{"status":"ok","elements":"
B.Michael’s mother, Sheila Louise Sorden. Born 31 January 1934, died 07 August 2000. B.Michael’s maternal grandfather, Alfred McKinley Sorden. Handwriting on back belongs to daughter Sheila, B.Michael’s mother. In March 1981, Alfred wrote daughter Sheila and asked after her and her three surviving sisters (Alfred’s daughters), Kathleen (aka Kitty), Anita and Gloria. He also asked about Sheila’s husband (B.Michael’s father, who is also named Bertram) as well as three of Sheila’s four children (Alfred’s grandchildren) \u2014 B.Michael, then aged 22, his older brother Stephen and younger brother David. Smryna, DelawareMarch 22, 1981 Dear Sheila, Will you please send me Kathleen… Continue reading Blood Ancestors<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> B.Michael throwing down in first grade . . . In fifth grade . . . And in seventh grade!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> A priceless cache of B.Michael’s earliest known work! Memorabilia from kindergarten to third grade which hibernated in his mom’s storage boxes, which he inherited when she died. B.Michael was attending P.S. 146 in Manhattan at this time. One assignment, dated April 5th (see page 34), would have been done the day after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis. Coincidentally, B.Michael wrote a poem, Bridgetown, in which he references MLK’s murder. Check out page 2 for a highlighted commentary on the 45th POTUS and a call to action for the 2020 presidential election! Though undated, the worksheet below… Continue reading Bertram Hunter, 4th Grader<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> B.Michael’s family bought an occasional New York State lottery ticket. He kept a bundle of unsuccessful stubs, spanning 1972-75, which coincides with his high school years.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> Check out reference to 14 y.o. B.Michael as “Assistant Mayor Bertram Hunter”, and his participation in the General Organization (G.O.), and on the Track and Soccer teams.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> This is a list of potential colleges generated presumably while B.Michael was still at Brooklyn Technical High School. If anyone is familiar with how the NSSFNS worked back then, please leave a comment!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> In 1976, B.Michael is among the 93rd class of graduates from Brooklyn Tech. See page 5 below.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> B.Michael pledged Alpha Phi Alpha as a first-year student at Adelphi University.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> Imagining that 19-year old B.Michael was inspired by seeing this troupe and also wondered where were all the dancers of color on stage.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> B.Michael was 20 years old and still attending Adelphi University when he took in this show. Imagining that Loretta Devine, among others, would have made an impression.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> B.Michael valued strengthening community in whatever context he found himself. As an undergraduate at Adelphi, he pursued a myriad of ways to support his fellow students, which included applying to be an on-campus Resident Assistant (RA) for his Junior year. He sought a written reference from Kathleen Harrison, aka his beloved Aunt Kitty. Please describe the nature and length of your relationship with the applicant. I have known Bertram all his life. There is a close intimate friendship between his family and mine. He has always evidenced courtesy, intelligence and interest and has contributed greatly to all social gatherings by… Continue reading Letter of Recommendation<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> On a slate that included President, Vice-President, Secretary, Arts & Sciences Representative, and Business Representative, B.Michael, a Sophomore, ran unopposed for Treasurer of Adelphi’s Student Political Association (S.P.A.)! Below are samples of meeting minutes from his 1978-79 Junior year, together with some communications regarding the business of the S.P.A.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> B.Michael pictured here in Adelphi University’s Oracle with the Black Student Union (BSU) and referenced with the Student Political Association.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> As a Junior at Adelphi University, B.Michael sent a piece to the Delphian, his college newspaper. Though it hasn’t yet been located, it critiques the publication’s prioritization, or lack thereof, of issues related to students of color. In her response, the editor at the time seems to take a defensive posture, assuring Bert and others that: “. . . there is no conscious effort on our part to ignore minority events. Yet I’m sure you would agree that with as many problems as [Adelphi] has (tuition, dorms etc.), everything on campus cannot be covered.” She also uses her missive to… Continue reading Letter *from* the Editor<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> Seeing these legends on the same bill at Carnegie Hall surely rocked B.Michael’s 20-year old world. B.Michael was fond of saving things; he also kept the ticket stubs in their original envelope. We’re curious who accompanied B.Michael to this performance. If it was you, please contact us here\u2014we’d love to hear what you remember!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> This event, only the second in as many years, was most likely a highlight of Bert’s school year. He is listed on page 4 among the planning committee. Many of his running buddies were involved on stage and\/or behind the scenes playing leadership roles in the Black Community, both on and off campus, and in the Adelphi University student body in general \u2014 Sam Aymer, Karen Fraction, Lorna Johnson, Bruce Jones, Jeff Lee and Pam Tyson. By its fourth year (and Bert’s graduation year), the *Third World* Senior Luncheon was co-sponsored by La Union Latina, highlighting solidarity between Black and… Continue reading African-American Studies + Union of Black Collegians = Senior Luncheon<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> B.Michael pictured here with the Student Political Association, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and helping out during Commencement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> B.Michael featured on page 32 of the national magazine of his college’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. B.Michael’s competitive application.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> Wonderment. You, out of a star. … Continue reading Writing Fragment<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> Bert was set to visit Tanzania on a study-abroad experience via Operation Crossroads. But due to “political complications” in that country, he was reassigned to Kenya. Always flexible, Bert pivoted and embraced the change in plans. His final paper on his Kenyan experience can be found here. The reassignment occurred some time between May 16th and June 20th, as indicated by the faded red postmarks on these envelopes from Operation Crossroads. Here is a fact sheet Bert would have received from Operation Crossroads to help orient him to his destination country.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> While still in college, B.Michael became a notary, most likely as a result of a summer job or internship. His mom Sheila took a message (see page 2) in a 20th century, non-electronic way. She alludes to B.Michael’s jet lag: he was returning from a summer program in Kenya.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> Whenever B.Michael traveled, he would drop himself a line, which he received when he got home. At the conclusion of his first trip to Africa, where he spent six weeks in Kenya through Operation Crossroads, he sent himself the following postcard.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> Early in 1980, while still a student at Adelphi University, Bert applied to volunteer with Operation Crossroads Africa, a US-based, non-governmental agency that, “sponsors cross-cultural exchanges and small-scale service projects in Africa.” His first time out of the U.S. and the personal significance as as a Black American to travel to Africa specifically, as well as an opportunity to earn academic credit for an independent study, the trip would serve multiple purposes. It would be a life-altering sojourn that expanded his vision of the world and his place in it. He wrote about his experience here, which also foreshadows his… Continue reading Kenya<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> As an undergraduate at Adelphi University, B.Michael availed himself of some of these courses and connected with the program’s faculty.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div> Brother Hunter represents! Here are Adelphi University’s Dean of Student Affairs and Director of African American Studies weighing in. “When Jane Fonda appeared on campus to lecture on energy conservation, Bert took the opportunity to engage her in meaningful dialogue . . . [Bert] is concerned beyond his dedication to Black causes with the well-being of his country. He realizes that he is an American citizen not just a Black citizen.”<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n