Ronald E. McNair, Ph.D was born October 21, 1950 in Lake City, SC. My cousin, Ron was my hero from a very young age I admired him. Ron and my mother were 1st cousins. I have fond memories of him calling and talking to my mother, he would ask how we were doing in school because he loved education. I would ask him if he could come to my school for career day so that all my friends would know that my cousin was an astronaut. I was and still am extremely proud of him and his accomplishments. Ron was an astronaut for NASA and a physicist; he was also a skilled musician and had a black belt in karate. Ron was family oriented his father was my grandfather’s brother and one of my favorite uncles who we affectionately called “Uncle Lum”. When I was in the sixth grade I decided I wanted to go to Boston University because Ron was attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology and I wanted to be like him.

On January 28, 1986 our lives changed forever. I was aware that my Uncles and other family members were at Cape Canaveral, Fl. to watch the Challenger Space Shuttle launch with Ron on board as a crew specialist. Our family along with the world was devastated when the Challenger space shuttled exploded all crew members perished. Ronald’s memorial service was held in Lake City, SC, the place of his birth and that is where my grandfather and his brothers were born. I remember being at Ronald’s memorial service and seeing the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan and other dignitaries in attendance I felt honored to be a part of his family. One of my favorite memories of that day, after we left the service we had a caravan of cars that went to this little tiny house that my grandfather and his brothers were born and raised. Across from the house was a cotton field where our ancestors picked cotton. My grandfather and his brothers took pictures in front of the family house and we picked a few pieces of cotton from the cotton field. It was very poignant for me to see his meager beginnings in the racially segregated South to becoming one of the first Black astronauts.

Ronald left a great legacy of family, love and education. He was so smart and accomplished much in his 35 years of life. There are numerous accolades and memorials dedicated to Ron. In his honor, Ronald E. McNair Middle School in Lake City, SC was renamed after him, and The McNair Scholars Program is a federal program funded at 151 Universities by the U.S Dept of Education to prepare undergraduates for doctoral studies.

Lovingly Submitted by,
Lena McNair

In 2018 at a baby shower given in honor of our daughter and son- in- love, my husband met and had a conversation with Sylvia Hoffman regarding her training for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

This past weekend our family, along with others around the world, cheered on Philly born, SylviaHoffman. She was the bobsled brakeman for Elana Meyers Taylor, her U.S.A. teammate, five-time medalist, and Most Decorated Black Athlete in Winter Olympics History and Most Decorated Woman in Olympic Bobsledding. Together they were the bronze medal winners for Team U.S.A. in the two-woman bobsleigh event.

Sylvia is the cousin of our son- in- love, AnthonyLewis, and the niece of Deacon Harvey and Sister Terri Johnson. She was born in Philadelphia and is an American bobsledder who was first discovered and recruited for the national bobsled team on The Next Olympic Hopeful. She resides in Arlington, TX. In high school she was a basketball, s ccer, volleyball, and track champion. She attended Louisiana State University, Shreveport. Before bobsledding, she was a college basketball player and participated in weightlifting.

This coming Sunday our family will share in the conclusion of February Black History Month Celebration worship service with Holsey Temple CME Church in Germantown as they recognize Sylvia for this great achievement.

To God Be the Glory,
Ellie McClinton

Born September 3rd 1960 to Sanford Dickerson Sr and Sharon Hawkins. At the age of 3 was diagnosed as being retarded by doctors in Philadelphia and New York. After having hands laid on him for healing, he was miraculously and completely healed with no recurring symptoms, even when the doctors said he would be that way for the rest of his life.

In the summer of 1976, family moved from the mean streets of South West Philly, and moved the pleasant and calm suburbs of Berwyn Pa.

He graduated for Conestoga Senior High School June 15, 1979. He then entered the U.S Army July 12 1979 and served for six years April 12, 1985.

40 years ago, He married his beautiful wife Cheryl on January 9, 1982 and on December 28th 1982, their Son Jason was born, follow by their second Son Ryan, on May 25, 1989

Rev Dickerson left the military in 1985 and began working for the Philadelphia Electric Company on May 2, 1985, presently in his 37th year

He was licensed to Preach the Gospel on June 14, 1998 and then Ordained three and half years later, December 9, 2001

Rev Dickerson in March 1994 developed by the leading of the Lord the Victorious Life Ministries by of a monthly newsletter, about the goodness, grace and mercy of the Lord, teaching all who would listen about salvation and how to live and walk by faith.

In January 2014, he developed the Victorious Life Word For Today Daily Devotional on Facebook which reaches close to 5,000 people a day, in the United States and all around the World.

In March 2020, he began posting the Victorious Life Word For Today Videos, on Facebook and YouTube which can be seen each and every day.

Rev Dickerson is proudly serving as an Associate Minister, at Zion Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of Rev. Dr. Ernest R. Flores, and on every Tuesday night, on the Zion Prayer Line, Teaching How To Develop Unwavering Faith, as well as serving as the chairman of the Men’s Ministry.

Joseph "Smokin Joe" Frazier, the Heavyweight Champion of the World, entered this world on January 12, 1944 to the late Rubin and Dolly Frazier. His father lovingly called him, “Billy Boy.” When his father lost his left hand in a shooting accident, he began referring to Billy boy as his left hand man. This helped Joe develop his signature left hook. Billy dropped out of school in the sixth grade to help his dad. Billy knew at a young age that he wanted to be the next heavyweight champion of the world after watching his hero Joe Louis. He filled a burlap sack with bricks, moss, corncobs, rags and hung it from a tree. He hit the bag every day for the next seven years. Billy Boy enjoyed fixing cars and singing. As a teenager he moved to New York with his brother and then to North Philadelphia with his aunt. He married in 1963 and with this union they had five children and later divorced. He worked at Cross Brothers Meeting packing while living in Philadelphia where he would train on his lunch break and after work by hitting sides of beef at the slaughterhouse.

Later, Smokin’ Joe trained at the PAL (Police Athletic League) and won three national Golden Gloves Titles. In 1964 he won an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo while fighting at least three fights with a broken thumb. Joe's employee learned of his broken thumb and terminated him from his services.

Joe received Christ at Bright Hope Baptist Church. Whenever he had an opportunity, he would attend church services on Sundays at numerous neighborhoods churches. He enjoyed listening to gospel music on Sundays. His favorite gospel preacher was Reverend CL Franklin and his favorite singer was Reverend Marvin Sapp. He also had a singing group, “Joe Frazier and the Knockouts.”

He received the name Smokin' Joe from his trainer Yancey "Yank" Durham. Yank said to him before a fight, "Joe go out and Smoke ‘em." Smokin' Joe's most memorable bouts were against Muhammad Ali, "The Fight of the Century,” and "The Thriller in Manila." But the most historical bout was against Ali at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971, the first multimillion dollar fight ever. Smoke was victorious and became the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Smokin' Joe won the NABF World Heavyweight Title, NYSAC World Heavyweight Title, WBA World Heavyweight Title and the WBC World Heavyweight Title. Smokin' Joe was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1980. He has received all the major boxing awards and the NAACP living legend award. The name Smokin' Joe Frazier is synonymous with Credibility, Durability, Leadership, Hard Work, Dedication, Loyalty, Honesty, Discipline and Sacrifice. Smokin' Joe’s boxing record was 32-4-1 with 27 knockouts.

Joe had a big heart and loved his family and community. He was involved in numerous fundraisers.

For over 30 years he served as owner and president of Smokin' Joe Frazier Incorporated. Smokin’ Joe had a gym in North Philadelphia which opened in 1968 where he mentored many men and women who became great boxers and citizens. Joe Frazier was a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, father, grand father, great-grand father and friend. He enjoyed making appearances for charity and businesses. Joe Frazier and his technology business associates were number one at the 1992 convention in Las Vegas. He was a boxing authority and performed live boxing commentary at numerous fights. Joe also was on several television shows and movies. He is known for some of the most humorous TV commercials. He has provided the voice for an animated character of himself on the Simpson’s show. He was the co-author of his autobiography and is featured in South Carolina’s African-American history calendar. He was a humanitarian and staunch supporter of international freedom and justice. Smokin' Joe presented Nelson Mandela with his World Heavyweight Champion Belt to celebrate Mandell's release from prison.

Joseph Frazier was called home to be with the Lord on November 7, 2011.

“May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me."

The Elijah Fletcher plantation is where my maternal roots began as slaves. The property is now known as Sweet Briar College, Amherst County, Virginia . I’m so thankful that our Fletcher family heritage can be traced to pre Emancipation Proclamation with Lavinia and James, slaves on that Sweet Briar plantation, took the surname Fletcher when they were freed.

Proud to be a Fletcher descendant; my mom was born Jennie Louis Fletcher with a twin brother, Patrick Henry Fletcher. They were born April 5, 1910 in Amherst County, Virginia to parents, Jennie Carter Fletcher and Patrick Henry Fletcher.

So here’s my maternal family tree traced to the Sweet Briar Plantation:

-James & Lavinia Fletcher ( my great grandparents)
-Patrick Henry Fletcher & Jennie Carter Fletcher (my grandparents)
-Jennie Louis Fletcher Pearson & Chois William Pearson Sr. (my parents)
-Gladys Marie Pearson Baskerville & Richard Lorenzo Baskerville (me & spouse)

Our descendants:
-Rhea Marie, Rashaan LeVar, & Garrick Mansa Baskerville
-Rashaan & Cassandra Leak Baskerville:

My granddaughters:
-Alessandra Catherine Marie Baskerville
-Raya Lorenza-Hayley Baskerville

I was inspired to do this brief history after watching the documentary in which Jasper Fletcher (my cousin and son of my mother’s twin, Patrick Henry Fletcher), Annette Anderson (my cousin) and Bethany Pace(my niece and daughter of my sister, Elizabeth ) were featured at the slave burial grounds on the property of Sweet Briar College.
Our family has had several Fletcher Family reunions on the Sweet Briar College campus. We were featured in the local Lynchburg, Virginia newspaper on those occasions.

Let us keep searching for our history and document the facts for the future generations.

God bless those that came before us!
In His Service!
Sister Gladys Marie (Pearson) Baskerville
Zion Baptist Church of Ambler (1997-present)

Watch the documentary here

Todd McNair, running back coach for Super bowl Champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers is also my cousin. Todd’s father Todd McNair, Sr. and my mother Lorraine “Betsy” McNair are first cousins, their fathers were brothers. Todd was born and raised in Camden, NJ which is also were I was born and raised. Todd’s father and my mother had a close relationship and were also good friends. I have fond memories of spending summers at Todd’s grandparent’s home in Woodbury, NJ were I would spend time with my cousins playing ,family cookouts etc. One thing I can say about Todd and his dad who we called “Toddy” is they are extremely funny always made me laugh.

Todd and his younger brother, Scott both played high school football at Pensauken High School. After graduating high school Todd and Scott both played running backs for Temple University. In 1989 Todd was drafted in the NFL and played for Kansas City Chiefs from 1989-1993, he also played for Houston Oilers for one season. Todd began his professional coaching career in 2001 with the Cleveland Browns. Todd then served as running backs coach at the University of Southern California for six seasons (2004-09), while also serving as USC's special team’s coordinator for four years (2005-08). “Under McNair, Trojans running backs amassed more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage six times and, in 2005, became the first unit in school history to see a pair of runner’s eclipse 1,000 yards rushing in a season (Reggie Bush and LenDale White). USC also won a national championship.” Todd’s career highlight is winning the Super Bowl Championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021.

I am extremely proud of Todd and his accomplishments. Go Bucs!

Livingly Submitted by,
Lena McNair

This is a Pittsburgh International Airport Memorial featuring Tuskegee Airmen, which shows my cousin, Grayson E. Sandidge, Sr. My cousin was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII. His son, Grayson E. Sandidge, Jr., is an honorary Tuskegee Airman member. Grayson Jr. has some memorabilia displayed in his home in the Pittsburgh area. Whenever I visit our hometown, Grayson Jr. speaks with so much pride and love for his dad as he served our country.

As you may know, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American soldiers to successfully complete their training and enter the Army Air Corps. The name refers to the young Black pilots who received flight training at Tuskegee Air Field in Alabama during and shortly after World War II. Almost 1000 aviators were produced as America's African American military pilots. These military pilots formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces.

Here are some important facts about these valiant men:

*They had an excellent track record in bomber escort missions during World War II.

*They were established with the help of Eleanor Roosevelt.

*Three Tuskegee Airmen were the first black generals in the US Air Force.

My sister, Elizabeth Baliem-Simmons, was traveling through Terminal A of the Pittsburgh International Airport and saw this wall memorial honoring Tuskegee Airmen from the Western Pennsylvania area. Many of our family members lived in Pittsburgh and the areas surrounding the city after migration from Virginia. She stood beside the profile image of our late cousin, Grayson E. Sandidge, Sr. a Tuskegee Airmen, and took the photo. Grayson’s mom, Bernice Fletcher Sandidge, and my mom, Jennie Louis Fletcher Pearson, were sisters. Bernice, the oldest girl, and Jennie, the youngest girl, of twelve Fletcher children who grew up in Amherst, Virginia. I remember Cousin Grayson Sr. coming to our home in Pittsburgh to visit his Aunt Jennie often when I was a child growing up. Sunday visits from family members were very common. Serveral family members migrated from Amherst, Virginia north to Ohio, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to have better employment opportunities.

Our familiy is blessed and honored to have a Tuskeegee Airmen serve our country during the war. They played a very significant role in American History.

In His Service!

Sister Gladys Marie (Pearson) Baskerville

Member of Zion Baptist Church Ambler

1997-Present