As I was growing up in Monroe, Louisiana, I can remember my mother, Mrs. Jessie Mae Phenix Blanson, attending and graduating from a local vocational school that used to be located at,"700 ROGERS STREET," IN MONROE, LOUISIANA. The name of the school was, DELTA OUACHITA AREA VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, AND IT WAS ACTUALLY LOCATED ONLY A COUPLE OF FEET TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE BACK OF CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL. Interestingly, Bernie Dayton Robinson, along with other leading Black Educators, Morris "Henry" Carroll, Lorraine Slacks, Mackie Freeze, and Andrew Julius Mansfield were instrumental in seeing to it that the school was constructed at the Rogers Street Location. At this point of my story, "I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST, LAST, AND ONLY TIME THAT THE CITY OF MONROE AND THE STATE OF LOUISIANA BOTH WENT IN ON A STAND-ALONE VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL PROJECT, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY CONSTRUCTED WITHIN A BLACK COMMUNITY IN MONROE!" Ok, so many of you would probably like to know why I'm bringing up a school that's no longer a part of our Black Community. Well, the main reason I'm mentioning this particular school is because so much of our local Black history in Monroe is being erased and forgotten with the changing of the times. Case in point : "FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU WERE TO TAKE A GROUP OF CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON A TOUR OF THE FORMER LOCATION SITE OF THE SCHOOL," which was near Carroll High and Carroll Jr High School ; you will be very lucky if you are able to find any sign that the school had even been there at all!!! Another reason for me sharing this information is,"I WANT OUR LOCAL YOUNG BLACK YOUTH TO LEARN THAT LESS THAN 60 YEARS AGO," Black Students in their own Black Community were able to obtain comprehensive training in various fields that allowed them to rise above their circumstances, and go on to live productive lives! Finally, I feel that it would be very beneficial for the teachers and students at Carroll High and Carroll Jr. High School to know that once upon a time, in Monroe,"OUR BLACK ANCESTORS SAW TO IT THAT A VOCATIONAL TRAINING FACILITY WAS ESTABLISHED DIRECTLY IN THE MIDST OF OUR OWN BLACK COMMUNITIY!" PLEASE NOTE : There's plenty of forgotten "LOCAL BLACK HISTORY" right here in Monroe, just waiting for Black Students and adults to learn about! Now, on to this week's Black Pioneer, Herman L. Finley! Reportedly, Herman was born in Monroe, Louisiana, in 1948, only a few years after World War ll. Additionally, there was mention of Herman living in both Monroe and Union Parish, before graduating high school. Growing up, he always had a ear for music, which helped him decide on what to major in college. Soon after graduating high school, Herman attended several Louisiana Universities, including, Gambling State University, Southern University at Shreveport, and Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, where he studied music. By the way, Herman was a regular pianist for a good while, at the St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe. Later on, he moved to Caddo Parish where he ended up accepting the position of Minister of Music at the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, in Shreveport, Louisiana, under the leadership of the Legendary Civil Rights Leader and pastor Dr. Harry Blakes. Also, because of his experience, background, and passion for music Herman was offered an Executive position with Jewel Records as Vice-President of Promotions and Production, which was the premier record company for Southern Gospel music, back in the day. A few other interesting things about Herman's accomplishments included the following : Herman founded the Louisiana State Mass Choir ; he was credited for helping the Bright Star Black Male Chorus gain National Notoriety ; and he served as one of the Senior Musicians for The Louisiana Baptist Youth Encampment. Regretfully, on May 28, 2005, God called Herman L. Finley Sr. home to perform in his Heavenly Choir!
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