Becoming John

ART CONNOISSEUR. The early exposure to art that his parents provided evolved into John’s deep love for art as an adult. John was truly an art connoisseur and his appreciation for art manifested itself in most aspects of his life. Art was an integral part of who he was, and John was an artist in every sense of the word.

If culture is the expression of the soul, then John J. Kennedy was spiritual in both words and deeds. His commitment to highlighting the achievements of African Americans, and others, took many manifestations. But whether it was ensuring recognition of the communities of color that previously were displaced at the Parsons site, or heralding the work of artists, John immersed himself and others in arts and culture in a way that touched hearts and minds.

He became a collector of art that reflected stories and people who were very notable. His museum quality art was eclectic and included sculptures as well as painting. His concept of art extended to a piece of cloth that held some sort of significance. While others collected art as an investment, he collected art as an enjoyment. There was a story behind each piece of art he collected. He found joy in collecting. Often, he would come home from a challenging council meeting and find enjoyment just from sitting and enjoying the views of his art pieces that were aesthetically placed throughout his home.

Most don’t know that he was an artist. He did pencil art portrait work of well-known people. He stopped about 30 years ago. I had eight of John’s works framed, but unfortunately, they were stolen during a burglary.

Deeply rooted in an appreciation for the arts, John’s home was a living example of culture and arguably a piece of art. His home was carefully renovated to his high standards that showcased the artistic architectural style. Mementos of his world travels could be found in every room – a painting here, a sculpture there. The art aesthetic of his home extended outside where his immaculately manicured yard featured roses that perfectly lined the pathway to the front door of the house.

He thought of his books as art. He was a gourmet cook, which was part of the art in him. If you ever were blessed to taste his cooking, it was an absolute delight! The clothes he wore were artistically done – from the cuffs on his well-pressed shirt to the crafting of his custom made suits that were drawn and designed to fit his body. From the hat on his head to the shoes on his feet, he was meticulous in the way he dressed. His baritone voice was another form of art. If you were blessed enough to hear him sing and closed your eyes, you would have thought you were hearing a concert. His penmanship looked as if it were done with a paint brush. His ubiquitous, big black truck was immaculate and artistically selected. It reflected who he was. He loved all genres of music, and his diverse playlist reflected his eclectic musical tastes. His bucket list included seeing his favorite artist, Andrea Bocelli; Roseline surprised him with garden box seats at the Hollywood Bowl to see him in 2019, and John was thrilled. If you had the pleasure of cutting a step with him, boy could he dance – from various cultural dances to ballroom to hip hop. He also supported art and art institutions in more formal ways. He had an appreciation of arts and culture that extended across continents. One of his signature achievements as a Councilmember was the establishment of the Dakar-Plateau, Senegal Sister City relationship and the subsequent celebrations that were held in Dakar and in Pasadena as a result. Again, song, visual art, crafts, history, and performance enhanced the multi-sensory recognition of this new and important relationship for Pasadena.

The City of Pasadena was also the beneficiary of Councilmember Kennedy’s love for art and his keen attention to the importance of history. It was through his largess that a portrait of Loretta Glickman, the City’s first female and first African American Mayor, was donated to the City with the proper fanfare and acknowledgement that had not been accorded previously. Her portrait now hangs in the public reception hall for the Finance Department. The City’s Central library was the recipient of a donated painting of City Hall done by a local Armenian artist. It was important to John that diversity and inclusion extend to the arts.

Yet another project that was created and donated to the City through John’s generosity was the Black history painting that he commissioned by a French-Caribbean artist of color for the Central Library. Images of important African American historical figures included President Obama with whom he had a personal relationship as one of his earliest supporters. The historical trajectory of these figures and their impact culminates both visually as well as conceptually with President Obama who was placed in the foreground and looking ahead. The message was clear: America’s first Black president rose on the shoulders of so many African Americans who had dedicated their lives to racial equity with an eye to the future. There is more to be done.

As a result of Councilmember Kennedy’s commitment to history, President Obama’s former residence in Pasadena now bears a plaque that commemorates his time here while a student at Occidental College.

Councilmember John Kennedy often viewed racial and cultural equity through the same lens. The arts provided him with a tangible platform to educate, highlight and encourage recognition of the cultural contributions of those who have been and still are under recognized. His dedication to diversity, inclusion, racial equity, and history was profound. While some may find his goals aspirational, Councilmember Kennedy used his public platform and private persona to express the cultural depths of his being.

BUSINESSMAN. John was a successful businessman who moved seamlessly between corporate America and entrepreneurial ventures. At times, he did both via side ventures while he worked more traditional jobs. He believed that it was important to have financial independence, and he leveraged his entrepreneurial ventures to achieve that independence. Furthermore, that independence enabled him to serve the community in numerous volunteer and other informal roles without having to compromise his values.

In the corporate arena, he worked in management for Countrywide Savings and Loan, the Los Angeles Urban League, Southern California Edison, and AFC Property Management over the years. Entrepreneurially, he was an astute real estate investor who bought, sold, and owned multiple properties. He also launched his management consulting firm in 1989 and worked with clients around the world. His business experiences complemented his community efforts. He viewed business as not just a tool to make money, but also as a vehicle to open doors for young Black men and women in business. His commitment to building healthy relationships extended to the business world, and he leveraged those relationships to help others move forward.

From 1995 to 1998, John served the Richmond, Virginia community as Deputy Chief of Police Administrative Services. John was responsible for the day-to-day administration of the most prominent and respected policing agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Under challenging financial conditions, a $43 million budget was creatively managed to meet the community policing needs of a diverse city. The divisions under John’s direct command, supervision and leadership were: Police Personnel; Police Training Academy; Community Policing & Training; Planning and Development; Computers Services; Financial Management; Property and Evidence; Records and Information Desk and Offduty Employment. Charged with enhancing: Technology; Recruitment and Retention; Training; Policies and Procedures; Private and Nonprofit support; Police Chaplaincy Programs for optimum service delivery, and the search for new facilities.

PRIVATE MAN. While John loved people and wanted to know all about you and how he could be of service to you in moving your agenda forward. Some of his friends had a glimpse into various parts of his life. Yet he was a private person, which I think stems from our parents. My mother would always say: “Keep your private life private; that is why it is called private.” “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” “Do not discuss family business.” Yet, my mother was always helping everyone in the neighborhood and beyond. I think this book will provide insight into John’s love for life and how he came to be such a champion of the people. I also think that he did not want people spending their precious time worrying about him; he preferred to focus on helping others.

THE WORLD THROUGH JOHN’S EYES. Anyone who knew him, knew that John was a world traveler. Like art, traveling was John’s oxygen and in his DNA. He traveled to all the states and to every continent but Australia.

When traveling, he visited museums and then went to see local artists. He would see things that might seem unimportant to others, but he saw value. Wherever he went, he always collected crosses. He also loved learning about how others lived. He was authentically interested in learning where people originated and how they lived. He could strike a conversation with anyone anywhere about a person’s respective country as well about his or her life. He always tried to learn the language when he traveled. In advance of trips, he would get tapes and coaching, so he could communicate wherever he was.

People were a vested interest of his and like art to him. He wanted to know the complexity of a person. He wanted to understand how a person operated. He felt that everyone around the world wants the same basic things for themselves and their families, and we all have that in common. His world travels confirmed that to be true.

Germany was one of the first foreign countries he visited as a teen. After that, he frequently returned to Germany to visit his former host family. Many years later, the kids of that host family visited John in Pasadena. When the host family’s father was dying, the father requested that

John be at his bedside before he died. In accordance with the request, John quickly flew to Germany. COMMUNITY. Community engagement defined John J. Kennedy. He was of the community, by the community, and for the community. He truly believed in involving those impacted in the decision-making process. He further believed that community engagement provides a foundation for trust and the basis for developing sustainable solutions. He unapologetically championed numerous initiatives and projects consistent with those beliefs.

John created community, and his extensive relationships provided the connective tissue for community. For some, community is the street on which they live; for John, it was the entire world. Throughout all of his travels, his relationships helped him to serve the community he loved, Pasadena.

He constantly fought for justice. While others would often forgo a fight that seemed too uncomfortable, he felt a responsibility to his constituents that he had to fight – even if he fought by himself. He fought for police oversight, an African Sister City, a renovated pool at Robinson Park, and housing for seniors and so many other issues. He stood on faith to be of the people and of the voiceless.

He became the man whose love for his community was contagious, yet it was not always reciprocated, but he remained steadfast and clear minded about his purpose. He became the man who could sit at the table with kings, queens, and heads of state as well as sit with his community residents, senior, friends and constituents and individuals less fortunate. He became a man who realized that we are more alike than unalike, and he once arranged for a former gang member to shake the hand of a President, even though that man could not pass Secret Service screening. He became the man who had every opportunity to live anywhere in Pasadena but wanted to live in the community where he could make a difference and work toward building One Pasadena, everyone should have the opportunity to live in safe surroundings. He became the man you saw at the City Council meeting on the Monday night of the same week that God called him home.

His many projects and initiatives that supported and promoted the community included:

Community Swearing-In. After his first election to the Pasadena City Council, Councilmember Kennedy set the tone and publicly signaled his commitment to community engagement when he held a Community Swearing-In Ceremony at the main Pasadena Central Library. The event brought together a cross section of the community and a number of Pasadena officials. Liaisons. Councilmember Kennedy believed that he needed to connect with key constituencies to be most effective. Accordingly, he took the unprecedented step of hiring two liaisons – one Black and one Latino – to maximize connection and engagement among and with his constituents. Effectively, his innovative approached doubled his outreach.

Robinson Park. In one of his first official acts after his election to the Pasadena City Council, Councilmember Kennedy requested and selected a group of community members to provide a Steering Committee for the renovation of Robinson Park Community Center. The mission of the Steering Committee was to serve as a conduit for community engagement and involvement in the renovation process. Throughout over five years of internal meetings, community meetings, surveys, formal outreach efforts, and numerous informal conversations, the Steering Committee remained true to Councilmember Kennedy’s vision of ensuring that the final product –design and functionality – reflected community desires and needs. Additionally, the Steering Committee encouraged the hiring of local workers and local contractors and even secured a commitment to place the primary project funding, a $6 million HUD loan, into a local bank, where the funds could be used to support local businesses and organizations.

Constituent Connections. In addition to holding regular community meetings, Councilmember Kennedy communicated regularly and frequently with his constituents via regular newsletters and emailed statements to commemorate holidays and other important days like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, and July 4. He insisted that his Liaisons quickly and thoroughly respond to constituent concerns. He maintained a high profile community presence to enable constituents to talk to him about their hopes, their dreams, their concerns, and their needs. For example, he served for years as a Chairperson of the So Cal Women’s Health Conference and chaired the conference’s MAN CAVE. In those roles, he interacted annually with over 2,000 attendees.

Police Oversight. At the Community Swearing-In Ceremony, he first stated his interest in studying the potential formation of a Pasadena Police Commission. He believed that public trust is essential to effective policing and maximizing public safety and that public trust is built on a foundation of community engagement. While he did not initially receive the support of the City Council for a police commission, it remained an important goal for John. While serving on and later chairing the Public Safety Committee, Councilmember Kennedy consistently advocated for police oversight, and he initiated the framework for community police oversight. Finally, after the brutal and tragic murder of George Floyd, sentiments changed among the public, corporate America, and his colleagues. The surge in support pressured the City Council to provide police oversight in a formal, independent manner. In October 2020, the Pasadena City Council adopted an ordinance that established the 11 member Community Police Oversight Commission and the position of Independent Police Auditor; gave the commission subpoena power; and housed the commission in the City Attorney’s office. The purpose of the commission includes enhancing, developing, and strengthening community-police relations and reviewing and making recommendations regarding police department operations to the Chief of Police, City Manager, and City Council.

Neighborhood Associations. John consistently supported and interacted with the eight neighborhood associations in his district. He viewed neighborhood associations as a major source of Pasadena’s community strength. He regularly attended events held or formation efforts by the Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association, the W.D. Edson Neighborhood Association, Sunset Oaks Neighborhood Association, Normandie Heights Neighborhood Association, Garfield Neighborhood Association, Craftsman Heights Neighborhood Association, Sunset Avenue Neighborhood Association, and Summit Heights Neighborhood Associations. Some associations were very active in the community, his team was working to empower all the neighborhood associations.

Black History. Councilmember Kennedy proudly celebrated Black History Month each year, and he did so with the knowledge that Pasadena continues to occupy a prominent place in Black History and correspondingly in American history. That history has not always been admirable. Councilmember Kennedy steered the way for Pasadena to participate in ongoing and active efforts to establish truth and reconciliation. The actions by the Board of Trustees of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) provides an example of a new path forward. The Caltech board approved the removal of the names from buildings and anyplace else on campus of past leaders who were in direct contact with the National Socialist Party of Germany. Evidence exists that at least one of those leaders was in contact with Adolph Hitler of Nazi Germany. Additionally, the Human Betterment Foundation was headquartered on the campus of Caltech. Among other atrocities, the Foundation practiced eugenics and was responsible for the forced sterilization of 9,000 Black Servicemen. Those activities were the precursor of the implementation of the “Final Solution” in Nazi Germany.

John placed a premium on history and believed that a healthy community knows its history. He realized that the stories of community elders are important to know, understand, and share. In that spirit, he contacted the head of Pasadena Media, the organization that oversees four local public television channels, and requested that they interview 90+ year old, Pasadena native sisters Hallie Humdy and Gladys Miles. The subsequent interview with the sisters provided firsthand, fascinating stories of early Pasadena and particularly the challenges faced by Black Pasadenans. He was actively working with me to establish the Black Pasadena Historic Committee to create and write the history of Black Pasadena. Affordable housing. A nationwide issue, affordable housing is an acute challenge in high priced Southern California. Councilmember Kennedy believed that a healthy community accommodates residents of all income levels, and by troubling contrast, many native Pasadenans have been forced to move due to lack of affordable housing options. Accordingly, he announced an ambitious plan for Pasadena to construct 1,000 affordable housing units for extremely low-income, very low-income, and low-income residents. After that ambitious goal was met and exceeded, yet a significant number of Pasadena residents remained unhoused, he extended that “moon shot” goal to target the construction of 3,000 affordable housing units. Councilmember Kennedy championed Heritage Square Site II, a supportive housing project for homeless seniors. Located at the northeast corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, the three story mixeduse building will include 65 to 70 units. In his last public appearance, Councilmember Kennedy attended the groundbreaking of this long awaited project.

COVID-19. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Councilmember Kennedy called for community volunteers to assist with the newly initiated Food Delivery Program that delivered over 600 boxes of food during the pandemic. He remained steadfast in helping the community – particularly seniors, and families in need. In addition to the food delivery, he secured a donation to provide 2,000 one-time use masks and 2,000 gloves to the City of Pasadena and continued to provide support throughout the Pasadena community with the assistance of angels and partners.

Quality of Life – Parks. John strongly believed that sharable green spaces provide an important component to enhancing a high quality standard of living in the community. He supported the construction of the new Playhouse Village Park and Parking Lot, which is located on Union Street between El Molino and Oak Knoll Avenues. Organized around a large grass area and surrounded by shade trees, the park will accommodate picnicking, lounging, active play, performances, fairs, and farmers’ markets. The park’s design reflects more than a year of collaboration between the park’s design team, City staff, neighborhood stakeholder groups, and community members.

Additionally, the renovated Robinson Park Recreation Center officially opened its doors on Saturday, January 26, 2019. The renovated facility includes a variety of features, such as a large multipurpose room, fitness center, dance room, and gymnasium that accommodate new and creative programming for sports enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy and develop their talents. After the renovated center reopened, Councilmember Kennedy increased his advocacy to address another need at the site –renovation of the dilapidated pool. On July 5, 2022, Councilmember Kennedy proudly posed with a shovel in hand for the groundbreaking of the final phase of development to repair or replace the Robinson Park pool and pool house. His steadfast advocacy for six years culminated in unanimous approval by the City Council to fund the pool renovation. The swimming pool is projected to open in 2023.

Violence Prevention - Root Causes. Councilmember Kennedy represented one of Pasadena’s most challenging districts that was on the uprise due to his leadership and by educating his colleagues on the importance of working together to create One Pasadena. Unfortunately, violence surfaced periodically. In response, Councilmember Kennedy not only held community meetings to identify root problems and potential solutions, but also created new channels to develop community based approaches. In late 2016 and early 2017, he gathered over 80 clergy, top police officials, City officials, housing organizations, community organization reps, and community members to brainstorm about community centric solutions. This event, “Where the Holy Meets the Hurting,” targeted the root causes.

We Must Breathe. Councilmember Kennedy created the We Must Breathe committee to conduct research, devise proposed solutions, and provide general support to his efforts as Chair of the Public Safety Committee. The We Must Breathe committee generated a report which provides a useful guide and roadmap for continuing John’s vision.

Environmental Issues: Water Issues - Sunset Reservoir. John recognized the importance of sourcing water in semi-arid Southern California. To address this perennial challenge, Councilmember Kennedy held community forums to make his constituents aware of the problem and to brainstorm about potential solutions.

“We Must Breathe”

Philanthropic work: Community Giveaways and Celebrations. Beginning his first year in office, Councilmember Kennedy hosted Annual Turkey Giveaways at Robinson Park Recreation Center and Jackie Robinson Community Center. The tradition expanded to include a holiday gathering at Pasadena’s Central Library that also included food giveaways. The events were supported by a host of volunteers, various City departments, local students, and local businesses who generously responded to Councilmember Kennedy’s requests for support. The events served thousands of families over the years.

Sister City – Dakar-Plateau, Senegal. Councilmember Kennedy’s pièce de resistance was the Pasadena City Council’s unanimous adoption of Dakar-Plateau, Senegal as its newest Sister City and first Sister City on the African continent. Boualem Bousseloub, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Africa and good friend of John, headed the committee that welcomed Mayor Alioune Ndoye of Dakar-Plateau and his delegation in June, 2019 to the City of Pasadena. The committee is currently discussing logistics of how both cities can most benefit from this unique cultural exchange opportunity. The committee established a monthly Speaker Series and will be sending a student delegation to Dakar-Plateau, Senegal in December 2022. In order to continue the legacy of Councilmember Kennedy, please join Pasadena Sister Cities Committee and support the work of the Dakar-Plateau, Senegal Committee.

One Pasadena. Councilperson Kennedy first introduced his overarching theme and passion of One Pasadena during his Community Swearing-In. This theme sought to bridge the gaps between people and neighborhoods across the City. Rooted in the biblical notion of “I am my brother’s keeper,” this theme attempts to counter notions of “that’s their problem” or that it was appropriate to burden already strapped neighborhoods with social services. Instead, a community that truly embraced the notion of One Pasadena would seek equitable opportunities and resources everywhere, not just based on favored (or more affluent) zip codes.

VISIONARY AND NEGOTIATOR. John had vision. He had a way of recognizing the unknown; while others often looked only to the familiar, the already well known. He was blessed to have the insight to see untapped skills and talents. He also had the generosity of spirit to open doors and make connections for those unknown and those with untapped talents. When he sprinkled his “unicorn dust” over people and made introductions or made public acknowledgments, others noticed, and opportunities opened for those formerly “unknown” folks.

When you sat at a table with him and he started talking about what could be and what should be, your first reaction would be to think that is not going to happen. Then, the next thing you knew, he picked up his phone, made a call, and it was happening. He believed if you could think it, it could be. For example, when he sought to become the president of the Pasadena NAACP, he was told he was too young. He responded, “Says who?” Once elected, he restructured the organization to be more effective. He partnered with corporations to obtain jobs for the Black people. He brought a major concert to the Rose Bowl but was told it could not be done. The concert happened. When he became Pasadena NAACP President, there was a debt with the Pasadena Hilton and back rent due on the NAACP headquarters, which meant eviction.

The Hilton would not allow the NAACP annual dinner to take place due to the amount owed. John negotiated with the Hilton to repay the debt. With the Hilton’s approval, John quickly organized the dinner. He called then California Governor Pete Wilson as well as other dignitaries to support him in this effort. They did, and the NAACP was able to pay back the Hilton and generate extra revenue for the organization. He also negotiated with the landlord to repay the back rent, which was successfully repaid.

He did not look at circumstances as an obstacle; he viewed them as opportunities – a worthy, glass halffull perspective. He was tenacious and not fearful about the outcomes when you stand for justice.

PHILANTHROPIST. One of John’s guiding principles was encapsulated in the phrase “to whom much is given, much is required.” That principle inspired John to always help those who were in need. His philanthropic work included giving of his time, money, experience, skills, and talent. He regularly gave to those in need, and he frequently made “loans” that he knew would never be repaid.

He was a staunch supporter of local college students. He supported individuals who could not obtain funding due to lack of knowledge or lack of eligibility. He wanted his support to help students establish a strong financial foundation, rather than merely providing a one-time, temporary fix. Additionally, John and I started a family trust with the Pasadena Community Foundation to honor our parents and support students who were pursuing higher education.

What Made Him The Man He Became

John’s lifelong, close friend Jeff Streator shares the following subchapter of insight and perspective into some of the elements of what made John a renaissance man and some of the earliest manifestations of John’s abilities.

Every now and then I believe God “shows out” to remind us of His awesomeness. Sometimes God demonstrates His genius by bestowing certain people with a variety of gifts, any one of which would be noteworthy. John was one of those especially gifted people.

I first encountered John at Cleveland Elementary School in Pasadena. He was a grade ahead of me, so I didn’t really know him, but I noticed him and his fire-red Afro. It was striking and a little scary. The years were kind to John as his ‘fro transformed to a non-threatening golden brown by the time he finished Junior High School.

I was in awe of John: As an Athlete

During the summer of 1974, when I was a rising 7th grader and John was a rising 8th grader, we both happened be in a fitness class held at McKinley Junior High School. On one particular day, there was a wrestling contest. And, in the championship round, John was to wrestle Kirk, the biggest kid in the class, who was just about all muscle. In my thoughts, I was “betting” on

Kirk. Even though John was pretty big, Kirk was much larger and appeared to have an overwhelming advantage. However, as soon as the coach gave the signal, I became mesmerized by how fast John moved, side to side, back and forth, up and down. He was a blur. Kirk had no chance and John won decisively. Later while an 8th grader, John was able to high jump 5 feet, 4 inches, which was the best in the school and exceeded how tall I was at the time. Awesome!

As a Handyman

Starting in the summer of 1977, John and I became friends when we were teammates on the Junior Varsity basketball team at Blair High School. During that time, I would often go to John’s house. This was shortly after John was able to get a room of his own after most of his older siblings had moved out. At first, his room showed considerable wear and tear. But then John got busy with repairs. He somehow knew how to patch and paint walls, a skill that he taught me. I also saw him go to the hardware store, purchase a screen door, and install it at his home. I was accustomed to such tasks being performed by a grown person — such as my father — but here was a 15-year-old doing them and doing them with considerable expertise, as I am sure was taught to him by his father and older brothers. John was Awesome!

As a Cook

During the summer of 1977, to train for the upcoming season John and I would jog around the Rose Bowl in the early morning and then walk up to my house and prepare something to eat. John showed great knowledge of cooking and explained to me the art of cooking an omelet (“slowly”) and about how to scoop the hot oil on top of the yolks when preparing eggs sunny side up. A young teen with major culinary abilities — Awesome!

As a Go-Getter

At some point, probably during his junior year at Blair High School, John decided to visit Europe. This notion may have been triggered by becoming aware of the People to People Student Ambassador Program. Whatever the case, John was keen on participating. So, what did John do? He raised $3,000 from various sources to make it happen. What 16-year-old has the belief that he can come up with such a large amount of money? John Kennedy. Fast forward to when I graduated from college and John attended: I needed several more graduation tickets to accommodate relatives. Whereas I had been successful in getting only a couple of tickets beyond the four that were issued to every graduate, John was able, in short order, to contact several different students on campus and secure four to five more tickets. The remarkable thing was that John had never been to that campus before and didn’t know anyone but me. John was Awesome!

As a Leader

If memory serves correctly, John was the Student Body President for two years while at Blair High. As President, he had a big influence. There was a class for all the students who were part of the Student Council, including me who was Junior Class President. (By the way, it was John who encouraged me to get involved in student government. I was reluctant, but John was convincing.) John was able to get the instructor of the class to give us all low midterm grades because John felt we weren’t working hard enough. Quite a leader! I was proud, but not surprised that John, a few years later at age 25, became the youngest NAACP chapter president in the nation. John was Awesome!

As a Connector

John had a phenomenal ability to engage people, to develop meaningful interactions, and to find audience with the prominent. He met multiple U. S. Presidents, the heads of state of other countries, and other dignitaries. He had friends — not mere acquaintances — in the halls of Congress. He also met some of our most iconic celebrities, including Oprah and Kobe. John also made a point to connect people with other people when he thought they could benefit from knowing one another. John was Awesome!

As a World Traveler

John’s high school experience as a People Student Ambassador was just the start. Over the years, John made many journeys to many foreign lands and had a knack for embracing the people and the cultures, rather than just seeing the sights. No doubt his love of travel played a role in connecting the City of Pasadena to Dakar-Plateau, Senegal. John was Awesome!

As an Art Collector and Home Decorator

John had a deep love of art, and he purchased many fine paintings and sculptures from various places he visited. I enjoyed hearing from John about how he came to secure a particular piece. There was always a story about the significance of the artwork and about the negotiations on price. From an early age, John saw himself not only as a citizen of the United States, but also as a citizen of the world, and his passion for art and culture was an expression of that perspective. His display of art was part of an overall aesthetic that permeated his home. I don’t know of anyone who could adorn a home any better than John. John was Awesome!

As a Businessman/Real Estate Dealer

John appreciated the value of money early on and he found out how to both earn it and leverage it. One of the areas in which he found success was real estate. Over the years, John bought, renovated, and sold multiple houses. Some years ago, when I was in town, John went through a list of about four to five properties that he had sold during the preceding several months. John

was Awesome!

As a Mentor/Advisor

John was always giving advice, whether solicited or not. When John spoke, people couldn’t help but listen because what he said was rooted in wisdom and love. He fundamentally cared about the well-being of others and was supportive of anyone trying to do good, trying to live better, trying to reach for excellence, or trying to make a positive contribution to society. John was particularly focused on young people. He took a great interest in the lives of his many nieces and nephews as well as the children of his contemporaries. For example, for the last few years he had been periodically sending Bible verses to my two oldest children, who are now in their early 20s. John was Awesome!

As a Friend

John was first and foremost my friend. He was supportive of my success, he challenged me to be my best, and he allowed me to challenge him. He was the best man in my wedding when I was married in 1988, and he even sang the Lord’s Prayer during the ceremony. That marriage lasted a while, but ultimately didn’t work out. It wasn’t John’s fault! Therefore, I asked him to be my best man once again in 2006, which he did. The marriage is still going strong — thank God — and it was great to have John participate in the wedding. Not only was John there in times of celebration and triumph, but also, he provided a great listening ear and wise counsel during my most difficult moments. I am wiser, stronger, smarter, work harder, and have a closer walk with God because I came to know John Kennedy. I am honored to be called Rev. Streator and to have pastored two different churches for a total of 20 years. It was back in high school, soon after we became friends that John invited me to his church — Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena. At first, I declined the invitation, but John responded with, “Are you sure?” I then said, “ok.” A few Sundays later, I accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. John was a spiritually-minded teenager who sought to connect people to the Creator. John was Awesome!

In Closing

Let me conclude my remarks with quotations from my oldest two children, Janae (22) and Micaiah (23), who texted me after hearing of John’s passing:

Micaiah: “We know how close you were to him — Mr. John was always enjoyable to be around. He’s been sending Janae and me scriptures randomly for the last few years. I hope to leave people feeling the way he did. Truly he will be missed.”

Janae: “Yes. I was looking through his messages today. He was like an uncle to us and was always so kind, funny, positive, and motivating me to be a leader.”

John was Awesome!

It was back in September 2006, when I was exhibiting my work at the annual Congressional Black Caucus convention in Washington, D.C., that I first met John. He was contemplating my work intently while nodding his head up and down in satisfaction. He turned to me and said “Are you the artist?” and I replied “yes, it’s me!” He congratulated me, handed me his business card, and added, “When you come to Los Angeles, contact me.” From that day on, John followed my work through my social networks and posted his appreciation for each new piece I created.

In 2010, I created a piece that honored the victory of the firstever African American President of the USA, Barack H. Obama. Knowing John’s activities, I emailed him a photo of the work and wrote: “I would like to touch the 44th President of the United States with this work, is this possible? Can you help me?” and he replied: “My name is John Kennedy, anything is possible!”

He was incredibly energetic. My name and an image of the work reached the White House and the presidential couple who had greatly appreciated my art. John had kept his promise by helping me achieve my goal. But another piece of art had already been chosen to be the official one, so mine could not be chosen. John suggested that we offer it together to the people of his beloved Pasadena – an idea I was very happy with. And so, John Jackson Kennedy changed the course of my life and my career.

After more than 15 years, our friendship has remained intact despite the distance, he remains a mentor, a brother and symbolically, a godfather to my son Cameron. A spiritual bond united us.

Today, for me, 21 July is not only my birthday but also the celebration of a life, that of a friend. Rest in peace John.

As usual, during our photo session, John decided, unsolicited, to stand before us and tell us how much he loved us, and he talked about the importance of having a relationship with God. Our greatest treasure is our family; we may not always agree, and we clearly are not perfect, but we love each other with all our hearts. John quoted Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, “We must use time creatively in the knowledge that the time is always right to do right.” John continued to say, “Don’t waste time doing nothing!” John was always sharing his words of wisdom. This photo was taken in June of 2022.