Urchin Society: America's Gift to Urban America

Always one to explore history, I jumped at the chance to interview Alprentice David Emory Davis. Mr. Davis' Father was intricately involved in implementing the Black Panther Party's doctrine in Queens, New York. In fact, both his Mother and Father were hard core members, of this mostly controversial organization. Mr. Davis' legacy includes a Father who served as the point person for the Black Panther Panther, managing the entire east coast of the United States.

Prior to sitting down with Mr. Davis, my impression of The Black Panthers, was that they were a radical militant group targeted by J.Edgar Hoover for neutralized via a Counter Intelligence Program, also known as "COINTELPRO." What I didn't know very much about was Panther members providing community services like food kitchens, security protection against the criminal elements of their urban community and the doctrine of self reliance.

According to various accounts, in early 1969, key members of the Black Panther Party were targeted for assassinations, frame-ups, imprisonments and public vilification. Some of the assassinated leaders included Fred Hampton, Mark Clark and Zayd Shakur. Those imprisoned for life included; Geronimo Ji Jaga Pratt, Mumia Abu Jamal and Marshall Eddie Conway. As history would later account, this time period in American History included friends, families and foes - that tell stories like "suborning of perjury, harassing and intimidating of witnesses and withholding of exculpatory evidence as extra-legal measures" of COINTELPRO.

As I sat down with Mr. Davis, my question was, why release such a book right now. His answer; "this is not a Black Panther book it is an attempt to showcase those children of The Black Panther Party or the Panther Cubs as we were called."

Born in Queens, New York on August 12, 1970, Mr. Davis states that he grew up with his grandmother most of his life because his mother worked two and three jobs just to survive. His grandmother was a strong advocate of education and religion while his mother believed in community activism and self reliance. Growing up, he excelled in both football and baseball playing with the Elm-Cor youth program in Corona, football for Springfield Gardens High School - and winning the Bronx Queens Title in 1987 under coach Rodney Schatt.

Davis went on to attend a historically black college (Norfolk State University) majoring in Physical Education. He later joined the United States Navy serving in Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield in 1991 and 1993. In 1994, he returned to his Queens, NY community where he later took over a failing Rosedale Jets Football Association which according to Davis had "lost resources due to white flight and gentrification." He laments that upon take over; "the association's bank account was at negative $11." However, with persistence, street-credibility, steadfastness and his Panther Cub upbringing - he has been able to channel his life experiences to build a model athletic/mentoring program in New York City, that services two-hundred and fifty (250) 7-14 year olds.

Currently boasting 6 football teams, 4 cheerleading squads, 25 male and female coaches - Davis is proud to say that the "Rosedale Jets Football Association (a non-profit) is the only organization of it's kind that takes their kids to camp for an entire week." Their disciplined and signature approach is seen in the khaki pants, ties and vests worn by coaches as well as the success of the young men and women that have gone on to major national colleges both private and public. Davis comments that their legacy speaks for itself as their "well oiled machine" continues to receive accolades from the community and their efforts replicated by other similar organizations.

"After 14 years of politicking," Davis is confident and comments that he understands what it takes to maneuver and make things happen. He smiles as he speaks of President Obama who he believes has permanently "changed the game." He speaks of his business partner of 14 years, Jacques Leandre with pride and is excited to see him using their experiences to help change the community on a larger scale by running for NYC Council. He continues on with excitement attributing the organization's success not only to himself but to a "great team of people you can trust and who can deliver."

When asked about his upcoming book, its title and relevance in this time, he defines the word; "URCHIN" saying that it means "street, throw -away, people cast aside by society" and in his autobiography, he hopes to reach "kids that came up like myself and had to struggle like Tupac said. We were on the run for a while. We had struggles because it was hard. My Mom worked in bars with gangsters and thugs just to make ends meet. So, if people talkin' about a recession now, imagine coming out of the Panthers!"

With book tours planned for New York, DC, Maryland and other states - Alprentice David Emory Davis is a man on a mission. He tells me that he "has learned a lot - the good and bad and it has helped me in my life."

About his expectations for his autobiography Davis opptomistic; "I want my brothers and sisters to support this - we all have a legacy and only you can tell your story. If you have an opportunity to tell your story don't hesitate to tell it."

URCHIN SOCIETY: AMERICA'S GIFT TO URBAN AMERICA
AUGUST 2009 - iUniverse Release
Find it:
Barnes & Noble, B. Dalton & Amazon.com