Rosa Parks Awards Event Honors Community Icons

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – It seemed as if every single person present Friday night at Christos Restaurant had a very personal, unique story about “Bigg Tree,” and each one of those tales involved the indelible, positive and special footprint he left on that person’s life.

Whether it was alluding to his incredible ability to be acutely present, charismatic and humorous personality, unwavering belief in and dedication to youth, heart that overflowed with generosity and love or undeniable commitment to making his community a better place, Theodore “Tree” Arrington’s spirit- his “roots” could be tangibly felt. His 2020 passing left a massive hole in the Poughkeepsie (and beyond) community; however, the direly critical work he did inspired countless people and will live on forever through their efforts to see his dreams come to fruition.

One of his many legacies, R.E.A.L. Skills Network Inc., an after school and summer initiative for Poughkeepsie youth, providing an ensemble of offerings for elementary, middle and high school students has evolved into the largest youth empowerment institution in the City of Poughkeepsie. Programs such as START, TIPP and Toastmasters have equipped youth with a powerful arsenal of life skills, instilling confidence, competence and so much more.

All of those pearls, along with the incredible community mentors who support them, were once again honored at the 8th Annual Rosa Parks Community Icon Awards, organized and hosted by Cleopatra Jordan-Johnson, Associate Director of R.E.A.L. Skills Network, a second home which first nurtured her at age 13. Now coming full circle and applying the masterful wisdom instilled in her by “Tree,” Jordan-Johnson was the epicenter of making Friday’s event, dedicated to the man on everyone’s mind, a priceless memory.

“Tree was a person everyone gravitated to; you really are a product of the people you surround yourself with,” said 39th District Senator and former City of Poughkeepsie Mayor, Rob Rolison. “R.E.A.L. Skills is about a real city and being part of a community; you have made me more real by being a part of it.”

Friday’s Awards included showcasing the amazing youth talent that lies at the heart of R.E.A.L. Skills. Poet Gold led children as they proudly delivered a positive twist on the recitation of a popular number, followed up by clearly enunciated introductions of their names. Gold herself captured the audience’s attention, delivering a couple of powerful, self-created poems that vividly captured present-day realities. There was also the dance presentation by five members from the Kingston-Based Energy Dance Company (part of R.E.A.L. Skills) which kept the audience spellbound with their hypnotizing, uplifting, and on-key movements.

Another “Tree” protégé, Guest Speaker, Minister Jonathan McPhee, Youth Engagement Specialist, offered remarks about his lasting impact.

“Keep it real is what keeps coming to mind when I think about Tree and what he would want,” said McPhee, who expanded upon the potent meanings behind R.E.A.L. Skills’ acronym: Relationship, Empowerment, Affirmation and Leadership. “Community is community, and we have a responsibility to build each other up.”

Each one of the evening’s honorees was hailed for actively living those mantras, embedded in the R.E.A.L. Skills fabric. In fact, the laurels contained titles of the different principles of Kwanza: Purpose, Creativity, Faith, Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, and Cooperative Economics. No matter the award, and no matter who the recipient was, the common denominator resonated in their acceptance remarks: The everlasting burning light and loving-still guiding spirit of “Tree.”

Frankie Flowers, an entrepreneur and long-time advocate for the youth, earned the John Flowers Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics Principle) Award, in memory of his father.
“Don’t forget to take time, really be present, and spend it with people you love; Tree really took the time to be with people,” advised Flowers. “Be present, work on things you can change, and make a difference.”

Another honoree, Karmen Smallwood, the recipient of the Robert “Bob” Auchincloss Nia (Purpose Principle) Award, was yet another one of so many present who could not separate the person he or she had become from the man who started everything the evening exemplified.

“This award ceremony is bitter-sweet, as Tree is not physically here, but I am still here for and because of him,” said Smallwood, Dutchess County’s First Assistant Commissioner for Youth Services, who related a moving tale of how “Tree” would watch her as she oversaw Green Teen early morning garden endeavors, something he was known for: making sure the youth were served and seen. Reflecting upon that “checkup” by her mentor, Smallwood added, “I believe it is our duty and responsibility to make our community better, not because someone is watching you, but because it’s the right thing to do; thank you Tree for still watching over me.”

Other honorees included; Lisa Kaul (Lateef Islam Umoja Award), Tim McQueen (Mel Garrett Kujichagulia Award), Late Sheriff “ Butch” Anderson (Lorraine Roberts Ujima Award), Lilia Perez (Franny Reese Kuumba Award) and Reverend Dr. Jesse Voyd Bottoms, Jr. ( Mother Addie B. McClinton Imani Award.) College Fellow Awards were presented to Marcellus Free and Elishia Harrison; while the Peer Mentor Award went to Jaysen Anderson Jr.