Tribute to friend and former client Chuck Sutton

Wednesday

Mar042009

Many years ago I had the honor of representing Inner City Broadcasting, owner of WBLS and WLIB radio, and at that time, also owner of The Apollo Theater on 125th Street in Harlem. Back then, Harlem was going through the beginning of what would become a neighborhood renaissance. It was an exciting time, with commerce moving into the area, and a renewed sense of pride and purpose in the neighborhood.

The Apollo Theatre, once the showplace of Harlem, was sparkling once again as Amateur Night reinvented itself every Wednesday with the Legendary MC Ralph Cooper at the helm, and the incomparable ”Sandman” shooing bad acts off the stage with a dance and a shuffle and “the hook.”

My client at Inner City was the Honorable Percy Ellis Sutton, but my daily contact was his nephew, Chuck Sutton, who passed away February 19th after a valiant fight with cancer.

Chuck was a remarkable man, even to a PR agent like me who was concerned mainly with bringing in the hits. In the same conversation Chuck would tell me about the week’s upcoming talent at The Apollo, fill me in on his plan to “Jump the Broom” at his wedding, talk to me about community action in his neighborhood, go over details for his creation – “Showtime at the Apollo,” and rave about his son and the birth of his daughter Amena. In an age before blackberries and text messages, it was challenging to get a callback from Chuck; because the guy never stood still.

On Monday, Chuck’s life was celebrated at Riverside Church in Manhattan. The Honorable David Patterson said that without Chuck, he never would have entered public life, and never would have been Governor of New York. Mayor David Dinkins spoke of him as a quiet activist, a tremendous advocate and environmentalist for the Harlem community, a good friend and a devoted family man.

The Reverend Al Sharpton took the redeye from California and almost missed the service because of a record snowstorm in the North East. In his eulogy, Reverend Sharpton talked about how Chuck had worked his dash…that hyphen between the year of his birth and the year of his death 1950 – 2009. I had heard this reference to the dash before, but this time, it really resonated with me. Standing in front of the congregation, the outspoken and often controversial Reverend Sharpton said that Chuck lived an exemplary life of service, and had worked his dash to the fullest. Then he turned to the congregation and said: “After the fancy cars and big houses and beautiful clothes fall away, what are YOU doing to work YOUR dash?”

It was still snowing when I left the church. I recognized some of the pallbearers, and was amazed to see Amena all grown up.

I said farewell to Chuck, and thanked him for being such a good, great man and for sharing in some of my memories, and I thanked Reverend Sharpton, for the wakeup call.

Steven Greene |

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 12:51 PM |

7 Comments |

tagged

sperlingreene in

Marketing

View Printer Friendly Version

Email Article to Friend

Reader Comments (7)

Although to some it may feel oh-so-far-off, spring is on it's way, and here are the louis vuitton to prove it!
New Christian Louboutin spring shoes are hitting the shelves and they are colorful, whimsical and playful,perfect for a spring or summer wedding looking for a little jolt of fun! and now discount for Gucci,Which are your faves?

weight loss
diet pills
how to lose weight fast

louis vuitton
replica handbags
lv
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton handbags
discount handbags
lv
discount handbags
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton blog

louis vuitton
replica handbags
lv
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton handbags
discount handbags
lv
discount handbags
louis vuitton bags

christian louboutin
louboutin
christian louboutin shoes
louboutin shoes
bridal shoes
sexy shoes
high heels shoes

ed hardy
ed hardy clothing
ed hardy clothing shirts
ed hardy clothes
ed hardy t shirts

rosetta stone
rosetta stone software
rosetta

chaojimengnan supplier

chaojimengnan

Aug 19, 2010 at 9:37 PM |

christian louboutin shoes

we provides you the best and most fashionable products. All the products are 100% high quality, competitive price, free shipping with best and timely service, 100% satisfaction. Big discount for big order. Welcome to make your choose.
ed
hardy ed
street fashion
christian audigier
Ed Hardy Jeans
ed hardy online
ed hardy shirt
ed hardy shirts

Sep 8, 2010 at 9:14 AM |

Sep 17, 2010 at 5:00 AM |

123123

ice and impressive post.Title is very attractive and the contents are unique also. Thanks. Keep blogging.

Nov 11, 2010 at 3:53 AM |

Thermage

Good work! Your post is an excellent example of why I keep comming back to read your excellent quality content that is forever updated. Thank you!!!!!

Nov 19, 2010 at 11:20 PM |

Boss Sunglasses

delete

Jan 5, 2011 at 10:21 PM |

herbal sex pills for women

Your website is invariably undoubtedly one of the most suitable . On the whole appearance of the page is definitely impressive .
Locksmith Riverside
MARGATE FL Locksmith
Locksmith Alameda
San Jose locksmith
locksmith miami beach
Atlanta Locksmiths
Locksmith Washington DC
Locksmith Atlanta GA
Washington Locksmith
Memphis Locksmith
Memphis TN Locksmith
Locksmith Memphis
Locksmith Washington DC
Washington Locksmith
Locksmith Hampton VA
Locksmith Corona
Locksmith Hampton VA
Locksmith Hampton
Hampton Locksmith
Locksmith Waukegan
Plumbing Santa Monica FL
Locksmith Reading PA
Locksmith Aspen Hill
Locksmith norwalk
Atlanta Locksmiths
Atlanta Ga Locksmith
Locksmith Sunny isles
Locksmith Plantation
Locksmith Kendall
Davie Locksmith
Jupiter Locksmiths
Locksmiths Arcadia
Richardson Locksmiths
Bell Locksmiths
Locksmiths Thornton
Henderson Locksmiths
Locksmith in Golden
Locksmith in Hampton
Locksmith in Henderson
Locksmith Mesa
Locksmith Hawthorne
Locksmith in Wayne
Detroit Locksmith
Long Beach Locksmiths
Dallas Locksmiths
Houston TX Locksmith
Indianapolis IN Locksmith
Locksmith Rialto
Hillside NJ Locksmith
Locksmith Paterson NJ
Locksmith Haddon Township

Jun 23, 2011 at 2:37 PM |

susan24187

Post a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »

Author:

Author Email (optional):

Author URL (optional):

Post:

↓ | ↑

Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>