"Most no-nonsense black mommas like mine often warned us of two things: One, don't you ever think you gonna call my house from jail. Two, I bet not ever wake up and see you on the news."
— Adrian Russell
Adrian Russell grew up at 21st and College Ave., which, 30 years ago, was a pretty tough neighborhood. It was a place where kids had to work to stay away from trouble. But Momma Russell kept a close eye on her eight children while her husband worked as many different jobs as necessary to put food on the table for the family of 10.
Every Sunday, the troop got themselves over to Bethel Tabernacle on Dr. Andrew J. Brown St., a church Russell still attends, and where his grandfather was a deacon years ago. During the week, his mother was at school so much his friends thought she was a teacher. She wasn't, she was a volunteer, but there she could keep a close eye on her brood and help others as well.
His summers were spent at the Martindale Brightwood Library, where he says with a laugh, "You finally got so bored you'd start reading the books!" While his mother oversaw the study habits and grades of her children, his father backed her up 100%, and seven of the eight kids graduated from college, and have meaningful careers, while the other one got his education on the job and became an electrical engineer. Eight for eight: Undefeated.
The world sits back and wonders: what is wrong with kids these days? They hang around in gangs, drop out of school, and far too many get in trouble with the law. I've got an answer that could change all that: Re-read the three paragraphs above. Faith. Family. Love. Work. Goals. Note that none of these things are optional.
Russell is a construction manager at Shiel Sexton, one of the pre-eminent construction companies in Indiana, and a speaker with a lot to say. He loves his work, but has not forgotten kids who may not have been given a strong foundation or preparation for a successful, happy life, so he gives back through his nonprofit, Russell's Building Camp. There, they teach rudimentary construction skills to the kids, sandwiched in with a lot of love and encouragement. He says, "So many have never heard anyone say, 'I'm proud of you.' Too often they don't think they are worth anything because no one ever told them how valuable they really are."
As her kids left the nest, Momma Russell decided she wasn't quite done. She went on over to IUPUI, got a Bachelors degree and then a Masters in Social Work, which she used until her retirement a few years ago. While she may be retired, I'd wager she still has a hand in on what all the kids are doing, because she knows that parenting is the most important job any of us can have. It is the seed, the water, and the sun for a growing child. If everyone had Adrien Russell's parents…
the prisons would be empty,
Jim
