The Legendary Alonzo W. Bates - Civil Rights Activist and Educator who Gave his all for his City of Detroit

 

In Recognition of Alonzo W. “Lonnie” Bates – October 7, 1939 to January 25th, 2024. 

By Richard C. Clement Detroit Alumni Chapter of Alabama State University 1975-1979 

The Detroit Alumni Chapter of Alabama State University sends our prayers and condolences to the family of Alumnus Alonzo W. Bates, Class of 1964. Mr. Bates was an education major who used his training to uplift his people and community. He was a star baseball player and was given the nickname of “Big Catch” by his teammates because of his stellar play at the catcher position.

As a student he marched along with warriors like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fellow alumni member Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, and Reverend Jim Holley of Detroit, getting hit with jail time, shotgun pellets, tasers, water hoses, dogs, and other indignities because they were protesting unjust laws in America by means of registering citizens to vote in all elections. While protesting, going to class, and playing baseball, he became a proud member of the Beta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

As an educator and board member in the Detroit Public School system, he inspired students with a mantra of: that in order to be great, just do something great for somebody else. (3)  

Some of us never got the honor to meet him in person however, if you were an employee and/or, a resident of the City of Detroit in the 1960 through 2005, his signature was everywhere! He was a big supporter of the Department of Recreations’ aquatics program as a manager and a joy to work with. He was a powerful man that initiated ordinances, laws, and policies that benefited citizens as a member of the Detroit City Council.

As Quoted in a Detroit Free Press Article of 1977(1)

“He was featured in the 1977 Free Press article titled: “Who is Alonzo Bates and why do people (mostly white) get so mad at him?” The subhead of the article said: “The outspoken school board member has made his share of enemies. But he can do no wrong for his mostly black constituents in Region 8.” The article went on to describe him as: “Outspoken. Outraged. Outrageous. At times Alonzo Winfield Bates seems to be the Adam Clayton Powell of Detroit schools, but it is a resemblance that is mostly superficial. Bates doesn’t drink, smoke or party, doesn’t go in for flashy clothes or fancy cars, and lives in a tumbledown neighborhood. He is, however, a powerful man, with a seat on the central board of education and the chairman of Region 8.”

His legacy must be remembered as a lesson on getting up after you have fallen down. After a further review of the treatment of Mr. Bates by the court, employees working remotely from the office and, failure to file a federal income tax return would not have been a federal crime. In retrospect $92,000 is a small amount of money for a 33-month sentence in federal prison.(2).

Just like a bank loan and bible passages, forgiveness is a healing of pain and, we must remember Alonzo W. Bates for his heart and dedication to better lives in his community. His efforts deserve respect and, the detailed analysis from scholars, students, the citizens of the City of Detroit and, all those he helped to make this world a better place to live in.

Rest In Power 

Alonzo W. “Lonnie” Bates, Alabama State University Alumni 1960-1964

The Honorable Judge Greg Mathis Tribute to Alonzo W. Bates 

References:

1. Deadline Detroit February 2024 Website https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/31670/former_detroit_council_member_and_civil_rights_activist_alonzo_bates_who_was_convicted_of_corruption_dies_at_84
2. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Plaintiff, vs ALONZO BATES, Defendant Case No: 05-81027 Honorable Victoria A. Roberts – Sentencing Opinion https://www.mied.uscourts.gov/PDFFIles/Bates%20Sentencing%20Opinion.pdf 
3. Derik Williams – WVAS 90.7 Radio Host  2018-2023 – Derik TV sign off segment (D.TV.)
4. ML Elrick mlelrick@freepress.com / @elrick - Detroit Free Press "Time to erase some shame as schools play the name game" www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/ml-elrick/2022/12/04/its-time-for-detroit-schools-to-erase-the-disgrace-of-lonnie-bates/69692993007/    

Cannabis Career Training in Higher Education At Another HBCU?

Possible Career Training Programs in Cannabis at Alabama State University

If the Integrated Facility License application is approved by the State of Alabama, Alabama State University will join the ranks of Colleges and Universities offering Career Training in all Aspects of the Marijuana Industry.

By Richard C. Clement – ASU Class of 1979

Alabama State University in a partnership with Green Light LLC have collaborated to apply for a Integrated Facility License in the State of Alabama. This partnership by the name of Hornet Medicinal LLC, will generate up to 100 scholarships if approved by the Alabama Medical Marijuana Commission. This company has a board of directors that is 51% owned by Dr. Quinton Ross.

Currently the university has an Industrial Hemp Program with a 7200 sq ft growing facility located on campus. If the license is approved by the state, the College of Business Administration will integrate courses such as management, marketing, finance and, Information Technology to careers within the Cannabis industry. In addition to current programs in the College of Science and Technology, the scholarships will fund careers in medical uses on diseases and industrial uses of the cannabis plant. Not to forget about the additional curriculum within the Criminal Justice program for inspectors and compliance.

The major benefit to the taxpayers is that graduates of these programs will be returning to their community as business owners creating jobs, teachers teaching courses in science, math and law, compliance inspectors, budtenders, etc, giving back to their community.

In order to expedite the process, I strongly encourage you to contact an Alabama Legislature member in the Senate and the House to support the creation of jobs by approving an Integrated Growers License for Hornet Medicinal LLC. Extra attention will be given to people who call and live in the district of the Senator or Representative because they will be looking for your vote. With your call, email, and letter in support of this effort, you will help will bring benefits to their constituents in Alabama, citizens of the United States, and, enhance the planet we call earth.

State of Alabama – House of Representatives Website

State of Alabama – Senate Website

Governor Kay Ivey – Governor’s Office Website

Presentation by Hornet Medicinal LLC – President Quinton Ross with Alabama State University Faculty and Administration Members.

A presentation from Hornet Medicinal LLC President Quinton Ross with Alabama State University administrators and faculty members, regarding the creation of academic programs in Cannabis on December 6th, 2023, before the State of Alabama, Medical Cannabis Commission.

Please use the time slider and skip to 5:46:50 to view the Hornet Medicinal LLC presentation at the beginning.

#LetWeedomRing from Montgomery Alabama!