Board of Directors

It is my heartfelt desire to leave the cherished history of the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School Mustang Band to those band members who follow after us. Just as we followed and carried on the legacy of those band members who came before us. Many of our band alumnus went on to accomplish great things in their lives. Many became successful in their respective professional careers, entrepreneurs, Grammy-nominated musicians and a Grammy award winner! Gratitude to those who worked hard everyday to accomplish the simple things in life. Education was a very instrumental part of those successes. Obtaining a college education can be a challenge during these present times. The price of a college education comes at a great cost to many of our young people. Therefore, it is through our music scholarship, where we hope to aid future band members to become scholarly musicians and to continue to perpetuate the legacy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School Mustang Band.

I attended both Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and The University of Dallas in Irving, Texas where I received an MBA in Project Management. Thus, providing me with the opportunity to further my knowledge of Continuous Improvement Procedures as a Continuous Improvement Facilitator by providing project support to Engineers. Thus, obtaining my Green Belt Six Sigma Certification. Currently, I am employed with a Fortune 500 Beverage Manufacturing Corporation. I enjoy writing, studying history /genealogy, going to the movies, bowling, watching and attending college sport events such as football/basketball and a getaway to the beach.

“As a former member of the FDR Mustang Band, I played the Tenor Sax, and was selected to served as a Drill Captain by the Legendary Band Director, Mr. Thomas Ross, Jr, throughout my four years within the Marching Band. My greatest accomplishment as a member of the jazz band was standing before the microphone to perform my first solo during my senior year. Believe in yourself. Believe in your Band Director. This is what participating in a school band program is all about. I graduated in 1980”

 I was a member of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mighty Mustang Band from 1975-1977 under the Band Director Mr. Thomas Ross, Jr. I played trombone in the marching band, jazz band and the symphonic band. The band created friends for life and taught me to be a team player. Being a member of the band developed my leadership skills that I still utilize today. Music is a universal language that can be loved by all. Being part of this organization gives me a chance to help students receive scholarships in music. An example of a positive influence of being a band member was that if a person is dedicated and persistent on achieving a goal, it can be achieved. You must believe in yourself. Being a band member gave me that confidence to succeed in life. To all future band members, remember that if you believe it, you can achieve it !

I began playing tenor sax in the Mighty Mustang Band after a semester of dance at Arts Magnet in Spring 77.  When the Dance Theatre of Harlem came to the Arts Magnet, Mr. Arthur Mitchell chose me to travel to New York to be highlighted as a show case performer.  When I returned to the Arts Magnet, the head of the Dance department asked me to walk with her in the hall and proceeded to inform me that there wasn’t much opportunity for me in the dance world.  I decided not to return. I joined the band. Upon joining the FDR Mustang Band, Professor Thomas Ross Jr. did a tutoring session with me. He asked me questions about myself. I told him of my dance history classes with Twyla Tharp and George Balanchine at the Arts Magnet. He was shocked to learn I had ”done all of that” and was now in the band. He strongly encouraged me to continue dancing and that he would allow me to also continue to participate in the band after school.  I decided to devote my time towards the FDR Mustang Band because I had found that the band was about more than just music. I gained friendships, a whole new culture of thinking, self-discipline, and most of all, I had acquired an ear and appreciation for all types of music. The appreciation for music has continued throughout my life.  I grew to admire and have great respect for Professor Thomas Ross, Jr and the other Band Directors that followed after him.

It’s good to listen to the voice of wisdom and advice. To trust your talent and grow into my full potential.  Serving on this Board affords me the opportunity to reach down motivate and lift up young musicians.  To extend the legacy of this famous band, and its leaders, and to keep it alive. 

I absolutely enjoy treating patients in the community where I grew up, however my first love has always been music. Both of my parents and my maternal grand parents were musicians and singers. My father sang in the Men’s Glee Club while attending Howard University and my mother sang in the church choir while attending Prairie View A&M University. My parents introduced me and my brother to various types and eras of music including jazz, gospel, R&B and classical music. Growing up, I watched and listened to my aunts play at church and I wanted to be a musician just like they were. My parents purchased a piano, hired a piano instructor and my musical journey began. I learned to read and play classical music, but I would also sneak and play some gospel and R&B music by ear. Next, I watched one of my aunts play the clarinet in the marching band every Friday night at her high school football game, so, I asked my parents if I could play the clarinet. I played the clarinet for several years in elementary school until my parents took me to the orthodontist who suggested that I start wearing braces and stop playing the clarinet. I was not thrilled because I enjoyed playing music and being a part of the elementary band. The band director, Mr. Galbreath recommended that I try the bells, so I did. I had the best time playing the bells at Oliver Wendell Holmes under the direction of Mr. John Hardee and being part of the wonderful Tiger Band. Once I left Holmes, I went immediately to Franklin D. Roosevelt High School and became a member of the marching band. The bells were so much fun to play because when I played, they rang out all over the stadium during the football games. I held the office of band secretary in my sophomore year, vice president in my junior year and president of the band in my senior year along with being the band sweetheart in my senior year.

As a member of the Franklin D. Roosevelt marching, stage and symphonic bands, my skills were developed under Mr. Hige Russell, Mr. William Robertson and Mr. Dean Hill. I learned how to work together as a team member and develop lifelong friendships. Also, as a band member, we all learned how to respect and appreciate each other even though we were from different backgrounds. We brought out the best in each other.

To all future band members, become a member of the band and be dedicated, kind and be the best member you can be. It will pay off in the future with wonderful rewards.