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Toledo City Council President, Wilma Brown arrived in Toledo
in 1950 at age 14 from Birmingham, Alabama where Jim Crow
racial segregation and discrimination were legal, an
accepted way of life, and where segregationists remained
powerful forces in business, government and politics.
In such
an environment where the political power to accomplish
African-American goals was meager, survival often required
the ability to discern and develop true allies, adroitness
in deciding whether to use ‘principle versus pragmatism’ as
a strategy decision or even the reluctant accommodation of
status quo discrimination policies.
Brown’s
leadership style builds upon this history and reflects her
self-described identity as one who crosses traditional
boundaries to build coalitions necessary to address the
current problems we face.
“The
black community was ecstatic when I was elected president of
City Council, but in order to be successful and to get
there, I received help from a wider area than the
African-American community,” she states. “I had a plan and a
broad base of backing because you always need back-up
support.”
Continuing on the theme of multi-cultural assistance, Brown
adds: “I also spend time and give money to support a lot of
things. I network a lot with little known organizations –
some very small – as well as with larger corporate sponsors,
not limited to the black community.”
Yet with
the broader support has come increased leadership
challenges. “I have received criticism from within the black
community as well as from without,” Brown reflects. “I get
the ridicule, caricatures and negative stereotypes from
those like WSPD Radio. And I receive more envy than support
from the black community, and those who lack trust that you
will actually do something. The heat and micro-scrutiny that
I get is unreal, yet when projects like the Marina District
or Steam Plant don’t come to fruition there is not the same
level of criticism for those who are not African-American
and female.”
Although
a faithful member of Indiana Avenue Baptist Church and close
friend of her pastor, Rev. John E. Roberts, Brown says that
she goes beyond church and spiritual solutions to deal with
her challenges. “I use criticism to my advantage – don’t
complain, learn and then avoid people or situations the next
time. A lot of people underestimate me, but often that’s how
I accomplish things,” she proudly reveals.
A great
deal of the power wielded by Brown, as Council president,
lies in her authority to determine the agenda (including her
own) of legislation, projects and plans presented to council
by its members. An additional challenge comes from the
skepticism of those who, for generations, have experienced
rejection of proposals which benefit the black community on
the basis of cost – labeled as being too expensive – or lack
of universal assistance for everyone rather than targeted
help for those most underserved or hit the hardest.
“Another
thing that I do, is pick my battles,” Councilwoman Brown
responds. “Usually, they are those I feel I can win. I also
have to compromise and go along with things that are not my
top choice, support those who support me and engage in give
and take. For example, I support Mayor Bell 100 percent and
especially his plan for the City’s budget crisis. I don’t
want to levy taxes, lay off employees or reverse previous
agreements but we may have to do it and I support whatever
is necessary to survive.”
Brown’s
shrewd sense of survival has provided her with a successful
career that has included leadership positions with the Girl
Scouts, the Toledo Public School Board and Toledo City
Council. She will be term-limited after her current term
ends. At a time when we cannot afford to ignore potential
future leaders, what strategies or wisdom can be passed on
to deal with the lack of leadership succession in Toledo’s
African-American community?
“When I
came from Birmingham, I only had one year of college and
couldn’t get a job,” she lectures. “I finally got one by
volunteering. I always tell people don’t expect to get paid
for everything you do. Whatever I have achieved it has been
because of people – all kinds of people.”
Yet
Brown’s legacy will be the Brownstones Condominium Project
and revitalization of the Dorr Street Corridor (which
appears to be proceding at a snail’s pace) and whatever new
policies or projects can be implemented utilizing the power
inherent in her position as Council president.
“You
can’t always second guess people and wait around for others
to do what they promised to do,” she admonishes. “You have
to move forward. Be prepared. Go for what you want, and take
chances.”
That is
true wisdom.
Only the
strong survive. But the strength lies in utilizing power to
move forward to create opportunities for others by those
privileged enough to have access to it and not merely
surviving by simply maintaining and going nowhere.
Contact
Rev. Dr. Donald Perryman at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
New Paradigms of
Power: African-American Women Walking On Water, part I
New Paradigms of Power: African American Women Walking On
Water, part II |
