Intervene with Arlena Jones - Prof. Gertrude Grant Croom, Griot of Grand Rapids

Updated 4 days ago

Hosts Arlena and Leon Jones welcome their honored guest, Professor Croom, a distinguished educator and activist. Professor Croom shares her remarkable life story, from growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, to becoming a respected figure in academia and the Civil Rights Movement. She reflects on the influence of her mother, her experiences during the movement, and her journey through education. The discussion also highlights Professor Croom's dedication to empowering underserved youth by providing them with opportunities to pursue careers in trades and technical fields. With anecdotes of her travels, teaching, and community involvement, Professor Crooms's story is a testament to resilience and the power of education.

Chapters

Introduction and Welcome (00:00:12)
The Intervene Show begins with a welcome by Arlena Jones and her brother Leon, introducing the special guest, Professor Croom.

Arlena Jones welcomes the audience to the Intervene Show, alongside her brother Leon Jones. They introduce their special guest, Professor Croom, who is set to share her experiences and insights.
Professor Croom's Introduction (00:00:23)
Professor Croom introduces herself, sharing her background and the origin of her title 'The Grill' from her experiences in West Africa.

Professor Croom talks about her background, including her roots in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and how she adopted the title 'The Grill' after visiting Ghana and being inspired by a wise figure respected by the community.
Early Life and Family Influence (00:00:45)
Croom discusses her upbringing in Alabama, her mother's influence, and the challenges faced by her family after her father's death.

Professor Croom shares stories from his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama, emphasizing her mother's determination to educate her children despite financial hardships, and how she was advanced in school due to her efforts.
Educational Journey and Achievements (00:01:42)
Croom talks about her school achievements, her involvement in the honor society, and being elected student body president.

Croom reminisces about her involvement in school activities, being part of the honor society, and becoming the first female student body president at her high school, which were significant milestones in her educational journey.
Civil Rights Movement Participation (00:02:23)
Krum describes his participation in the Civil Rights Movement and the impact it had on his life and perspective.

He shares experiences of walking to mass meetings, listening to Dr. King, and the importance of his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement during his teenage years, highlighting the personal and community impact.
College Life and Sorority Involvement (00:04:00)
Croom discusses her college years, scholarship challenges, and joining Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Croom recounts her college experience at Knoxville College, the financial struggles her family faced, and the significance of joining Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which played a pivotal role in her college life.
Professional Life and Speaking Engagements (00:05:01)
Croom talks about her professional speaking engagements and the encouragement from her daughters to formalize it as a business.

She shares how her daughters motivated her to turn her speaking engagements into a business, leading to opportunities such as speaking at a church and law school in New York, emphasizing the importance of community influence in her success.
Conclusion and Reflections (00:06:10)
Croom concludes with reflections on her life journey, the role of community, and future aspirations.

Croom reflects on her life's journey, the support from her family and community, and her aspirations for the future, including continuing her speaking engagements and impacting young people through her experiences.
Introduction to the School Program (00:27:09)
The speaker introduces a school program where students are taken to plays and parents are involved.

The speaker mentions a school where students were taken on field trips to plays and parents actively participated by setting up meals on Saturdays. This involvement led many students to attend college.
Community Involvement and Impact (00:27:15)
The community effort at Messiah Baptist Church helped many students pursue higher education.

At Messiah Baptist Church, the community came together to support students. Parents helped with meals, friends volunteered to teach, and many students went on to college, demonstrating the program's success.
Program Conclusion and Reflection (00:27:41)
The speaker reflects on the successful program that ended due to personal reasons.

The speaker reflects on the rewarding experience of running the educational program for four years, which had to end when their youngest child was born. The program was impactful and brought joy.
Current Church Banking Program (00:28:02)
The speaker discusses a banking program for children at Brown Hutch Ministries.

At Brown Hutch Ministries, a banking program was established to teach children financial responsibility. Each child had their own account, and the program was a success until the pandemic ended it.
Pandemic's Impact on Community Programs (00:30:00)
The pandemic halted many community programs, including the successful banking program.

The pandemic forced the closure of many community initiatives, including the banking program, as gatherings were restricted. This was a significant setback for the ongoing community efforts.
Cultural Exchange Events (00:31:00)
The speaker highlights cultural exchange events like Cinco de Mayo at the church.

The church organized cultural events such as Cinco de Mayo, where children and families from different backgrounds shared music, dance, and food, fostering community integration and celebration.
Teaching and International Experience (00:31:18)
The speaker shares their teaching experiences and international travels for educational purposes.

The speaker taught political science and anthropology and traveled extensively to places like Ghana and China for scholarly reasons, gaining insights and bringing back knowledge to students.
Community College's Role in Personal Growth (00:34:33)
Grand Rapids Community College supported the speaker's professional development and trips.

Grand Rapids Community College was instrumental in the speaker's professional growth, funding trips for educational purposes and allowing the speaker to bring valuable experiences back to the classroom.
Future Plans for Supporting Youth (00:38:09)
The speaker outlines plans to support underserved youth through career-focused initiatives.

The speaker aims to help lower-income youth explore trade and tech careers, providing mentorship and opportunities for early enrollment in community college programs.
Emphasis on Trades and Early Enrollment (00:41:04)
The speaker emphasizes the importance of trade skills and early college enrollment for youth.

Recognizing the lack of diversity in trade programs, the speaker advocates for early trade education for minority youth, aligning them with lucrative career paths and early college credits.
Civil Rights Involvement and Mentorship (00:47:01)
The speaker discusses their involvement in the civil rights movement and desire to mentor youth.

Having been actively involved in the civil rights movement, the speaker wishes to share their experiences and encourage young people to strive for higher education and personal success.
Community Service and Recognition (00:50:00)
The speaker's community service efforts have been recognized with awards.

The speaker has received awards for their community service, including efforts in voter registration and healthcare enrollment, highlighting their commitment to civic engagement and public service.
Writing and Community Engagement (00:54:10)
The speaker discusses their approach to journalism, emphasizing clarity in their articles and engaging with the community through writing.

The speaker reflects on their career as a journalist, highlighting how they would write articles with clear explanations to address community questions. They discuss the importance of being recognized in the community and how their articles connected with the readers, often leading to recognition by strangers who knew them through their writing.
Teaching Career and Simplifying Complex Topics (00:54:31)
The speaker talks about their teaching career, explaining complex subjects in political science to make them accessible to students.

The speaker outlines their teaching experience, which includes subjects like anthropology, state and local government, and international relations. They emphasize their ability to take complex topics and simplify them for students and the general public, making subjects like foreign policy and international relations understandable.
Awards and Recognition (00:55:01)
The speaker shares their achievements, including being awarded for their journalism and teaching excellence.

The speaker recounts receiving an award for journalism and being recognized as the professor of the year at a community college. They express pride in these accomplishments and reflect on the impact of their work in both writing and teaching.
Becoming Division Chair (00:55:23)
The speaker describes their appointment as the first female and African-American division chair at a college.

The speaker details their appointment as the chairperson of the social science division, overseeing multiple departments. They were appointed by the college president while attending a family event out of state, highlighting the significance of being the first female and African-American to hold this position.
Harvard Summer Program (00:56:09)
The speaker talks about attending a summer program at Harvard, focusing on Chinese health systems.

The speaker shares their experience of being selected for a study trip to Harvard University, where they learned about Chinese health programs and cultural approaches to medicine. This opportunity was linked to their teaching in anthropology and was funded by their college.
Early Education and Family Influence (00:57:05)
The speaker reflects on their early education, influenced by their mother, and the importance of family in learning.

The speaker reminisces about being taught by their mother at home before formal schooling, allowing them to skip kindergarten and excel in school. They share a story of being promoted to third grade early due to their advanced knowledge, attributing their success to their mother's early teachings.
Grandchildren's Achievements (00:57:37)
The speaker shares stories about their talented grandchildren and their various achievements.

The speaker proudly talks about their grandchildren, one of whom plays the trumpet and engages in a university program, while another teaches chess to adults, having learned the game at a young age. These stories highlight the family's tradition of excellence and talent.
Civil Rights Courage and Legacy (00:59:08)
The speaker reflects on their participation in the civil rights movement and the importance of courage.

The speaker recounts their involvement in the civil rights movement, emphasizing their courage and the lack of fear they felt. They discuss the importance of nonviolence, the support from their family, and the lasting impact of their actions during this pivotal time in history.
Words of Wisdom and Encouragement (01:10:00)
The speaker offers inspirational advice, encouraging fearlessness and resilience in the face of challenges.

As the program concludes, the speaker imparts words of encouragement, urging young people and the community to be fearless and believe in their ability to overcome obstacles. They emphasize the importance of courage, faith, and perseverance, drawing from their personal experiences and achievements.
Career Opportunities and AI Integration (01:17:39)
Discussion about the importance of career stability and integrating AI without fear of replacement, emphasizing the coexistence with technology.

The speakers discuss the importance of creating stable career opportunities while integrating AI technologies. They emphasize that the goal is not to replace individuals with AI but to work alongside it. The conversation highlights the importance of ensuring career stability and how AI can augment human capabilities.
Financial Planning for Retirement and Healthcare (01:18:19)
Emphasis on the need for financial planning to ensure quality of life and healthcare in retirement, considering the increasing medical costs with age.

The discussion shifts to the significance of financial planning for retirement. The speakers highlight the necessity of having enough savings and investments to secure a good quality of life and healthcare as one ages. They discuss the challenges of maintaining financial security and the steps needed to prepare for retirement.
Historical Financial Barriers and Reparations (01:19:21)
Acknowledgment of past financial barriers for black individuals and the need for reparations to address historical inequities.

The conversation acknowledges the historical barriers faced by black individuals in accessing financial services such as banking, stock investments, and insurance. The speakers argue for reparations as a means to address these historical inequities and to balance the economic disparities created over time.
Importance of Generational Planning (01:19:56)
Discussion on the importance of planning for future generations, ensuring financial stability and opportunities for descendants.

The speakers discuss the critical importance of planning not just for personal financial stability but also for future generations. They stress the need to ensure that one's children, grandchildren, and beyond are financially secure and have opportunities to thrive. This involves careful planning and investment in education and careers.
Promoting Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership (01:20:15)
Encouragement for the younger generation to pursue entrepreneurship and create their own businesses, leveraging acquired skills.

There is a strong encouragement for young people to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path. The speakers highlight the benefits of creating one's own business and hiring others, which can lead to economic empowerment and community development. This is seen as a way to leverage skills acquired through education and training.
Personal Hobbies and Community Engagement (01:21:05)
Sharing personal hobbies and the joy of community engagement activities like voter registration as fulfilling pastimes.

A segment of the conversation is dedicated to sharing personal hobbies and the fulfillment derived from community engagement. The speaker mentions activities like playing tennis, reading, and participating in voter registration drives as enjoyable and meaningful ways to spend time, highlighting the personal satisfaction that comes from contributing to the community.
Public Speaking and Enlightenment Efforts (01:23:04)
Speaker discusses recent public speaking engagements and efforts to enlighten communities on various issues.

The speaker shares experiences from recent public speaking engagements at churches and schools, emphasizing the goal of enlightening audiences on important social and economic issues. They express satisfaction in sharing knowledge and experiences to inspire and educate others.
Career Guidance and Educational Opportunities (01:28:34)
Discussion on providing career guidance and educational pathways for students, particularly in trade programs.

The conversation focuses on the importance of providing career guidance and educational opportunities, especially for students interested in trade programs. The speakers discuss initiatives to help students transition from high school to community college with a focus on acquiring trade skills and securing stable employment.
Union Benefits and Trade Careers (01:31:34)
Highlighting the benefits of union membership and trade careers for financial stability and job security.

The benefits of union membership and trade careers are highlighted as paths to financial stability and job security. The speakers discuss how unions provide benefits such as consistent work, good wages, and protection of workers' rights, making them an attractive option for many young people entering the workforce.
Encouragement and Support for Young People (01:35:02)
Encouragement for young people to pursue their interests and find their niche, with community support and guidance.

The discussion turns to encouraging young people to pursue their interests and find their niche with the right guidance and support. The speakers emphasize the importance of community involvement and mentorship in helping young people discover their potential and achieve their career goals.