He was up against enormous odds:  the likes of which have been recorded for time immemorial.  King did not miss the moment.  And while we are a better country because of what he and countless others from all races, ethnicities, and experiences sacrificed, there are still too many occasions where we have missed “the moments” of our time.

Just over a week ago, a moment came for the African American Empowerment Fund (AAEF), an organization of men and women from all backgrounds that address causes of consequence to the African American community.  Hockessin Colored School (HCS) #107, a school that played a pivotal role in the Brown v. Board of Education ruling and now operating as the Hockessin Community Center, was facing imminent Sheriff’s Sale due to a debt for work done by a local construction company.

As reported by the News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware, it was a sad irony. A nonprofit operating in a historic school building can’t meet its obligation on work already performed by a business which has an African American as one of its owners.  It’s worth noting that this is a business whose principals openly acknowledge -- like literally every American should – a direct correlation to their ability to live in a world free from de jure racial separation to the events surrounding HCS #107 in 1951.

In 1951, Sarah Bulah filed suit on behalf of her daughter, Shirley, claiming that the HCS #107 and others like it were inferior to white schools.  A similar case was jointly filed by parents of black students from Claymont.  Both cases were brought by legendary civil rights lawyer Louis Redding and were heard by Judge Collins Seitz in Delaware’s Court of Chancery.  The Delaware cases were part of a group of cases appealed to the United States Supreme Court in Brown v Board (1954) but only in the Delaware did the lower court rule in favor of the plaintiff and require that black students be admitted to white schools.

One could argue that the “separate but equal” doctrine might have never been struck down without: the Bulah Family and their experiences at HCS #107; Louis Redding and his pursuit of educational equality in a Jim Crow Delaware; Judge Seitz and his thoughtful decision in the lower court; and Justice Marshall’s wisdom in the Brown v. Board decision.   A defeat could have had ripple effects in every other part of race relations in a mid 20^th century America and significantly stalled a burgeoning civil rights movement that would ultimately beget the legacy of Dr. King and spark a nation to recognize its best self.   Thankfully, no one in that equation missed their moment.

Just last Saturday, upon learning of the crisis at HCS #107, the AAEF authorized a short-term $100K matching loan to benefit the school. The move allowed Josh Martin of Potter Anderson & Corroon and former Superior Court Judge to successfully negotiate with the construction company and delay the Sheriff’s Sale.  We now have until March 31^st to save the school.

This is not how AAEF would typically get involved. However, we believed that remaining silent on this project would have been of significant moral hazard.  It would have also dishonored the memory of so many people we know -- and don’t know -- who sacrificed their lives because of their commitment to social justice and equity.

As a community, our work is not complete. Last week, Judge Martin and former Municipal Court Judge Lenny Williams, launched a fund called the Friends of Hockessin Colored School #107.  Administered by the Delaware Community Foundation, Friends of HCS #107 allows our community to get involved through charitable contribution to save this important landmark.  The goal is $100,000 to match the efforts of AAEF.   I am pleased to announce the first two donors to Friends of HCS #107 are Attorney C.J. Seitz, son of the late Judge Seitz and Sammy Congo, one of the principals in Petrucon Construction.

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Dr. King's birthday then to follow their lead and preserve HCS #107.”^[2] It is the “oughtness that forever confronts us.”  Don’t miss your moment!

*****

^[1] Dr. Tony Allen is the Chairman of the African American Empowerment Fund, Founding President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and the 2003 Whitney M. Young Awardee for Advancing Racial Equality, the National Urban League’s highest honor.

^[2] Members of the public can donate to the Friends of Hockessin Colored School #107 online at www.delcf.org or send checks payable to Delaware Community Foundation, 100 W. 10^th Street, Suite 115, PO Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899. Please note Colored School #107 Fund in the memo line.