THE BETTER WE KNOW US ...
GREENSBORO-In many situations,
careers are planned, implemented
and maintained. Others become
realities through accidents. With Mr.
Tyrone M. Johnson, Branch Manager
of Northwestern Bank, Greensboro,
the application of both are appro
priate.
Mr. Johnson planned at an early
age to become a banker, yet it was by
accident that he became associated
with his present employer, North
western Bank.
A graduate of North Carolina
Central University, Tyrone was
recruited while a student m college.
He applied for the bank's manage
ment program in 1972, was accepted
and a career was then begun.
other banks in North Carolina as well
as other states. However, Tyrone's
desire was to remain in North
Carolina, providing a growth poten
tial was apparent. By this Tyrone
means that he did not wish to become
just another computer number in a
large institution with no real identifi
cation of contribution. He wanted to
be a part of inovative growth while he
himself made a visible contribution
to both the bank and customers.
His total concept then, as is today,
was to increase minority accounts,
both personal and business. Addi
tionally, Johnson wanted to become
that personal tool of which customers
would feel comfortable while making
applications for loans and other
banking needs.
There had been other offers from He sees the need to give clear
explanations to all customers pro or
con as it relates to information on
banking needs. Also he invites re
quests either verbal or written, on
banking information.
Johnson explains that being in the
banking industry has given him a
better understanding of the interact
ing of people. He has nine people
under his supervision and he encou
rages the interaction both ways...
employee and supervision and/or
employee to customers. "This way,"
he says, "one receives a total picture
from customers and the bank through
an open line of communication."
When asked about his feelings of
moving for advancement, Johnson
said,"Northwestern Bank's programs
are growing and that he would like to
remain with his present employer
rather than relocate with a larger
bank and only become just another
face in the crowd."
He quickly points out that impro
vements can be seen and opportuni
ties are more numerous than in the
past.
He recommends that Blacks apply
to the training program which are
recruiting on many Black campuses
throughout the state.
In answering the question concern
ing advancements, he stressed,
aggressiveness, "Accept the chal
lenge and carry out your duties.
He said, "One must develop skills ana
abilities, and with some luck, the
doors will open."
He accepted the challenge and now
he carries the responsibilities.
When we learn to know the Tyrone
M. Johnson, THE BETTER WE
KNOW US.
^0LLME^V,I\013
TRIBUNAL AID
A VIABLE, VALID REQUIREMENT
RESPONDING TO
BLACK NORTH CAROLINA
WTDINESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1,1976
$6.00 PER YEAR
25 CENTS
JVIEMBER^__J>Jorth_Caj;olina^laok^ublis|^^
North Carolina Press Association. Inc.
The 1976 Editions of THE TRIBUNAL AID will
(le(iicaled to America s bicentennial Cele-
bration. >vith emphasis on contributions our Race
has made in the making of America, from
birth to the present.
In 1976 there should not be a need to lift these
contributions from isolat«‘d sources. Our past
should ne internoven into the fabric of our ci
vilization, bi'cause we are, except for the Indian.
America's oldest ethnic minority.
We have helped make America what it was.
and what it is, since the founding of Virginia.
We ha\e been a factor in many major issues in
our history. There have been many misd*eds
against us, yet we have been able to live through
them and fight back. This is living proof of our
history.
Our role in the making of America is neither
well known or correctly known. Many positive
contributions ha\e escaped historians and have
not found their wav into the pages of many
history books.
We will strive to give ‘readers, Black and
white, many little-lnown facts alnmt our past
anl it is hoped that a pr>per jM*rsp«*rtive of our
history will be of vaiue to persons who rnpy
belie\e that as Black people we have aft urt-=
w(»rthy past; and hence, no strong ciaiirts to
all rights of other Americans.
Faye Ashe. Bhick History Editor
FLORENCE SCHOOL AND COMMUN ITY
"What is now the Florence Primary’
School has gone through many
changes since its beginning as an all
Black School in the Florence Commu
nity. Mrs. Joanne Delaune, School
Historian was unable to establish the
exact date of the first school. She has
through her research been able to
compile the history of the Florence
School and its community. Mrs.
Delaune spent many hours going
through school records, books and
interviews with local citizens. On
May 20th her research ended with the
presentation of the book to the P.T.A.
which is now in the school library. All
facts cannot be presented here, but
you are invited to visit the Library and
read the History of the Florence
School and community.
Continued From Last Week
In 1912, Leon Harris and members
of the community remodeled this
building at this time an adult educa
tion program was initiated.
In 1914, the Florence Rosenwald
School was built along side the Flo
rence Methodist Church. Three
rooms, frame building, slate black
boards, double seats of varied size
were an innovation. These seats had
iron legs which were screwed into the
floor to make them stationary. In this
school there were two teachers usual
ly a man and his wife. Grades 1 thru
6 were taught.
Teachers included:
Clara Belle Mock, Avery Robinson,
Beulah Plummer, Miss Willie Holt,
Miss Lilian Harbson, Rev. Compton,
Viola Boone and Florence Chipman
Lucus.
Early Principals were:
Mr.Frank Lash, Gladys MoCullum,
Miss Fannie McCullom and assistant.
The last principal at this Florence
School was Mr. Ben Chavis.
Early chior director
Florence Rosenwald was fortunate to
have a pioneer in the field of music.
This man is referred to as the founder
of the Florence Methodist Church
Chior. Mr. Reeder was this man, he
was the father of Mrs. Edward
Lindsay. Some of his early chior
members were Mr. Henry Jeffers,
tenor; lead singer, Fannie Palmer,
Lucille Raper.
P.T.A. Charter
Although there are nor permanent
record in State P.T.A. Office, it is
believed that the first Florence P.T.A.
Charter was achieved at this school.
Lizzie Fuller, Leiser Cole severed
among the first P.T.A. Presidents.
1919 - The black students from
Jamestown and Sapptown were con
solidated into this Florence school.
1924 - It is believed that Guilford
County bus service began in this area.
In a flat top Model T. Ford, Lloyd
Lomax was that bus driver, later
Blanche Jeffers drove a model T.
Blanche Jeffers was one of Miss
Fannie McCullen's students at the
time.
1927 - The Guilford County Board of
Education saw the need for a new and
larger school. Ernest J. White, a
member of the Deep River Friends
Meeting and a life lone resident of
Florence-Deep River Community was
hired in 1928 to supervise construc
tion. Using carpenters, electricians
and masons from the area, construc
tion of a brick-veneered building was
finished in 1929. This building con
sisted of four large classrooms, an
auditorium, two small rooms and a
long hall extending the length of the
building, and served both elementary
and high school children.
Mr. Walter McNair was principal
and his teachers included Miss
Georgeanna Frazier, Mrs. Monte
Raiford, Mrs. Helen Boykins. Later
in 1930, black children from Colfax
and Popular communities were bused
to Florence to add further consolida
tion . The new school' s chior are vivid
memories of Nannie Sue Price, lead
solo who acquired a scholarship at
Palmer Memorial Insitute in Sedelia,
North Carolina. Harold Joyner,
James Bush, Deborah Fuller, Alfred
Bush will also remember the early
years of Florence's choir. Alfred
Bush is now a professional performer
living in New York. The Florence
choir went on to broadcast over
station WBIG, with the above men
tioned and also Manetta Lomax,
Annie Fuller, William Sapp, Rev.
William Fuller, Thelma Sapp, Dianne
Hairston. They also gave concerts at
The Carolina Theater, A&T College -
receiving many awards of Superior
in District Competition.
School Committee
Carl Charles, Roy Cole, Wil Fuller.
1935 - Mr. J. Earl Whitley became
principal and under his capable
PART TWO
supervision, Florence school prosper
ed. The P.T.A. became a valuable
part in the school's activities as Mrs.
Lesier R. Cole became President of
this body and served in this capacity
for 20 years. She was the daughter of
Pressley and Mary Giles Raper and
followed her father's footsteps as a
community leader
1940 - Basketball team under Mr.
Whitley was considered tops! Sports
became an intergral part of their pro
gram.
This team wom championship under
the direction of Vigril Stroud.
Melba Whitley, wife of principal
J.E. Whitley came to Florence as a
teacher and choir leader. Mrs. Helen
Gannorway (Cole) was one of the
teachers who also directed the chior
for younger children. By this time the
teaching staff had increased to six.
1945 - Some of these early students
who were lucky to be seen in the May
1945 Florence School newspaper
(Torch) are listed on Honor Roll.
1947 - Reahzing a need for lunches for
the school children, the community
with the guidance of Mr. Whitley
went to work to build a cafeteria.
Vegetables were canned and sold to
aid the building fund which the
community started. Additional cinder
blocks were bought by each family of
Florence. They collected scrap iron to
sell to aid this building fund. After
funds were acquired, Mr. Whitley
demonstrated mortar mixing and a
block building was erected. Mrs.
Annice Smith managed this cafeteria
from 1948 to 1951. Additional funds
were needed for the operation. So
additional funds were raised.
One of these funds raising ideas
was a baby contest. Entering their
"pride and joy" the parents raised
money in behalf of their child. The
winners of this contest were:
1st prize - Annie Louise Dick
2nd prize - Darrel Taylor
3rd prize - Dwight Sapp
4th prize - Lucille Raleigh's
grandchild.
1948 - Money was applied for continu
ing the cafeteria through the Guilford
County School Board. At this time,
Federal Funding was established with
certain restrictions, for a large pantry
to be built. Once again, community
volunteers tooK on this task. Lee and
David Cole were just a few of the
many carpenters.
Because of the long distances invol
ved in getting to and from school
many black children were discourag
ed and dropped out of school.
1950 - During the late '50's, the prin
cipal serving Florence school was
G. D. Tillman and Victor Blackburn.
We have been unable to obtain infor
mation for this period.
1955 - Mrs. Ruth Plummer, Graduate
of A & T University, Elementary
Education, minor Music - came to
Florence. She continued the music
program in the school and was very
instrumental in founding the Florence
school band. Mrs. Hannor was choir
director.
1957 - Marie Fuller Clauson started
driving the school bus for Florence.
Also, with the transportation depart
ment at this time was Mr. E. R.
Michauex.
1958 - A 1941 graduate of Florence
returns, Thelma Sapp Bridges. She
taught here from 1958 to 1966.
Mr. S. R. McLendon, principal of
florence Primary School since Sept
ember 1964, has seen many changes.
When Mr. McLendon became princi
pal in 1964, Florence School had
grades 1-9 with an all Black staff and
student body. Two years later,
grades 7, 8 and 9 dropped, and the
school became an Elementary School.
In 1968, Florence School became
the first school with public kinder
garten, and in 1969 the kindergaten
was funded by ESEA Title I, a federal
program.
In 1965, Florence Elementary
School became Florence Primary
School, with grades K-2. This year
the third grade has been added, the
staff consist of fourteen teachers, a
reading teacher and librarian. The
students will benefit from the services
of a music teacher, learning disabili
ties teacher and a speech therapist,
and four aides. Mr. McLendon refers
to his staff as the Florence Family.
Continued Next Week
1930 CLASS
1940 CLASS
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