforms and related equipment used throughout the armed forces.

His work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is felt by every service member who relies on dependable equipment while serving around the world.

One particularly memorable assignment came during the historic 2008 inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Michael helped resolve a critical fabric issue involving ceremonial uniforms worn by the United States Army Military District of Washington, ensuring that members of the military presented themselves with the professionalism expected during one of the nation’s most significant events.

It was another reminder that excellence often happens quietly, behind the scenes, through the work of dedicated professionals committed to getting every detail right.

Away from work, Michael enjoys pursuits that reflect the same patience and precision that defined his military career.

He has developed a passion for restoring antique furniture, carefully bringing new life to treasured pieces from the past.

He also enjoys modifying sports cars for high-performance applications, combining engineering, craftsmanship, and creativity to produce machines that perform at their very best.

Whether restoring furniture or enhancing an automobile, Michael approaches every project with the same attention to detail that made him successful throughout his Navy and civilian careers.

Michael Milton’s career has been built on a simple principle: serve with excellence.

From the flight decks of naval aviation to the offices of the Defense Logistics Agency, he has spent more than four decades ensuring others have the tools, equipment, and leadership necessary to succeed.

His accomplishments are measured not only in years of service, but in the countless lives protected by aircraft he helped maintain, sailors he mentored, and military personnel equipped through his continued work with the Department of Defense.

Detroit Southeastern High School has produced graduates who have excelled in every field imaginable.

Michael Milton proudly stands among them.

His life reminds us that patriotism is not measured only in moments of heroism, but in decades of faithful service, quiet professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to something greater than oneself.

More than 45 years after leaving the halls of Southeastern, Michael Milton continues to embody the values that define true leadership—integrity, excellence, humility, and service.

Michael Milton—a proud Jungaleer, a retired United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, a dedicated public servant, and an enduring example of Southeastern Excellence.

Constance Davis: The Queen Who Raised Kings

For Constance Davis, the greatest achievement of her remarkable life has never been the crowns she wore, the careers she built, or even the famous son she raised.

Her greatest accomplishment has been the young men she helped become successful adults.

“I raised these boys,” Connie says with unmistakable pride. “They were my neighbors, my nephews, my family. I raised ten young men.”

It was never an easy task, but she had only three rules.

No C’s. Do your chores. Finish college—not just high school.

Those simple expectations became the blueprint for lives filled with success.

A proud graduate of Detroit Southeastern High School’s June Class of 1976, Constance Davis has spent her entire life proving that real leadership begins at home.

Long before she became a mentor, author, counselor, evangelist, and community leader, Connie was one of Southeastern’s brightest stars.

She was crowned Homecoming Queen, admired not only for her beauty but also for her warmth, confidence, and vibrant personality.

She attended the prestigious Barbizon Modeling and Acting School, where she refined the grace and poise that had already become her trademark.

Her talents extended to the stage as well.

While at Southeastern, Connie appeared in numerous theatrical productions, including Cinderella and The Devil Made Me Do It, captivating audiences with performances that hinted at a future filled with limitless possibilities.

Photographs from those years tell the story of a young woman full of promise—from a smiling 15-year-old attending a friend’s Sweet 16 celebration to elegant modeling photographs taken shortly after graduation.

Life seemed to offer endless opportunities.

And Connie embraced every one of them.

After high school, Connie attended Eastern Michigan University, continuing her education while discovering new opportunities.

Although life eventually led her in another direction before completing her degree, her pursuit of learning never stopped.

Determined to build a career while setting an example for the young people watching her, Connie enrolled at the Michigan Paralegal Institute.

She didn’t simply graduate.

She finished as Salutatorian of her class.

Her nephews and the young men she was raising watched every step.

“They wanted to see my papers,” Connie laughs.

She had spent years demanding excellence from them.

Now they expected nothing less from her.

“I told Anthony and my nephews, ‘No C’s.’”

She made sure she lived by the same standard she expected from everyone else.

And yes—she jokingly reminds people—

“Don’t make me cite a case on you!”

Most mothers devote themselves to raising their own children.

Connie did that—and so much more.

She became a surrogate mother to neighborhood boys, her nephews, friends of the family, and countless young men who needed guidance, discipline, encouragement, and love.

In all, she proudly says she helped raise ten young men.

Education came first.

Character came second.

Excuses came last.

Those boys learned quickly that under Connie’s roof, average was never acceptable.

Her expectations were high because she believed they were capable of greatness.

Many proved her right.

Among the young men shaped by Connie’s determination was her only son—Anthony “Spice” Adams.

Long before America knew him as a beloved NFL defensive tackle, television personality, comedian, actor, and social media sensation, he was simply Anthony.

And according to his mother…

He wanted to play basketball.

There was only one problem.

He was bigger than everyone else.

“The kids teased him because of his size,” Connie recalls.

Eventually she became concerned for the safety of the other children.

“One day he chest-bumped a kid and the boy flew underneath the bleachers!”

She laughs at the memory before adding,

“I thought he was going to hurt somebody. I encouraged him not to play.”

Instead, football found Anthony.

It proved to be the perfect fit.

After starring at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School in Detroit and later at Penn State University, Anthony was selected 57th overall in the second round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

“When they called his name,” Connie remembers, “my mouth dropped.”

Anthony would spend four seasons with the 49ers before becoming one of the most beloved players in Chicago Bears history during a nine-year NFL career.

Yet even after football, basketball remained unfinished business.

Anthony created the hilarious character Cream E. Biggums—an overconfident basketball player who somehow manages to miss nearly every shot.

The character became an internet sensation.

Cream has appeared with the Harlem Globetrotters, played in celebrity basketball games across the country, amassed hundreds of thousands of social media followers, and even helped Anthony earn a spot on Shaquille O’Neal’s podcast.

Connie still watches.

And she still can’t help herself.

“I get mad!” she laughs.

“I tell him, ‘Anthony, show them you can really play!’”

His answer never changes.

“No, Ma.”

Watching children struggle with teasing inspired another chapter in Connie’s life.

In 2018, she authored the children’s anti-bullying book,

Don’t Give Up: A Cream E. Biggums Story.

The book uses Anthony’s beloved character to teach children an important lesson:

Never allow other people’s opinions to determine your future.

Dream anyway.

Try anyway.

Believe anyway.

For Connie, encouraging children has always been far more important than entertaining them.

Throughout her life, Connie has worn many hats.

She became a Certified Addiction Counselor, helping individuals rebuild their lives.

She worked as a chef for professional athletes, preparing meals for elite performers.

She serves as Midwest Regional Coordinator for the Professional Football Players Mothers Association, where she also chaired the organization’s 2026 national conference and is seeking election as Second Vice President.

For more than 33 years, she has faithfully served as a member of Second Ebenezer Church, where she continues her ministry as an Evangelist.

Ask Connie which accomplishment matters most, however, and the answer comes quickly.

Being a grandmother.

Nothing brings her greater joy than spending time with her son, Anthony, his wife, and her grandchildren.

“My favorite pastime is spending time with my family,” she says.

“They are my greatest blessing.”

Constance Davis has spent a lifetime encouraging others to become more than they imagined possible.

She challenged children to make better grades.

She counseled people battling addiction.

She inspired young readers through her writing.

She supported professional athletes and their families.

She served her church.

She raised leaders.

And through it all, she never stopped believing that every child deserves someone who refuses to let them settle for less than their best.

Detroit Southeastern High School has produced countless graduates who have excelled in their chosen professions.

Constance Davis reminds us that perhaps the greatest profession of all is raising people who will change the world.

Her life proves that queens don’t simply wear crowns.

Sometimes they wear aprons, graduation robes, church hats, and the loving smile of a woman who believed in children long before they believed in themselves.

Constance Davis—a Homecoming Queen, educator, counselor, evangelist, author, proud mother, devoted grandmother, and a lifelong example of Southeastern Excellence.

Ruby Goodner Henley: A Woman Who refused

to Give Up.

Success doesn’t always begin with opportunity.

Sometimes it begins with adversity.

For Ruby Goodner Henley, success was never measured by how easy life became. It was measured by how many times she chose to keep going when every reason existed to quit.

Today, she is an educator, mentor, community servant, Lupus warrior, devoted mother and grandmother, and a respected member of the Detroit Public Schools community.

But in the summer of 1976, she was a 17-year-old homeless teenage mother determined to earn a high school diploma.

Her story is one of the most inspiring to come from the halls of Detroit Southeastern High School.

Before life took an unexpected turn, Ruby was one of Southeastern’s most active student leaders.

She wasn’t simply involved.

She helped lead the school.

“I was the president of Student Council, I was the student representative for Black College Night, I was a cheerleader too… and a modern dancer at Southeastern.”

She was the kind of student teachers counted on and classmates admired.

One accomplishment still makes her smile today.

As Student Council president, she convinced school leaders to place purple trash receptacles throughout the campus.

“I hated litter,” she recalls. “I convinced everybody that we should get some garbage cans, so we had them purple and they put them all around the school.”

That commitment to making her community better has never left her.

Even today, she laughs that litter still bothers her so much that her own children learned early never to throw paper on the ground.

Then, just months before graduation, everything changed.

Ruby became pregnant.

At a time when many young women simply disappeared from school, she faced criticism, embarrassment, and uncertainty.

“Ms. Montgomery and the vice principal… were pretty upset at me,” Ruby remembers. “So we worked it out so I could take a leave from school and come back. That’s why I didn’t graduate in June.”

Her life had taken a direction she never expected.

“I had to leave. I was 17… I had a baby.”

Then things became even more difficult.

She found herself homeless.

With nowhere else to go, Ruby moved in with her best friend and her friend’s mother.

She had no money.

No certainty.

Only determination.

“I ended up living with my best friend and her mother in order to graduate. I had to walk to Southeastern with my baby, drop my baby off, then walk back to Southeastern to finish high school.”

Every day was a test of endurance.

Every day she chose education over excuses.

One day, discouraged by everything she was facing, Ruby considered giving up.

A fellow student challenged her to think differently.

“I stayed home for one day and I said, ‘You know what? She’s right. I’m not giving up.’ And I didn’t.”

In August 1976, while many of her classmates had already celebrated graduation months earlier, Ruby proudly received her diploma.

Her infant son was there.

“My baby… he was at my graduation.”

It remains one of the proudest moments of her life.

Ruby refused to allow one mistake to define her future.

After graduation she enrolled at Detroit Business Institute while working to support her family.

Her first job in hospitality wasn’t glamorous.

She was hired as a housekeeper.

Three weeks later, corporate executives visited the hotel.

She thought she was in trouble.

Instead, they promoted her.

That promotion launched a remarkable career.

Housekeeper.

Head Housekeeper.

Desk Clerk.

Night Auditor.

Manager on Duty.

Corporate Trainer.

She eventually trained managers across multiple states, consistently earning outstanding inspection scores while helping hotels improve their operations.

Although she encountered discrimination and barriers that often prevented African Americans from advancing into ownership and senior leadership, Ruby never allowed bitterness to replace determination.

She simply kept working harder.

“My faith kept me going… and my children.”

Professional success was only part of Ruby’s journey.

She dedicated herself to serving others.

Over the years she received numerous honors recognizing her commitment to education, community service, church leadership, and volunteerism.

Among the recognitions she treasures most is a letter from the White House acknowledging her volunteer work through Plymouth Educational Center’s Grandparents Program.

As a classroom volunteer, Ruby became “Grandma Ruby” to countless children, helping them improve reading, math, and social skills while providing encouragement that extended far beyond academics.

She also became an instructor, church leader, hospitality volunteer, and an outspoken advocate for Lupus awareness after battling the disease herself.

Rather than allowing illness to define her, Ruby used her experience to encourage others facing their own health challenges.

Life would test Ruby again in the most heartbreaking way imaginable.

Her only son, Del Rico Henley, was tragically killed in an act of gun violence.

The loss nearly broke her.

Yet even through unimaginable grief, Ruby chose forgiveness over hatred and faith over despair.

She often speaks about the letters she wrote to God during the darkest days of her life.

She filled page after page asking one question.

“Why?”

Then another.

“Help me.”

And another.

“Guide me.”

Looking back today, she believes every one of those prayers was answered.

Instead of allowing tragedy to consume her, Ruby became even more determined to help others find hope.

Today, Ruby continues serving children in Detroit Public Schools, working with preschool students to teach lessons many people take for granted.

She helps children learn social skills.

How to sit at a table.

How to use good manners.

How to work together.

How to finish what they start.

But perhaps most importantly, she teaches them they matter.

“I try to be a beacon of hope for all the kids in the school because some kids are in bad situations. When I see somebody doing something really exceptional or really trying, I give them a little gift card and a note thanking them for being special.”

It is a small gesture.

But Ruby knows firsthand how one encouraging word can change a life.

When asked what Detroit Southeastern High School means to her, Ruby doesn’t hesitate.

She remembers the teachers who believed in her—especially Mr. Green, whose business classes helped prepare her for a successful management career.

“I took a business curriculum… Mr. Green… he really poured into me.”

She laughs while reflecting on her classmates.

“We Jungaleers… we had to walk through the jungle to make it.”

For Ruby, those words carry a deeper meaning.

She truly did walk through the jungle.

Teen pregnancy.

Homelessness.

Financial hardship.

Discrimination.

Lupus.

The murder of her only son.

And still…

She never quit.

Her message to anyone facing adversity is simple and powerful:

“No matter what happens in life, don’t give up. Hold on to God’s unchanging hand.”

Detroit Southeastern High School has produced doctors, executives, military leaders, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

Ruby Goodner Henley reminds us that success is not measured only by positions held or awards received.

Sometimes success is simply refusing to let life’s hardest moments have the final word.

Her journey proves that one setback does not determine an entire future.

It simply becomes the first chapter of an extraordinary story.

Ruby Goodner Henley—a proud Jungaleer, educator, mentor, Lupus warrior, woman of faith, and a living example of Southeastern Excellence.

Calvin Harris: A Life Built on Faith, Family, and Achievement.

Calvin Harris's impact is evident for the lives he touched, the rooms he filled with laughter and the strength he showed in overcoming where he started.

Calvin Lewis Harris is a proud graduate of Detroit Southeastern High School’s June Class of 1976, Calvin has built a life defined by education, public service, family, faith and a personality as memorable as his journey.

His story began in Detroit, where life was not always easy.

“We unfortunately grew up with rats in the house, but we had cats,” Calvin once recalled in an award-winning speech. “Not that we liked cats, but they were one of our best defenses for keeping the rats at bay.”

Those humble beginnings did not limit his imagination.

Instead, they helped shape a young man determined to use his voice, pursue an education and build a better future.

Even as a student, Calvin stood out.

He possessed a natural gift for public speaking and earned top honors at the Detroit Public Schools Forensic Festival. His success led to an appearance on Detroit television station WJBK-TV Channel 2, giving him an early opportunity to display the confidence and communication skills that would later serve him throughout his life.

Calvin also became Southeastern High School’s champion—and later a district champion—in the American Legion Oratorical Contest.

Those achievements were early signs of his ability to command a room, organize his thoughts and connect with an audience.

Southeastern also helped introduce him to another lifelong passion: cooking.

He took a cooking class while attending the school, building on lessons his mother had begun teaching him when he was just 14 years old.

His high school years also produced memories that remained with him for decades, including attending the prom with Martie Jean Price.

For Calvin, Southeastern was not merely where he earned a diploma.

It was where he found his voice, strengthened his confidence and began discovering the interests that would remain part of his identity throughout adulthood.

After graduating in 1976, Calvin enrolled at Oakland University.

He lived on campus for four years and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 1981.

The experience represented a significant achievement for a young man who had come from modest circumstances.

It also gave him the academic background to pursue a career centered on communication, leadership and service.

His degree would become one part of a much larger education—one shaped not only in classrooms, but through decades of working with young people facing difficult circumstances.

Calvin devoted much of his professional life to youth services and public education.

Early in his career, he worked at St. Francis Home for Boys, Aurora Mental Health Hospital and St. Peter’s Home for Boys.

Those positions placed him alongside young people dealing with behavioral, emotional and family challenges. The work required patience, firmness, compassion and the ability to see potential in young men who were often judged only by their mistakes.

In 1985, Calvin accepted one of his most demanding assignments when he became an intensive probation officer in the juvenile court system.

The role required him to work with young offenders and families navigating the consequences of difficult choices.

It was not easy work.

He was expected to enforce accountability while helping young people understand that their present circumstances did not have to become their permanent identity.

Calvin’s own journey gave him a unique perspective.

He knew what it meant to grow up without every advantage.

He also knew that education, discipline and the presence of caring adults could change the direction of a young person’s life.

In 1999, he joined the Detroit Board of Education as a truant officer.

For the next two decades, he worked to reconnect students with their education, addressing chronic absenteeism and helping young people return to school.

A truant officer’s work often goes far beyond checking attendance records.

It requires understanding what may be happening inside a child’s home, identifying barriers to education and helping families recognize the long-term consequences of a student falling behind.

Calvin remained in that role until retiring in 2019, completing nearly four decades of work in youth services, juvenile justice and education.

While his professional life was devoted to helping young people, Calvin’s greatest pride came from his own family.

He and Gina Goodman, a 1977 graduate of Southeastern High School, welcomed two children: Calisha in 1985 and Marcus in 1989.

His connection with another Jungaleer made family life part of the broader Southeastern story.

Calvin later became the proud grandfather of Zamariah and Lorenzo.

He has always considered his extended family among his greatest blessings, including his brothers, sister, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He also treasures the friends who became family—men he calls genuine “brothers from another mother” and women he considers sisters.

Those bonds became especially meaningful following the death of one of his closest friends, a man he considered a brother and who served as the godfather of his son.

The loss left a lasting void.

Yet Calvin remains grateful for the years of friendship they shared and for the memories that continue to keep that bond alive.

He married Stephanie in 2002. The marriage ended in divorce in 2018.

Calvin continues to express respect for the institution of marriage while also acknowledging that the divorce ultimately became a positive turning point in his own life.

His willingness to speak honestly about both the joy and pain of relationships reflects the same directness that has characterized him since his days as a student speaker.

Calvin’s life was influenced not only by relatives and teachers, but by members of the neighborhood who stepped into important roles.

Two local liquor store owners, Bob and Merl, became surrogate fathers to him.

Their support helped guide him during his younger years and showed him that fatherhood and mentorship are not always defined by blood.

Those relationships reinforced a lesson Calvin later carried into his work with boys and young men: one caring adult can alter the course of a child’s life.

Calvin eventually became that adult for many others.

Retirement did not slow Calvin down.

Today, he supplements his Social Security and retirement income by buying and selling used appliances throughout the Detroit area.

The work reflects his practical nature, entrepreneurial spirit and ability to recognize value in things others may overlook.

His personal interests reveal an even more colorful side of his personality.

Calvin is an accomplished cook and baker who has never forgotten the lessons his mother began teaching him at age 14.

His dedication to cooking is reflected in a kitchen equipped with four ovens—a setup that makes it clear he takes food preparation seriously.

For Calvin, cooking is more than a hobby.

It is a way to express love, bring people together and preserve family traditions.

He is also a breeder of English Mastiffs, dogs known for their enormous size and gentle nature.

Calvin proudly points out that they are among the largest dogs in the world.

His appreciation for big dogs seems perfectly suited to his own larger-than-life personality.

He is an avid weightlifter, a collector and enthusiast of Western boots, and a highly skilled Bid Whist player.

Calvin does not merely claim to be good at the game.

He describes himself as a “super premium” player—and has league championships to support the claim.

Whether lifting weights, tending to his dogs, preparing meals or sitting at a card table, Calvin brings energy, confidence and enthusiasm to everything he does.

One of Calvin’s most meaningful experiences came when he traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Million Man March.

The historic gathering strengthened his sense of identity, responsibility and purpose.

For a man who had spent much of his career guiding young people, the march reinforced the importance of brotherhood, accountability and community leadership.

Those themes had already been present throughout his life.

They were evident in the neighborhood men who helped raise him, in his work with boys’ homes, in juvenile probation, in the Detroit schools and in the relationships he maintained with family and friends.

At the center of Calvin’s life is his faith.

He considers his love for God—and the knowledge that God loves him—to be the greatest of all his blessings.

That faith has sustained him through poverty, career challenges, the end of a marriage and the loss of a beloved friend.

It has also helped him remain grateful.

Calvin sees his family, education, career, friendships and even his many hobbies as evidence of a life filled with grace.

He does not pretend that every chapter has been easy.

Instead, he chooses to recognize that every chapter helped shape the man he became.

Calvin Lewis Harris represents a kind of excellence that cannot be measured by a single title.

It is found in the young people he guided.

It is reflected in the students he helped return to school.

It is seen in the family he loves, the friendships he honors and the faith that continues to ground him.

His story reminds us that humble beginnings do not have to dictate the limits of a life.

A boy who once spoke about rats in the house grew into an award-winning speaker, college graduate, juvenile probation officer, educator, father, grandfather, entrepreneur and mentor.

He also became a man who never lost his humor, his appetite for life or his commitment to the people around him.

Calvin Lewis Harris remains proud of where he came from and grateful for the school that helped prepare him for the journey.

Calvin Lewis Harris—a proud graduate of Detroit Southeastern High School’s June Class of 1976 and another enduring example of Southeastern Excellence.

Angela "Angie" Fluellin: A Lifetime of Caring for Others.

Some people spend their careers searching for purpose.

Angela “Angie” Fluellin found hers in serving others.

A proud graduate of Detroit Southeastern High School’s June Class of 1976, Angie built a life centered on compassion, family, and quiet dedication to people in need.

Her journey took her from the halls of Southeastern to Oakland University, from Detroit to Rome, New York, and eventually back home, where she spent decades working in health and human services.

Through every stage of life, Angie remained committed to one simple principle: help people where they are.

At Southeastern, Angie was known for her warm smile, her natural charm, and the beautiful Afro that became part of her signature style.

She also served as the class historian, helping preserve the memories and experiences of her fellow Jungaleers.

That role was especially fitting for someone who values relationships and the people who helped shape her life.

Her graduation photograph captures a young woman full of promise, preparing to begin a journey that would eventually lead her into a career of service.

Following graduation, Angie attended Oakland University.

Her college experience was interrupted when marriage led her to Rome, New York, where she lived for five years.

It was there that she and her husband began building a family and raising their two sons.

Photographs from those years show Angie with her boys, marking an important chapter in her life as a young wife and mother living away from Detroit.

Although New York became home for a time, Detroit remained part of her identity.

After five years, Angie returned to the city where her story began.

Back in Detroit, Angie entered the field that would define her professional life.

She began working at the Coalition on Temporary Shelter, better known as COTS.

As a floor monitor, she worked directly with individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The job required patience, empathy, firmness, and the ability to remain calm during difficult circumstances.

For five years, Angie helped provide structure, support, and a sense of dignity to people navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives.

The work was not glamorous, but it mattered.

For Angie, helping someone feel safe, respected, or simply seen was enough reason to keep showing up.

Angie later earned a certification in home health care and continued expanding her skills.

She joined the Neighborhood Service Organization, commonly known as NSO, where she served as an office manager for 17 years.

In that role, Angie became an important point of connection for countless individuals and families seeking assistance.

She helped people navigate services, find resources, and receive the support they needed.

Her work placed her at the center of an organization dedicated to improving lives across Detroit.

Photographs of Angie wearing an orange vest at NSO reflect more than a job.

They represent nearly two decades of steady, dependable service to the community.

As an office manager, she was expected to keep operations moving smoothly, support staff, communicate with clients, and make sure people were treated with professionalism and care.

Angie’s calm personality and concern for others made her well suited for the work.

After her years at NSO, Angie joined Spectrum Human Services as a direct care worker.

The position brought her even closer to the people she served.

Direct care work requires compassion, attentiveness, and the willingness to assist individuals with daily needs while preserving their independence and dignity.

Angie approached the job with the same patience and consistency that had defined her earlier career.

She remained with Spectrum until retirement.

Yet retirement did not fully remove her from the work she loved.

Today, Angie continues serving part-time as a direct care worker.

For her, helping people has never been simply a paycheck or professional title.

It is part of who she is.

While Angie devoted her career to helping others, her family has always remained at the center of her life.

She is the proud mother of two sons.

Each son later had a son of his own, making Angie the grandmother of two grandsons.

Her family photographs tell the story of a woman who treasures the generations that came after her.

One picture captures Angie with her oldest son and grandson in blue.

Another shows her son wearing a hat during one of the family’s first outings after returning to Detroit.

These images reflect the role Angie values most—not office manager, direct care worker, or community servant, but mother and grandmother.

Her family remains one of her greatest sources of joy.

Outside of work and family, Angie enjoys cooking and caring for her plants.

And she has plenty of them.

Her love for plants seems perfectly suited to her personality.

They require patience.

They require attention.

They grow when someone consistently cares for them.

The same qualities can be seen throughout Angie’s life.

She nurtured her children.

She supported families experiencing homelessness.

She connected people with community resources.

She cared for individuals who depended on her.

Whether tending to a plant, preparing a meal, or helping someone through a difficult day, Angie has always understood that small acts of care can make a lasting difference.

Angie’s story is not one of seeking the spotlight.

It is the story of a woman who consistently served behind the scenes.

She was the person who answered the phone.

The person who kept an office organized.

The person who listened when someone needed help.

The person who helped maintain order inside a shelter.

The person who provided direct care with patience and dignity.

Her work may not always have been highly visible, but its impact was real.

For decades, Angie helped strengthen the very systems designed to support Detroit’s most vulnerable residents.

She gave stability to organizations and comfort to people who needed both.

Angela “Angie” Fluellin represents a form of excellence rooted in service.

After leaving Southeastern, she pursued higher education, built a family, returned home, and devoted her professional life to helping others.

Her career included five years at the Coalition on Temporary Shelter, 17 years with the Neighborhood Service Organization, and continued service with Spectrum Human Services.

Even after retirement, she remained connected to direct care work because her heart for people never retired.

Angie’s life reminds us that true success does not always come with applause.

Sometimes it looks like decades of dependable service.

Sometimes it is found in the families helped, the clients encouraged, the children raised, and the plants lovingly tended.

Angela “Angie” Fluellin is a quiet servant, devoted mother, proud grandmother, and Southeastern original.

Angela “Angie” Fluellin—a proud member of Detroit Southeastern High School’s June Class of 1976 and another enduring example of Southeastern Excellence.

Dwight "Art" Franklin: The Homecoming King Who Became A Primetime News Pioneer.

Some people build successful careers.

Others make history.

For Dwight “Art” Franklin, the journey from the halls of Detroit Southeastern High School to television newsrooms across the nation became a story of breaking barriers, pursuing excellence and using his influence to serve others.

A proud member of Southeastern High School’s June Class of 1976, Art became a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, entrepreneur, actor, community leader and television pioneer whose broadcasting career spanned nearly four decades.

Along the way, he covered wars, terrorist attacks, presidents, natural disasters and some of the most consequential events of his generation.

Yet despite more than 100 journalism and community awards, Art says the foundation of everything he achieved was established long before television cameras entered his life.

It began in Detroit, with his mother, Annie Franklin, and the values reinforced at Southeastern High School.

Art was already demonstrating leadership and versatility during his years at Southeastern.

He was crowned Homecoming King, participated in numerous student organizations and was one of only 33 students selected for the school’s prestigious Biomedical Careers curriculum.

The program was designed for students interested in medicine and science, but Art’s future would ultimately lead him in another direction.

He discovered an ability to communicate, connect with people and command attention—qualities that would later become essential to his career as a broadcaster.

Southeastern gave him the academic foundation, confidence and discipline to imagine possibilities well beyond the neighborhood where he grew up.

After graduation, Art attended the University of Michigan, gaining his Bachelor of Arts Degree beginning the next chapter in a journey that would eventually take him into homes in several American television and radio markets.

Art’s media career did not begin beneath the bright lights of a major television news set.

He learned broadcasting from the ground up.

He worked as a radio announcer, radio news director, production manager, television producer, talk-show host and public affairs host.

Those early experiences taught him how every part of a broadcast operation worked—from writing and producing to interviewing, reporting and anchoring.

His first television job came at WILX-TV, the NBC affiliate in Lansing, Michigan.

He began as the station’s business reporter before moving into political coverage as the state capital reporter. His performance eventually earned him a position as weekend anchor.

Photographs from his final day at WILX capture a young journalist preparing to leave Michigan for a larger opportunity and the next major step in his career. 

In 1986, Art was recruited by WAVY-TV 10, the NBC affiliate in Norfolk, Virginia, to become the station’s military affairs correspondent, backup news anchor and host of the television talk show The Bottom Line.

While living in Norfolk, Art also expanded his broadcasting experience through radio. He became the news director and morning news anchor at WOWI-FM, where he oversaw the station’s news operation and delivered news to listeners throughout the Hampton Roads area.

He also hosted Front Page, a two-hour radio talk show that allowed him to explore news, politics and community issues in greater depth while engaging directly with listeners.

His work at WAVY-TV and WOWI-FM demonstrated his versatility as a journalist. He moved comfortably between television reporting, anchoring, news management and long-form talk programming.

The Norfolk assignment placed him near one of the nation’s largest concentrations of military installations and personnel. As WAVY-TV’s military affairs correspondent, Art reported on the lives of service members, military families and the operations supporting America’s national defense.

The experience prepared him for some of the most demanding international assignments of his career and helped establish the broad journalistic foundation that would later carry him into major television markets..

During his career, he reported from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Among his most significant assignments was covering the Persian Gulf War.

Reporting from the region required courage, preparation and the ability to explain complex military developments to viewers back home.

It was one of several occasions when Art found himself positioned at the center of history.

He later covered the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.

He reported from the site as the nation attempted to understand the enormity of the attacks and the human loss that followed.

Art also covered the terrorist bombing during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, major tornadoes and presidential visits following natural disasters.

Throughout his career, he reported on several United States presidents, including Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Whether covering a war overseas, destruction following a tornado or the aftermath of terrorism, Art approached each assignment with the same commitment: tell the story accurately, fairly and with respect for the people living through it.

In 1991, Art arrived in Birmingham, Alabama, to join WBRC-TV.

His arrival would become a defining moment in the city’s broadcasting history.

Art became Birmingham’s first African American male television journalist to anchor a primetime newscast.

It was an achievement that extended beyond personal success.

At a time when African American men were rarely seen anchoring major evening newscasts in Southern television markets, Art helped change the image of who could sit behind the anchor desk and represent an entire community.

A newspaper feature later described him as a “primetime pioneer,” recognizing the significance of the trail he blazed.

Art spent 12 years at WBRC, serving not only as an anchor but also as managing editor of his newscast.

His face became familiar throughout central Alabama—appearing nightly on television and prominently on billboards across the Birmingham area.

But visibility also brought responsibility.

Art understood that young Black children were watching and seeing new possibilities for themselves.

His success opened doors and helped make television newsrooms more representative of the communities they served.

After establishing himself in Birmingham, Art was recruited to Atlanta, one of the country’s largest and most competitive television markets.

He worked as a reporter at WXIA-TV, NBC’s 11Alive, and later hired as a news anchor at WAGA-TV, FOX 5 Atlanta.

His reporting and anchoring placed him at the center of major breaking-news events, election coverage and stories affecting one of America’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions.

While in Atlanta, Art also demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit that would become another defining part of his life.

He launched Interactive Professional Media Group, a public relations firm specializing in media relations, crisis management and content creation.

The company allowed him to apply decades of newsroom experience to help organizations communicate effectively with the public.

Art later moved to Los Angeles with his wife, Michele.

While living in California, he rediscovered an interest in acting.

After signing with a casting agency, he worked as a background actor on several popular television series, including Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Secrets and Lies, starring Michael Ealy, and Kingdom, featuring Nick Jonas.

The experience revealed yet another dimension of a career already filled with variety.

But Birmingham was not finished with Art Franklin.

He was recruited back to Alabama, where WIAT-TV created a morning newscast built around his return: CBS 42 Morning News with Art Franklin.

He served as anchor and managing editor, helping establish the identity and direction of the program.

His success on mornings eventually led him back to evening television.

Alongside co-anchor Sherri Jackson, Art anchored CBS 42’s 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.

He remained in that role until leaving television in April 2022, concluding a broadcast career that had lasted 38 years.

Art’s work earned recognition at the highest levels of broadcast journalism.

He received two Emmy Awards and more than 100 journalism and community honors.

In 2019, he was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle, an honor presented to professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the television industry for at least 25 years.

In 2021, Art received an Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Innovation as anchor of CBS 42’s Coronavirus House Calls.

The program provided viewers with direct access to reliable health information during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the essential public-service role of local journalism during a national emergency.

He was later honored with a Telly Award, an international recognition celebrating excellence in television and video content across multiple platforms.

His collection of honors also includes resolutions from government leaders, recognition from the Atlanta and Birmingham city councils, keys to the cities of Birmingham and Fairfield, and acknowledgment on the floor of the United States Congress by Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell.

Art was named one of Birmingham’s Next Generation Black Leaders and was once mentioned among potential candidates for mayor of Birmingham.

Although he never launched a campaign, the public discussion reflected the level of trust and influence he had developed within the community.

Art never allowed journalism to become the only lane in which he traveled.

Years before becoming a household name in television, he helped the Flint-based R&B group Ready for the World gain entry into the music industry.

His contribution was later recognized with a platinum record.

Art eventually became chief executive officer of the Atlanta-based independent record label 285 Records, which focused on developing musical talent and supporting the neo-soul genre.

He also produced the National Association of Black Journalists Awards Show, which aired on Black Entertainment Television, and served as a guest journalism instructor at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in Florida.

His experience allowed him to teach and encourage younger journalists preparing to enter a rapidly changing profession.

Art is the author of the motivational book Give It All You Got, a title that reflects his personal philosophy.

The book encourages readers to pursue their goals with determination, discipline and confidence.

In 2021, he entered the fashion industry by launching the Art Franklin Collection, a men’s clothing line featuring ties, bow ties, shirts and custom suits.

The transition from anchorman to fashion entrepreneur attracted media attention and demonstrated his continued willingness to reinvent himself.

Today, he serves as chief executive officer of Franklin Consulting Group, drawing upon his background in journalism, public relations, content development and crisis communication.

Although Art’s professional accomplishments are extensive, his commitment to community service has been equally significant.

He created a summer youth employment initiative called Kids and Jobs, designed to introduce young people to the workplace and help them develop responsibility, confidence and practical skills.

Over the years, he has been honored by the 100 Black Men of South Metro Atlanta, Concerned Black Clergy, several NAACP chapters, the Birmingham Business Journal, The Birmingham News, faith-based institutions and numerous civic organizations.

He serves on several boards, including the HUB Community Development Corporation at The Worship Center Christian Church, where he serves as co-chair with Bishop Dr. Van Moody.

He is also involved with the Jefferson County Family Court Resource Center and Flourish Alabama.

Through those organizations, Art continues working to expand opportunities, strengthen families and support young people.

Art’s life of service also extends through Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

He serves as Basileus, or president, of the Alpha Phi Chapter in Birmingham, one of the fraternity’s largest graduate chapters.

In that role, he leads hundreds of men committed to scholarship, mentoring, community service and uplifting others.

His fraternity has recognized him for his leadership and service, adding to the many institutions that have honored his contributions - naming him Omega Man of The Year.

For Art, Omega Psi Phi represents more than membership.

It is another platform through which he can serve, mentor and help build stronger communities.

Away from journalism and public service, Art enjoys competition.

He is an avid tennis player and an accomplished cook.

He won two of Atlanta’s most celebrated culinary competitions: Real Men Cook and Gourmet Gents, presented by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

His award-winning banana pudding even made its way onto Atlanta television, where he introduced the dessert to comedian and actress Mo’Nique during a live broadcast.

The moment offered viewers a glimpse of the humor and personality that colleagues and friends have long known behind the scenes.

Despite the awards, historic achievements and public recognition, Art considers his family his greatest accomplishment.

He is the proud father of Dwight Arthur Franklin II.

Art and his wife, Michele, share a blended family of four adult children and seven grandchildren.

Their partnership has supported him through career changes, relocations, entrepreneurial ventures and the transition from television into a new season of life.

When asked about the source of his drive and determination, Art does not begin with an Emmy Award, a historic anchoring position or an international assignment.

He speaks of his mother, Annie Franklin.

She shaped his character before any television station hired him.

She taught him the importance of faith, discipline, hard work and perseverance.

Those lessons became the foundation upon which everything else was built.

Dwight “Art” Franklin’s story is not simply about a man who appeared on television.

It is the story of a young Detroiter who used education and determination to enter an industry where people who looked like him were often denied opportunities.

He became a primetime pioneer.

He reported from war zones and scenes of national tragedy.

He anchored major-market newscasts.

He created businesses, wrote a book, launched a clothing line, worked in the music industry and appeared on network television dramas.

He mentored young people, served his community and helped redefine what leadership could look like.

Through every achievement, he carried the foundation established by his family, his hometown and Detroit Southeastern High School.

Art Franklin’s life proves that excellence is not confined to a single career, city or chapter.

It is found in the courage to break barriers, the discipline to keep growing and the willingness to use success to create opportunities for others.

Dwight “Art” Franklin—a Homecoming King, primetime pioneer, multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, author, community leader and proud member of Detroit Southeastern High School’s June Class of 1976.

Another enduring example of Southeastern Excellence.

OTHER TEAM MEMBERS

- WILLIE DAVIS

- RAYMOND GREGORY

- CLARENCE SCARBOROUGH