How Dr. King’s Life Affected Mine
by Gary L. Wyatt, Sr
[Editor’s Note: We hosted an event at the museum last spring which involved a day-long workshop on community betterment and a public event at night. Gary was one of our invited guests. We followed up with him for Black History Month to ask him how the Civil Rights movement has affected his life and work. Here is his reflection.]
Without question, the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil rights movement has impacted my entire life. I was born in 1965, right in the middle of the civil rights era. I would like to focus on two areas of my life most affected by King’s legacy and the civil rights movement.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s life was not just a moment, it became a movement that would go on to change the world. Most of the racial discrimination and bigotry I experienced occurred from people and systems that did not want to change for the betterment of All people. They weren’t just racists: they jealously guarded their privilege. If there is one thing I could say to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today I would simply say “thank you,” and that would be enough.
I enlisted in the US Navy in 1985 to pursue the American dream. I remember the racial wars that took place on the USS America (CV-66) back in the 70s, as well as issues and controversies happening around the Navy when I enlisted. I ended up serving in the Navy in some capacity from 1985 to 2019. After I was honorably discharged in 1989, I went on to serve in the Navy Reserve for another 30 years. I thus served in the Navy for a total of 34 years, and I also was a federal employee for 30 years with the US Postal Service and the Department of Defense. In short, most of my working career was in government service, where the impact of the civil rights movement was very much on display.
I strongly feel that because of the work of Dr. King and the civil rights movement my life in the US Military was much better and stronger and was also extremely rewarding. Dr. King’s legacy broke down barriers which paved the way for me to be successful in the Navy and the US Postal Service. I remember the lack of diversity in the military culture in 1985; often I was one of the few Black people in my unit. However, despite this, Dr. King’s legacy broke down barriers allowing for a greater diversity in the armed forces. I was promoted multiple times while serving in the US Navy and the Postal Service. The impact of the civil rights movement caused the military to become a brotherhood because it represented all people of all colors and backgrounds. We all have a responsibility to try and make this world better, whether it’s through our work, the causes we champion, the way that we treat people, or the values we impart to the next generation, and Dr. King’s legacy helped prove the American idea all men and women were created equal by the creator.
I’m reminded of a quote “If you can’t help a 100 people then just help one.” I have been inspired by Dr. King, whose work inspired me to a life of service to join in and play my part in my community, and to leave a positive legacy for the next generation. After my personal battle with drugs and alcohol in the early 90s, my life was spiritually changed forever, which caused me to start the North Hill Community House/He Brought Us Out Ministry here in Akron, OH. Our goal is to help all people and to become a beacon of light on the Hill [North Hill Community]. I started a not-for-profit organization in 2001 with the help of the Woodson Center in Washington, DC. Today my wife and I and the ministry run a food pantry that gives out groceries to well over one hundred families a month; we also give free tutoring for kids K-12. We also hosted several community outreach programs, such as the National Night Out against crime and yearly back-to-school events to help supply kids with backpacks and other school supplies. We also host forums on youth crime prevention. Every year we host a Martin Luther King Day of service, as well as the Peace, Love, Justice Day.
A few years back Akron experienced a police shooting that became national news. [Ed. note: In June of 2022 Jayland Walker was shot 46 times by Akron police officers after he led them on a car and foot chase. The shooting was understandably controversial, but the officers were cleared of any wrongdoing. Rev. Wyatt and others were largely responsible for both preventing an eruption of violence after the officers were cleared, but also holding the police accountable.] Our ministry, with the help of the Woodson Center, was able to broker peace among different groups, protesters, and police, and form a unity that helped keep our city from burning down. The murder woke up a lot of people in the city to the issues that the Black community has with the police force. Many of the civil rights groups said that they were surprised to see colleagues/friends who were not usually vocal about injustice suddenly speak out. The tragedy in some ways brought Akronites closer together and broke through the typical apathy about police issues.
The focus of this MLK day was to bring about Peace, Love, Unity, and Justice back to our communities across America. We believe the work being done here in Akron can be a model for the nation, just as Dr. King’s life was. And we wish peace and blessings for all Americans.
By Gary L. Wyatt, Sr.
Gary Wyatt is the Founder and President of He Brought Us Out Ministry, Inc., aka North Hill Community House.
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