John J Kennedy book sneak peak

John Jackson Kennedy A Master Class in How to Live and Love in Service to Your Community

John J. Kennedy A Master Class in How to Live and Love in Service to Your Community

John Jackson Kennedy A Master Class in How to Live and Love in Service to Your Community © 2022 by Lena Louise Kennedy All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without express written permission from L. Kennedy Consulting & Associates Names and trademarks of products are the property of their registered owners.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Lena Louise Kennedy ISBN: 979-8-218-06796-0 Printed in United States of America Community Women, Vital Voices PO Box 40371 Pasadena, CA 91114 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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In Recognition of John Jackson Kennedy’s Book, We acknowledge you…

Thank you to the following individuals for your generous support, love, and care in making the production of this book possible. In reading all the remarks submitted, my heart is full, and I am grateful to everyone who submitted comments. I am grateful to the designer, the photographers, my writing, research and editing team – thank you, thank you, thank you – this could not have happened without you! My dear friends who held me up when I needed support to push forward with this project. John’s friends who are the sponsors - you stand without question whenever called upon - your generosity is overwhelming.

SPONSORS: Teena Hostovich Ken Hui Lena Louise Kennedy La Doris McClaney Tina McKinnor Dr. Edna Miller Carolyn and Albert West Photo Credits:

Contributors:

Alfred Hammond Foxx Media Group L. A. Sentinel Lena Louise Kennedy Michael Fernandez Nick Boswell Photography Pasadena Outlook Pasadena Star-News Taylor Fine Portraits Toni Scott

Rochelle Branch Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker Tyesa Denise Morey Danny Parker Susana Porras Tina Rios Jerry Robin Jana Stewart Jeffrey Streator, Ph.D.

Friends are like precious jewels: valuable, bright, beautiful – and they always make you look good!

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John J. Kennedy A Master Class in How to Live and Love in Service to Your Community

Table of Contents Stomping Grounds in Pasadena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Parents and Grandparents Family Siblings Nieces and Nephews Brothers from Another Mother Man of Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Faithful to Community Faithful to Friends Faithful to God Willingness to Learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Academic Institutions Educators/Teachers Advisors/Confidants Becoming John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Art Connoisseur Businessman The World through John’s Eyes Community Visionary and Negotiator Philanthropist What Made Him the Man He Became Mémoire d’Amour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Political Foes and Allies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Presidents Supreme Court Justices U.S. Senators U.S. Congress Governors California State Senate & Assembly Supervisors Local Elected Officials Entertainment Let’s Talk …. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Business Friends City Friends Mentees Non-Profit Organizations Monuments –Remembering the Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Change Has Got to Come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 His Legacy His Vision His Work Continues Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 4

And it will be a beautiful Life! – Craig Lancaster

Stomping Grounds in Pasadena

Man of Faith

Man of Faith When I was asked (honored) to stand in this place

• John finished his leg… but the race goes on!

and to eulogize my friend and brother John J.

• All we can hope for is to run well: John ran well!

Kennedy, I knew immediately where I wanted to go

• Like A Relay - he’s just passed the baton!

in The Word; nothing deep or complicated, just a

• Hebrews 12:1-2 “Since we are surrounded by

fitting testimony for a life well lived! 2 Timothy 4

such a great cloud of witnesses, let US run with

records Paul’s last words to Timothy who would

patience the race that is set before us; looking

carry on when Paul was gone. Paul had left his

unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith;

mark on the landscape of the world he lived in and

Who for the joy that was set before Him,

now he had to pass the baton to those who would

endured the cross, bearing the shame, AND

take up where he left off. But in spite of everything

NOW he is seated at the right Hand of The

that he had accomplished, he knew that he had

Throne of God!”

gone as far as he could go…

• Sometimes you have to go through it to get to it!

• In verse (5) 6 Paul says… ( READ! NIV )

• I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH!

• John may have felt the same way…slowly weaker

• In spite of the setbacks / the let downs / the

• People noticed also / not as talkative, strong…

struggles / the pain / the sickness / everything!

• But he could say like Paul…

• John kept his faith in Jesus!

• I FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!!!

• “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due

• John fought for others- the community, people!

• A voice for the voiceless, strong for the weak!

season we shall reap a harvest if we don’t give up!”

• “AND NOW, there is laid up for me The Crown of

• Showed others how to fight for themselves!

Righteousness, which The Lord, The Righteous

• Fought his own personal struggles / sickness

Judge shall give me on that day - and not only to

• Suffered in silence, not wanting others to know

me, but to all those who long for His appearing!”

• I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE!!!

• We admired his endurance and cheered him on, but none of us can run forever!

– Pastor Lucious Smith August 13, 2022 41

Willingness to Learn

Willingness to Learn Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.

– Booker T. Washington

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Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.

– John Wooden

Becoming John

Mémoire d’Amour

Mémoire d’Amour

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Political Foes and Allies

Political Foes and Allies I am in politics because of the conflict between good and evil, and I believe that in the end good will triumph.

– Margaret Thatcher

ALL MY LIFE I HAVE FOUGHT FOR FAIRNESS “All my life I have fought for fairness. It is a character trait instilled in me by my late father, Thomas Foster Kennedy. He rose from humble beginnings and at a time in our nation’s history when African-American men where denied the opportunity to serve our country, he did – with honor and distinction. My Dad was a highly decorated, combat wounded, Veteran of the Second World War in the Pacific Theater. He returned home from the war and settled in Pasadena. I am one of his 10 children. He always reminded my brothers and sisters that ours was an honorable family name and to always carry ourselves with humility and dignity. He also taught us love of country and to cherish the principles of fairness upon which America was founded.

“I have embarked upon this campaign to represent you at City Hall as I uphold my family’s legacy of service to our country and our community. But I can’t do it alone, I need your support and most of all your vote.”

– John J. Kennedy February 6, 2013

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Let’s Talk…

Let’s Talk …

DEAR JOHN Pasadena City Councilman John J. Kennedy On that summer’s day I had no idea it would be the last time I’d gaze upon your radiant face You stood at the podium A statesman, stalwart and strong The day, sunny and bright airbrushed your brow with amber and gold A touch of starlight Your eyes smiled upon us as lovingly as a father smiles upon his children If I’d known that day would be our final farewell, perhaps I would’ve said to you something more heartfelt, more profound Or perhaps, I would’ve hung around longer to linger in your glow Now I recall all you did to help our community to prosper and grow You led us on a sojourn to Senegal Through the Door of No Return You brought Senegal to us To dwell within our hearts You taught us to reach beyond barriers That blocked pathways to higher ground Now tears fall from my eyes But I’ll always be inspired by your wisdom and wit, your courage and faith We’ll miss you, John Sail on, my brother Sail on.

– Hazel Clayton Harrison, Author 161

Monuments –Remembering the Past

Monuments – Remembering the Past

WE PAUSE TO REMEMBER A VIBRANT HEAVILY MINORITY COMMUNITY IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA YOU ARE RESPECTFULLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE UNVEILING OF THE

10 West Walnut Development Historic Monument Thursday, May 26, 2022 • 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

10 West Walnut, Pasadena, California 91124 Parking available under the office building at 10 West Walnut.

Guided tours follow unveiling and light hors d'oeuvres.

We kindly ask you RSVP by May 20, 2022 to Susana Porras sporras@cityofpasadena.net

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Change Has Got to Come I may not always be there with you, but I leave you with the love and guidance of God. I will be with you in spirit. Make Good Trouble and bring about Progressive Change!!

Ecclesiastes 11:5 reminds us: “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.”

I know God loves me, and He’ll never leave me. (John 3:16; Hebrews 13:5) I know He is for me and not against me. (Romans 8:31) I know God’s Word is true, and His heart is kind. (Psalm 33:4; Acts 14:17)