THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. ALVIN THORNTON

tHE lIFE AND cONTRIBUTIONS of dR. aLVIN tHORNTON

By Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson

No one could be prouder to acknowledge an individual as part of our family than we are, to lay claim to Dr. Alvin Thornton, who is "blood-related" to the late Wilkie Clark, and thereby a permanent fixture within our family circle.

Before we go further in this discussion, let's not get it "twisted!" That is not to imply that Alvin Thornton needed a "Wilkie Clark" to validate him. Because I can boldly and emphatically declare that Alvin Thornton is a giant of an individual ALL BY HIMSELF! The operative word being, "individual!" With or without a Wilkie Clark around, Alvin Thornton was predestined to be intellectually superior; a prodigy; a force to be reckoned with.

But what I do acknowledge here is that maybe because Wilkie Clark was around, and through his unique gift of discernment, he saw something within Alvin, that ignited and inspired a kind of "hopefulness" that had been lacking in our culture — an insight into all that he might be able to achieve if he exercised all his gifts to the very fullest capacity. So in that regard, perhaps his relationship with Wilkie Clark, served as a catalyst; driving his desire not only to meet but to exceed every ambition and expectation.

From our very earliest memories of him, Dr. Thornton has served as such a tightly woven thread in the fabric of not only our family structure, but our community at large — AND the world — until we find it difficult at best, to accurately and properly assign to him, his rightful place of importance .   As we attempt to capture with words, the overwhelming value of Dr. Thornton's contributions to the furtherance of our goals as a social order and part of our community we pray that the light that radiates from within him will emerge with authentic brilliance.

Moreover, upon closer examination, we are compelled to recognize him on the basis of far more than mere blood relationship. We honor him for his extraordinary lifetime of scholarly achievement(s) in so many of sphere's of existence: the social; the familial; the political; the legal; the educational.

Despite the personal — familial — casual nature of our relationship with him (i.e. cousin, brother, comrade, schoolmate, homeboy), we would not dare discount any single one of his intellectual attributes, or his life-long body of work, nearly half-century of academic/administrative leadership in higher education, or scores of distinctions that have been conferred upon him. When we refer to him as "Dr. Alvin Thornton", it is with the UTMOST of respect for all he has achieved, and for our pride in understanding how blessed we are to have such personal fellowship with a person of his caliber.

All one has to do is simply "google" his name, and the volume of search results are absolutely infinite, giving you a wide-angled snapshot of who he is, and the many spheres of influence he inhabits.   Dr. Thornton has long been highly regarded as an eloquent commentator on the political issues of the day, be they past, current or future. His opinions are highly sought after. He has been dubbed a Political Scientist — which he is; an Educator — also which he is; an influencer — that he is; also, he is a husband, father, grandfather; a brother — both adoring and adored by his six living siblings; and a native born son of Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama.

By comparison, Dr. Thornton too — like his elder cousin, Wilkie Clark — walked the dusty roads of Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama, initially in what has been known for generations as, the "Springfield" community. He is the son of the late King George Thornton, and Lillie Mae Baker Thornton. That combination arising from his paternal side, "Thornton" and that family identifier, "Baker" at their deepest microcosmic levels, formed the very glue that cemented our family and comprised the building blocks for who each of us would ultimately become. Consequently, our shared genealogy, as well as our shared experiences coming from this little southern hamlet known as Roanoke; being raised up in the Wehadkee community, where that little wooden church served as its nucleus; being part of the "Baker" clan where our Elders homesteaded together; planted a certain kind of seed within each of us. First it taught us to have a fierce love, and protectiveness for "family." And that "family" extended far beyond the nuclear family. But, like the wandering roots of a tree, extending deep and wide — reaching back generations; and as far away as our mother continent, Africa; and as far into the future as any one of us could imagine there was at the innermost level of awareness, that family "connection" that has remained strong.   It is that depth of understanding and connection that has stamped upon each of us, and imbued within us a stronger sense of WHO WE REALLY ARE.

Who knew that a country boy arising from the dust of a rural "Wehadkee" either could or would grow into the colossal manner of man that Alvin Thornton has become?   Who knew — that anything good could even come out of Roanoke, Alabama, where so many of our kinsmen were oppressed, suppressed, forbidden and willed to languish and merely exist as the descendants of former slaves. Who knew that the potential was even there?

The Little Engine That Could

But, as it turns out — it WAS there; and it was evident from the beginning. Dr. Thornton received his earliest education from what we in this community remember as the Randolph County Training School. If I could capture the character of this institution with words, I would call it "The Little Engine That Could." Yet for the overwhelming majority of those who experienced it, it was far more than that. It was the local black institution where my mother worked along with many other "school moms & dads" who taught little dark-skinned — nappy headed black children every day, who the larger society cast aside as mediocre — not even worth the cost of decent facilities in which to learn; or decent up-to-date books from which to read. But miraculously they did learn; they did read! And in spite of conditions, they excelled. Alvin Thornton was one of those nappy-headed kids, who blossomed and flourished under the influence and watchful eyes of these black academicians.

A Deadly Encounter

It was probably clear from the beginning that Alvin was an intellectually gifted youngster — a sure and certain predictor of his future success. And as most intellectually gifted individuals are quite precocious as well as adventurous, while in high school, he experienced what had to have been the most disconcerting — discombobulating — traumatizing event of his entire life, that has been etched in the memories of every black teacher, student and staff member who ever attended, worked or was associated with the school in any way. Having been shielded by the comfort, safety and security of nuclear and extended family, this one encounter might have been Alvin's very first encounter that had the effect of permanently stamping that awareness of southern "racism" on his psyche forever...

A familiar part of the scenery in the immediate vicinity of the school, included a local business known as "The Ranch Motel." Of course during this time, Negroes — as we were called — were not allowed to lodge there; but it was known that they prepared and sold good food (i.e. burgers, sides and drinks). I mean, for goodness sake! From the west side of the campus, we could sit in our classrooms, or walk across the campus and see the privileged (meaning white) travelers stopping by; going in and coming out with their delicacies. So, even though we were probably never privy to that kind of public access, we knew that food was prepared and marketed there. On one particular day, when — I would imagine — the youngsters might have been outside and exhausted themselves perhaps from a vigorous band practice session, or some athletic activity, a group decided to take a 2-to-3-minute walk across the highway, at that time, Highway 431, a major U.S. thoroughfare that ran across the country North and South to the Ranch Motel, to buy themselves some refreshments. It can only be assumed here that they had money — same as everybody else who stopped in there and ordered food. He proceeded to order a hamburger, and whatever is good to go with it. Now, although one would presume the story ended uneventfully, to the contrary, and utter consternation of everybody, a mere 14-year old teenager — the same age Emmett Till was when he was lied on and brutally bludgeoned in Money, Mississippi — Alvin ended up held at gunpoint, and ordered to eat his hamburger while still in the restaurant. When the students returned to campus, and shared their account of what happened at the Ranch Motel restaurant, can you imagine how traumatized the entire campus — student body — faculty — and staff — after learning what happened and being forced to imagine what COULD HAVE HAPPENED?

For Alvin Thornton, that one experience probably taught him more about "WHO HE WAS" at that time, and who he was destined to become — and I would wager, continues to define and shape the Dr. Thornton that we know and love today. Such an encounter could have easily left him bitter, inert, hopeless, fearful; or worst case scenario -- DEAD. Yet he arose.

Lillie Mae (Baker) Thornton

From R.C.T.S. Alvin traveled to Atlanta, Georgia where he enrolled at Morehouse College. How well do I recall, his mother whom we lovingly called "Cousin Lillie Mae" being so concerned and consumed with his struggles to educate himself, that she left home, and moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be close to him during his matriculation at Morehouse — so she could support him in every way possible. As I think of her now, and remember that time in her life, I see the epitome of motherhood; I see tenacity; steadfastness; and the image of that strong African queen, Hatshepsut; or the persistence of Winnie Mandella. Upon completion of his enrollment at Morehouse, he earned the Bachelor Of Arts Degree.

I still have vivid memories, during those years — of my father, lecturing him about getting as much education as possible; going as far as he could go. I'm sure Alvin probably grew tired of my father who was often both redundant and incessant in giving him that motivational "push" in the direction of law — as he did me, too; and Howard University was unquestionably the "gold standard" for any black scholar going into the practice of law.

From Morehouse, Alvin did go on to attend Howard University, where he worked diligently on his PhD in Political Science. He also pursued post-graduate study at The University Of Michigan. As he advanced academically, he was blessed with opportunities to teach at the college level at Morgan State University in Baltimore and ultimately at his Alma Mater, our beloved HBCU, Howard University.

Dr. Alvin Thornton and Mrs. Annette (Heflin) Thornton

Roughly five years after their graduation from R.C.T.S. in 1967 (April 10, 1972) Dr. Thornton married the love of his life and high-school sweetheart, Annette Heflin, also a hometown girl. They settled in the Maryland/D.C. area, where they have resided ever since. Dr. Thornton became a part of the education culture surrounding Howard, Georgetown, Morgan State, and other DC area institutions of higher education. They have remained life-long partners. They are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Kenya and Octavia and four grandchildren. To date, their fifty-one-year partnership has withstood the test of time.

1973-May-17 [The Roanoke Leader] Alvin Thornton Earns His PhD

Included here is an image of the May 17, 1973 article that appeared in the hometown newspaper reporting the award of his PhD from Howard University in Washington, DC. How Ironic do you think it is that this article was published in our local newspaper on the Anniversary of the Historic Brown vs Board Of Education Supreme Court Decision?

As a long-time member of the faculty at his prestigious Alma Marta, over the years, Dr. Thornton literally rose through the ranks to be named Provost and Senior Advisor to the President of Howard University.

No matter how far he advanced academically, professionally, or socially, one thing remained constant. And that was, his on-going interest in being a substantially contributing member of his home town community.

Never Backed Down From A Fight

Having the spirit of a noble warrior, I have never known Dr. Thornton to back down from a fight or refuse to take on a worthy opponent of Black people, if he felt he could effectively and eloquently do so.

During the recent historic confirmation hearings for Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson, he reminisced " Thirty-one years ago, I was outside the Judiciary Committee hearing room in 1991 protesting Clarence Thomas' confirmation..."
Sharing a copy of the Spring of 1992 Government & Politics Newsletter, the official voice of the Department of Political Science for Howard University, Washington, DC, in it, Dr. Thornton had written a scholarly article entitled "Justice Thomas and the 1991 Civil Rights Act." In it, he reflected on Thomas' historic nomination and confirmation, and the threat it posed to the Black Community and our nation.

In 1994, Dr. Thornton was privileged to be part of a delegation of "international observers" from Howard University, who helped provide a "world presence" during the historic elections. By this time, he was also serving as Chairman of the Prince George's County Board of Education in Virginia. This historic pilgrimage was memorialized in the June 1994 edition of the Roanoke Leader.

An Outspoken Advocate For Education

Joe Francaviglia, former Executive Director of Strong Schools Maryland, said of him: "Dr. Thornton has dedicated his life and service to the people of Maryland and Prince George's County. He is a champion of Maryland's children and when he speaks, we all should listen and take note."

Bruce Depuyt has described Dr. Thornton as "an outspoken advocate for enhanced funding for school systems in lower-income communities."

According to The Washington Post, "Thornton served on the school board in the 1990s and was chairman for three one-year terms during a long career in public life and at Howard, where he was a political scientist for 37 years and held a number of senior administrative posts."

In a December 5, 2018 article that appeared in "Maryland Matters" a nonprofit publication focused on Maryland government and politics, Depuyt reflected back on 1999, when Dr. Thornton was appointed by then-Governor Parris N. Glendening (D) to chair a controversial Commission on Education Finance, Equity and Excellence, which became known as the "Thornton Commission."   Under Dr. Alvin Thornton's leadership, the commission created an aid formula to ensure that school systems around Maryland had the resources necessary to meet the constitutional requirement for a quality education.   So effective was his leadership that again in 2018, Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks insisted on bringing him back to again lead the County Board Of Education.

Even more recently, another education plan known as Kirwan aka "Blueprint for Maryland's Future" gave rise to what appears to be the continuing controversy revolving around education spending. In a Baltimore Sun Commentary published February 5, 2020, Dr. Thornton admonished lawmakers to seize the opportunity to act decisively by approving the plan in it's entirety. However, as we would expect, there were many arguments both for and against coming from various facets of the community.

Whether teaching at the college level, writing a political commentary, protesting alongside classroom teachers, or lobbying for adequate funding for public schools, Dr. Thornton has distinguished himself as a friend and strong vociferous proponent for the education America's children.   In a recent public appeal to support educators he said:

               "I am who I am because of teachers. And so, whatever future we envision for our communities and our children — I have three
               grandchildren, in public education; Public education educated my two daughters excellently! They educated me; so there is no
               future without that; and there's no future without teachers, who are the primary source — foundation of our democracy...
               Because they teach FIRST; and they teach fundamental values..."

In 2016, Dr. Thornton ran for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Maryland's 4th Congressional District. He withdrew from the race before the primary. Although there is no reason provided for his withdrawal, knowing him as I do, I'm sure it was related to family issues, as his Father-In-Law — The Reverend R.L. Heflin — who had fallen ill, passed from this life in that year.

It is my sincere belief that the longer he has lived; the more he has experienced; and the farther he has traveled away from his hometown roots, the more appreciative he has grown for those beginnings, and how significantly they impacted his life.

Returning Home

While still young and energetic, he has remained persistent in making the drive back to his roots in Alabama from the D.C. area to Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama, sharing whenever asked or invited. And the invitations were many. Over time, the entire community grew in their respect for his knowledge, and for remaining a steadfast "hometown boy".

The Emancipation Proclamation

Wilkie Clark, Dr. Alvin Thornton, AND Reverend Lathonia Wright

With respect to my many and varied encounters with Dr. Alvin Thornton, one of the most pivotal moments for me, occurred on a New Year's Day. I don't recall the year. But, what I do recall very well is that it was one of his very first occasions returning home at the invitation of my father, to be the Keynote Speaker at an Annual Emancipation Proclamation Program.

As a long-standing local NAACP President, my father made the effort to stage Annual Emancipation Proclamation Observances as a part of the Branch's annual calendar of events. However, in the 50's and 60's, and even the early 70's (in our community at least), attendance at these programs was poor. I remember as a child, going with my father to Emancipation Proclamation Programs, and having only five people in attendance; sometimes as few as three. As a young adult, I sensed the reluctance, and the hesitancy of most black people to support these observances as they regarded such activities as subversive. All whites in the south considered the NAACP as a Subversive Organization. However, we understood that black people's thinking was driven by a complete absence of knowledge and understanding of or exposure to black civil rights.

Without a doubt, I knew my father had been bursting at the seams to get Alvin back to Roanoke, to give the black community a sneak peek at his captivating oratorical prowess.

So, he did come home that year. And the Emancipation proclamation program was well attended. My epiphany occurred during his address, when he began to talk about our identity as a black people. It was from that point forward, that I was captivated. I just wish to GOD, I had the vocabulary and the memory to re-write his message verbatim! He taught from his platform — that day — using that same context of education to drive his message. He began to build this concept and paint a vivid — inspiring — portrait of "WHO WE ARE" reminiscing about school days and using R.C.T.S. as a point of reference. He talked about the fact that we were "bulldogs!" And what it meant to be a bulldog. And this is how we were known and recognized. He spoke further about the pride we took in being called "bulldogs." He talked about the black community's pride in ownership in "our school!" In sharp contrast to being forced to become something other than "bulldogs." He talked about why it's not good to be the kind of Negro who scratches where there's no itch; and laughs when nothing is funny; or acts like a clown to humor the white man. For me, it was a FIRST. It was the first time I had EVER heard a message that empowering, and received it with such clarity. What I remember well is that Dr. Alvin Thornton opened many eyes that day. I believe a seed was planted in Roanoke, Alabama on THAT day, that served to illuminate everyone who attended and help them understand why we as black communities needed to stage these Annual Celebrations — so as not to forget WHO WE ARE. In subsequent years, the Emancipation Proclamation Observance began to grow in popularity in our communities.

Not knowing what God had in store, this would be but one of many such trips back home for Dr. Thornton.

The Ambitious R.C.T.S. Legacy & Reunion Project

L.C., Gene, Earnestine & Alvin

Thornton Siblings: L.C., Gene, Earnestine, and Alvin

For as far back as I can remember, Alvin LOVED to reminisce about school days. His visits home were always exciting, because he loved, remembered, and enjoyed seeing everybody from home. His conversation lit up like a Christmas tree with talk of the teachers, and questions about how this one or that one was doing. He could keep up with schoolmates better than Walter Winchell — remember their names, what they were doing, where they went to school — EVERYTHING! On second thought, maybe not Walter Winchell. Because Alvin always brought the positive news about people. NEVER the negative or embarrassing news (even if he knew it, he ignored it).

Most of the time when he would travel from DC to Roanoke, he was going to stop in just to say "hello" and to let you see him, and see how he's doing and THEN, engage you in some "real talk!"

As if Dr. Thornton wasn't ALREADY inundated with enough professional responsibility; appointed positions; and public service work, he now had the audacity to take on — what I consider to be — his most aggressive and ambitious project EVER. But, thankfully, this time he would have plenty of help, since his four elder siblings, Lonnie, Gene and Earnestine were all in. It is my sincere belief that this major undertaking was probably years in the making. I sense that Alvin had had a life-long love-affair with the school experience. Of course, having worked in the sphere of higher education for years, enhanced his ability to make some very significant and revealing discoveries about our early experiences in the segregated school system that needed to be shared! There seemed to be a deep sense of urgency where that was concerned. In my heart, I believe it might have been around 2004 or thereabouts, that both his emotional and foundational bond with the Randolph County Training School (R.C.T.S.), was tugging on his heartstrings as it had been FOR YEARS. So, at some point in time, he conceived this idea of a monumental historical tribute to the legacy of this institution — of which he along with all of his siblings were products. Aside from that every African American in our community who had ever lived within proximity of our community — who had ever left here and achieved anything of importance — were products — AND PROUDLY SO! So, I believe this idea of taking a much-needed— decades overdue — long stroll down memory lane had began to grow based on all of these revelations. This would be a massive, all-encompassing acknowledgment of our beloved institution — The Randolph County Training School which we all affectionately called R.C.T.S and all that it did for the generations who walked it's hallowed halls. This work would entail, both a biography as well as a eulogy. It would recollect it's opening and mourn its closing — which in essence none of us had ever had an opportunity to do. It would work to reverse decades of amnesia among both a forgetful black constituent, AND a white community who never cared enough to even pay attention — and ultimately serve as a grand memorial to what we all regarded as the greatest institution in the world — R.C.T.S. The school we all attended under the Doctrine of "Separate But Equal".

Conclusion

Academically, socially, and as a mere human being, Dr. Thornton has risen to heights some might have considered impossible. Yet the one aspect of his life-long success that I believe Wilkie Clark would be MOST proud of today, and would claim huge bragging rights to, is the extent to which he has remained so closely connected in a substantive way to his home-town; and the huge impact that has resulted from maintaining that connection.

Important Links Related To Dr. Alvin Thornton

Ballotpedia, ballotpedia.org/Alvin_Thorntonhttps://ballotpedia.org/Alvin_Thornton
(Ballotpedia is an encyclopedia of American Politics, that summarizes political candidacies)

Collier, Zshekinah. Maryland's 20-year education reform journey from "The Bridge to Excellence" to the Blueprint. WYPR-88.1 FM Baltimore. Published February 8, 2023 at 6:00 AM EST

DePuyt, Bruce. "The Return Of Alvin Thornton" Maryland Matters December 5, 2018. www.marylandmatters.org/2018/12/05/the-return-of-alvin-thornton/

Greater Washington Community Foundation
https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/celebration-honorees

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HigherEdJobs.com is a site that simply provides a database of Individuals having careers in institutions of higher education. HigherEdJobs is described as the leading source for jobs and career information in academia. More colleges and universities trust HigherEdJobs to recruit faculty and administrators than any other source. Each month their site is visited by more than 1.6 million higher education professionals who rely not only on its comprehensive list of jobs, but also on our news and career advice.
https://www.higheredjobs.com/HigherEdCareers/authorBio.cfm?authorID=50&articleID=257

Thornton, Alvin and Gooden, Karen Lesla Williams. "Like A Phoenix I'll Rise: A History Of African Americans in PG County."

Thornton, Dr. Alvin. "Maryland lawmakers should learn from my education plan and fully fund Kirwan"
The Baltimore Sun Commentary. Feb 05, 2020.

St. George, Donna. "New Leader Tapped For Maryland Board after controversies."
The Washington Post. December 5, 2018.

Thornton, Alvin. "Justice Thomas and the 1991 Civil Rights Act."
Government & Politics Newsletter, Spring, 1992.
(The official voice of the Department of Political Science for Howard University, Washington, DC)

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Wikipedia Listing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Thornton

Clark Funeral Home, Roanoke, Alabama