Chairman's Column

Frontiers Against Disparities

Webster’s dictionary, among its other explanations, defines frontier as a “new or untapped area of knowledge or achievement.”

The honorees of the Twentieth Annual Black History Makers Awards are truly remarkable. Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do.”

John H. Johnson, Sheila C. Johnson, and Harold P. Freeman, in every respect, validate Aristotle’s observation. From their respective vantage points, each has consistently struck a standard for high achievement and excellence. In the course of doing so, each pioneered the opening of new opportunity in areas fundamentally significant to the well being of African Americans throughout the country.

They established frontiers against disparities in the fields of media and healthcare. They, in the words of John H. Johnson, brought excellence against a real need. In the case of media, they gave voice, hope, and self-awareness to African Americans otherwise either silenced by exclusion or portrayed negatively when included in the general media. In healthcare,
Harold Freeman brought not only finely honed surgical skills to the task of cancer treatment, but a determined and passionate will to end the medical mistreatment of African American patients.

The frontiers they established are ones we readily know about and can relate to easily. We read Ebony and Jet. We watch BET. Our schools have been enriched by their teaching and philanthropic generosity. And we have had our pains relieved and illnesses treated at Harlem Hospital. The impact
of their individual and collective achievements casts a wide net to extend the borders against disparity and to equality.

His family and the employees of Johnson Publishing Company are carrying on the work and legacy of John H. Johnson. Sheila Johnson remains at work helping our young to have better educational opportunity and healthcare. Harold Freeman is steadfast, firm, and vocal in his crusade to save African Americans from the disparities and ravages of cancer.

Though pushed back, disparities still inhabit our media and hold back treatment and equal access to quality healthcare. At Associated Black Charities we are joining their effort. Please join them and us.

I thank you very much for your continued support.

Rayton Gerald
Chairman, Board of Directors
Associated Black Charities