Eric Mann: Quality leadership has direct link to the past as YMCA celebrates 75 years

It’s abundantly clear that right now, perhaps more than any other time in recent memory, we desperately need quality leaders. There’s a painful shortage of men and women with the fortitude and wisdom to steward society through uncertain times into the next era of growth. It’s therefore incumbent upon us as a community to develop and empower the next generation of leaders with the critical resources they need to move us forward.

How do we do that? We can start by revisiting what began during widespread segregation on July 19, 1948.

That day marked the opening of the Colored Branch of the YMCA. It was created to serve as a resource to the African American community in the Northside neighborhood of a segregated Jacksonville. It was operated by a single man — Jessie Word — who did everything from administrative duties to coaching youth sports programs to teaching swimming to underprivileged children. Little did he know, his efforts would lay the groundwork for a critical cornerstone of connection within a previously underserved population.

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Less than 10 years later, the branch was renamed the James Weldon Johnson Family YMCA, and for the next 66 years it continued to serve as an invaluable access point to programs and services to improve health and well-being. Major investments to better serve community needs include the addition of a Healthy Living Center, Teen Center and a new swimming pool; plus, the First Coast YMCA created the YMCA Tiger Academy, a public charter school that provides invaluable education for pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students.

The foundation for the Johnson Y’s enduring commitment to uplift its neighbors was built by legendary leaders in the YMCA movement who believed in strengthening the community. Directors like Thomas Hargrave, Norman Urquhart, Julius Jones and Lawrence Jones, as well as volunteer leaders like Hastings Williams, Greg Atwater, Wanda Jones, Mincy Pollock and Dr. Shavondra Huggins. These individuals all successfully answered a key question: “How can I make a difference?”

We all need to ask ourselves that question, and the answer doesn’t have to be a grandiose gesture — it can start with those closest to you.

My response to that question became even more personal two years ago. Like myself and many residents here, a lot of my closest friends are not Jacksonville natives. But also like myself, my closest friends recognize the integral role the Johnson Family YMCA plays in developing the next generation.

So last year I created the President’s Circle. I brought together a group of my friends, 27 of whom raised their hands agreeing to become mentors of young Black boys and girls at the Johnson Family YMCA. In order to be a member of the President's Circle, we asked each of them for a $2,000 contribution, with every penny going towards the crucial programs and classes offered at the branch.

Four of those first 27 are now on the board of directors at the Johnson Y, where they can further impact programming that equips individuals and families with the necessary resources to live their best life.

It’s worth noting that leaders aren’t created overnight — they need cultivating. I mentioned Julius Jones earlier; he served as the youth program director at the Johnson Y from 1962-1967. He worked his way up through the YMCA system and eventually served as president and CEO of the YMCA of Pittsburgh (Pa.) for 22 years.

Throughout that period, he took the time to mentor future leaders within the organization, including a young executive who would eventually become the author of the article you’re reading right now. I’ve seen the power of fostering meaningful relationships, especially through mentorship, and I can’t stress enough its importance within our community.

As we celebrate Black History Month, I want to go back to that day 75 years ago when there was clear division within our community. Just like today, there was a real need for leadership and the role models to help develop them. Jessie Word answered the call and committed to leading the Colored Branch of the YMCA and a young generation, referring to them as “they that go forward.”

Let’s now seize our opportunity to similarly empower our youth and ignite their passion to influence positive change and create better communities for all.

Eric Mann, CEO and president, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast 

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. 

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Leadership efforts from segregation era more important than ever