Community Activist for Children and Education

To support himself while pushing government officials to improve conditions for children and schools, he served concurrently as a part-time minister and also customers in his salon business. 

FAMILY BACKGROUND

LS was one of several children born to parents living in a major city. Neither parent was college educated but each worked hard at their jobs and tasks away from and within the family home. LS’ parents set good examples of working hard and caring about others, both within the family and within the neighborhood. 

His father died when LS was 14, forcing him to grow up while young, giving him a sense of responsibility for others, which never left him. 

CHILDHOOD

Diagnosed during childhood with sickle cell anemia, LS lived in some degree of pain throughout his life. But this constant annoyance would never define LS’ positive outlook toward his own work and his advocacy for others. 

EDUCATION

Following high school graduation, LS earned enrollment at a well-respected university, where he said the most important skill he gained was critical thinking. 

A “man of faith,’ LS later earned a Master’s degree from a theological seminary. 

MILITARY

When LS was growing up, all males at age 18 had to register for the military draft. Instead of waiting to learn when the Army would summon him to basic training to commence a few years of active duty, LS decided to enlist in a volunteer organization, the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served his country until earning his Honorable Discharge.

BUSINESS OWNER

LS’ first civilian career path commenced with attending a barber training program, eventually earning his barber’s license. He then started his own full-service salon business, where he continued to work as time permitted between his other interests. 

MINISTER

A man of faith, having earned his theological degree, LS was first a minister at a Baptist church and later, for more than a decade, served as an associate minister at another Baptist church. 

Said a senior pastor at one of the churches where LS served, “He was deeply committed to an Afro-sensitive perspective of his Christianity. He was a man of God who was a man of the community.” 

COMMUNITY ACTIVIST

When LS’ daughter began attending a city public school, LS became aware of the school’s overcrowded conditions. He spoke out about it, enlisting others to this cause, hoping to push the school district administrators to take action by supplying more resources and empowering families to make their voices heard. 

LS was one of the founders of Parents United for Public Education, which advocated for better schools. 

As his daughter later noted, speaking out was a job her father relished. “He loved children as well as helping families and removing barriers to education.”

While serving as the executive director of education and religious leadership groups, LS spoke out against gun violence and for more resources in schools. 

Said a member of the city’s elected council about LS, “It was his belief in justice, hope and the promise of a better tomorrow that really got him up and going every single day – that’s what drove him. I felt like nothing was impossible with him by my side.”

CAREER SATISFACTION

LS remained busy even as his health worsened, and he became blind at the end of his life. He served as board chairman of the Delaware Valley Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. 

“He lost his sight, but not his vision for a better tomorrow” said the host of a Black-owned talk radio station where LS called frequently to voice his advocacy opinions. 

Though he had three children of his own, LS acted as a father to many more. His daughter recalled, “There’s plenty of people who called him another dad, or another grandfather.”

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This career story has several sources including an obituary written by Kristen Graham, published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on 5/17/21 plus online research.