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Interview with Mr. Johnny Edwards
Johnny Edwards
Mr. Johnny Edwards is the Superintendent of Portage Public Schools. A long time educator and former Assistant Superintendent, he was named Superintendent in May 2025. In his discussion with JB Brown, Mr. Edwards covers the following topics:
- Early life and growing up in Saginaw, Michigan; Experiencing college life at Michigan State University; Being “tapped” to lead;
- Classroom experiences as a math teacher and lessons on the court as basketball coach;
- Living out his mission as “Improving the lives of young people through the power of education”;
- Impacts of transitioning from teaching in the classroom to eventually becoming an Assistant Superintendent administration;
- Stepping into the role of Superintendent of Portage Public Schools and what is has meant both personally and professionally;
- A day in the life of a Superintendent, and the importance of listening and being visible;
- Having a career of firsts, and what he hopes students can see when they look at his own journey;
- The Black men, including his own father Johnny Edwards Sr. who have modeled what successful leadership looks like.
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Interview with Mr. Charles Parker
Charles Parker
Mr. Charles Parker, longtime educator, the founder of Charlie's P.L.A.C.E. and locally known as "Mr. Everything", is interviewed by JB Brown. During their interview Mr. Parker discusses the following:
- Being born in Aberdeen, Mississippi and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan;
- Early interests in sports and physical activities;
- Participating in international judo competitions, and coaching kids in the sport;
- The Black men that acted as mentors to guide him along his path such as Walter Jones, Arthur Washington, and Al Hampton;
- Leveraging his degree in social work with his love for sports to expand youth opportunities and development;
- Accepting the call to work with youth; Impactful 25 years as a coach and behavioral specialist in Kalamazoo Public Schools;
- Seeing young people as the keys to the future; Reflecting on how his village shaped him, and wanting to create that same space for youth today;
- The founding of Charlie’s P.L.A.C.E. in 2013 and program expansion;
- Hopes for the future of Kalamazoo and his own legacy.
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Interview with Mr. Trice Batson
Trice Batson
Trice Batson is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Kalamazoo Community College. Additionally, Mr. Batson serves as the President for the Society for History and Racial Equity's board of trustees. He is interviewed for the "Black Men Leading" oral history collection by Justice Smith. Mr. Batson discusses the following topics in his interview:
- Discussed his growing up in Flint, Michigan;
- Values passed onto him by his mother;
- Exchanging lessons with his own daughter;
- What led him to institutional work
- How he became involved with S.H.A.R.E.;
- Finding ways to get involved in the Kalamazoo community;
- The shifts in conversation and policy as it relates to diversity and equity;
- Advice he would give to those that are just starting out in equity and community leadership work.
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Interview with Dr. Kevin Catlin
Kevin Catlin
Dr. Kevin Catlin, former County Administrator and Controller for Kalamazoo County, sits down with interviewer JB Brown. Dr. Catlin covers the following topics:
- Growing up in Elgin, Illinois;
- How his mother inspired his early interests in public service as a special education teacher;
- Journey in pursuing and completing a PHD in Public Administration;
- Finding mentors in Illinois State Government leaders like Frank McNeal and Eugene Oliver, and lessons he carries;
- Learning through experience;
- Accepting a position with the Kalamazoo County Government as County Administrator & Controller at the age of 31;
- What it means to lead in this position as a Black man.
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Interview with Dr. L. Marshall Washington
L. Marshall Washington
Dr. L. Marshall Washington, the President of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, is interviewed by Justice Smith for the "Black Men Leading" oral history collection. Dr. Washington is an accomplished leader and scholar in community college leadership. He discusses the following topics:
- Discussed his early years and community in Columbus, Ohio;
- Values passed on by his parents and memories shared;
- Educational and work path that ultimately led him to Kalamazoo Valley Community College;
- On what it meant to him to become the first Black President at KVCC;
- Pivotal moments in his professional journey;
- How his leadership philosophy guides his work at KVCC;
- College's response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Expansion of programs and opportunities for students;
- Advice for the next generation.
“Black Men Leading” is a series of intergenerational oral histories focused on highlighting the past, present, and future of Black men in leadership across various fields in Kalamazoo. Their stories and service show pathways for growth, mentorship, and overall community transformation. Black Men Leading is representative of SHARE’s mission to capture and share untold stories, as well as engage and inspire a future generation of civic leaders.
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