PART I: BLOODLINES: THE TALLEYS, JARAMOGI & I

The seed is encoded with everything that the tree will eventually become. 

It has to find an environment to find its destiny. 

The sunlight & the water assists to find its destiny. 

My connecting the dots has helped me understand how my seed  found his home!

 ~expressed to me by Rev. Menelik Kimathi  (my god-father & mentor)

Here's how my "connecting the dots" began...

After my husband returned from the White House late August 2013, I posted this picture he sent on my IG.  

Darius Jones & MLK III (white house reception 2013)

 - this pic was my first "hmm" moment. 

 I then added these two pics and thus, began connecting the dots!

Here is Jaramogi (formerly known as Albert B. Cleage Jr.) & MLK Jr.

my grandfather (Rev. Cornell e Talley) shaking hands w/MLK Jr.

and Darius (once again) w/MLK III

 -I'll explain who they are & the significance-

Then someone posted this pic of my father protesting in the Nashville sit-ins 1961 on FB (he's the light-skinned guy with the dark shades.  Dad says he was 18 yrs here)

I knew NOTHING of my dads protesting during that time or any other time!  I called him immediately and told him to spill everything.  I wanted to know EVERYTHING! All the untold stories lying dormant in his 70 yr. old memory (which is good by the way) & the many boxes in his father's "cage", he calls it.  Dad was more than happy to share. 

Sooo as dad is sharing, and I'm learning, and asking tons of questions about so many historical moments that my family has been involved in 

 this photo came through my "group text" as topic of 

conversation a few days later; the small print at the bottom immediately ignited a desire to CONNECT THE DOTS!

The small print reads "Pearl Reed Cleage with firstborn, my father Albert B. Cleage Jr. 1911, Indianapolis, Indiana" 

The reason this ignited my interest was I couldn't help but to think Jaramogi AND/OR his father must've crossed paths with my grandfather AND/OR my great-grandfather!
Remember, Jaramogi was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1911 & my great-grandfather was a member of the General Assembly in Indiana in 1937!  Jaramogi's father was also a physician.  Particularly during that period black doctors, ministers, politicians, etc. were a small circle. Im thinking to myself, "SOMEBODY KNEW SOMEBODY!"

Stay with me!

 all I ask is to be used in this process.  my curiosities have all but been ignited. family facts that have moved me to tears...something whispers, "keep going". 

I'll do my best to keep it simple and get right down to it.

I found and met my dad for the FIRST time 15 years ago while in my early 20's.

Prior to that I had ZERO influence from him or any other male member of my paternal side.  Actually, not much influence from my maternal side either. 

My mom was 2 weeks shy of 18 when I was born.  She always lets me know that despite her being a teenager my arrival brought her indescribable joy!

Mom joined a church with 13 - month old me in tow called "Shrines of the Black Madonna" - a Pan African Orthodox Christian Church. 
My life began fatherless-except I just didn't have a clue!

Once mom joined the Shrine & began missionary work for the church, I had great examples of fathers & men. Organizers, Providers, Leaders, Griots, Protectors, Teachers, Scholars, Theologians, Bishops & Cardinals right up under my nose...loving me, guiding me, keeping a watchful eye EVERYDAY! 

Inevitably this would be my example; my foundation.  I knew nothing different.  This was THE FAMILY. 

 I was placed in the path of an influential & organized church (Shrines of the Black Madonna, founded by Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman in 1953.  Jaramogi is known as the "Father of Black Christian Nationalism".  A mesmerizing orator, author, brilliant organizer and innovative thinker. Later, I would find that his presence in my life not only affected my very core, but would have great influence (subconscious at first) regarding how I even chose men.  

Mom gave me what every parent should give a child; a solid foundation.

My foundation was established here at The Shrines of the Black Madonna, AND this is where my seed (DNA) found its home!

NOW LETS START CONNECTING THE DOTS...

 The more I research my paternal grandfather & great-grandfathers work, the more i find the pieces of my life are starting to make sense! Like"hair raising on the back of my neck" sense!   I'm finding there's an uncanny connection & common, if not downright exact thread in all 4 of these men life's work, and how all 4 men (pic below) have EVERYTHING to do with my very existence;  either by bloodline, by example (Jaramogi), or by choice, my husband Darius Jones. I knew whomever I married had to have Jaramogis "approval".  He not only reminds me of a "Jaramogi" but his work is a continuation of a Rev. Dr. Marshall A. Talley (my great-grandfather), his son Rev. Dr. Cornell E. Talley (my grandfather) & Rev. Albert B. Cleage (currently known as Jaramogi)!

Stay with me...

I'll start with my great-grandfather Rev. Dr. Marshall A. Talley

.  I'm not certain of his exact birthday, but I know he passed in 1953 (cerebral hemorrhage) at age 75.  So he must've been born around 1878! This article was in the "INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER" May 5, 1953

The article begins by stating "Rev. Marshall A. Talley, widely known religious scholar and Baptist preacher died in General Hospital around noon Thursday. 

 (Again, stay with me).

My great-grandfather was a member of the House of Representatives in 1937 (State of Indiana).  The only African-american member.  Here's a description I found online:

On July 8, 1931, the Rev. Marshall A. Talley, pastor of Clark Memorial Baptist Church of Homestead, PA, accepted the pastorate of Mt. Zion.  He led the congregation to focus on youth and Christian Education.  From 1933-1949, Rev. Talley served as Dean of the National Baptist (USA, Inc.) Sunday School Congress and editor for its Sunday School material.  He was a recognized leader in Religious Education circles and among Negro Baptists in America.  He instituted the Certificate of Progress Program (COPP) that is still used today by the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.  Rev. Talley was elected to the Indiana State Legislature in 1936.  Rev. Talley resigned as pastor of Mt. Zion on Dec. 15, 1937.  His son, the Rev. Cornell Talley served as Iterim Pastor until late January 1938. (HE's at the very bottom smack in the middle)

I've discovered some sermon titles of his: " The decoration of our Spirituals", "The Desecration of our Spirituals".  He authored several books, "The Socratic Exposition of Genesis", written in 1935, was widely renowned.

 I recently purchased a copy on Amazon.  Guess what?  It was only 1 left - you know I bought it!
I've found in my research that whenever my great-grandfather spoke or made political moves, it was mentioned in the newspapers of that time. Here are such mentions:

THE AFRO-AMERICAN FEB 10, 1940 (AS STATED IN THE ARTICLE REV. MARSHALL TALLEY IS FRONT ROW LEFT (GLASSES, HANDS TOUCHING)

THE AFRO-AMERICAN -AUGUST 17, 1940

In 1938 , he developed a program called COPP (Certificate of Progress Program).  Designed to provide an educational structure that will develop candidates qualified for teaching & leadership positions.  
In Nashville, Tenn. Dec 2-4, 2013, theres a COPP conference where graduates, having gone through this program share how each phase of the program best served them as teachers & leaders.   It is still used today!