Donald Grant

It is rare that one can gain a mentor, confidant, and supporter all in one. I had the pleasure of meeting Councilman John J Kennedy years ago during a meeting in Pasadena while he was serving as the City’s Vice Mayor. His “get to the point cadence of speech” and “no-nonsense demeanor” spoke to me immediately. I wanted to know more about this man who seemed to embody the perfect balance of power and delicateness no matter what room he entered.

We became fast friends and the next thing I know; I was one of the many trusted colleagues in his “Call Now” rolodex. I found myself invited and conscripted to committees, task forces, and speakers’ panels across the county as John saw fit. He would call and get right to the point … ”Dr. Grant, I need you here at this time. Can you make that work?” Needless to say, I would always make it work.

We shared details of our upbringing and our trials and tribulations across two very different generations and geographies. We planned research projects and philanthropic efforts to amplify marginalized voices across the county. “Dr. Grant, we’re depending on you” he would say. Well, I was depending on him to stick around a little longer… a lot longer actually. He had a belief in people that stretched them to a capacity they didn’t even know they had. He wouldn’t ask you if you could do it, he would tell you that you could do it…because he knew that you could.

Life can be filled with so many obstacles, some trivial, some meaningful. John forced me to look into mirrors that I didn’t know existed. He spent time reflecting in those mirrors with me as he reminisced on his past and planned for his future. I was in awe of his ability to capture a room while bringing his full self into it. There wasn’t a moment where you had to question where John sat, he always made his positions unambiguously clear. I am hopeful to one day reach the potential that my friend and mentor saw in me. Until we meet again my friend, until we meet again.

Donald E Grant Jr. Mindful Training Solutions, LLC

As I reflect on my 30 or more years friendship with John J. Kennedy all I can say is that John was truly a servant of the people, a fighter for righteousness and a man more committed to the service of others more than serving himself.