Armory Center for the Arts

Coming in as the new CEO for the Armory Center for the Arts four years ago, we met at Armory Center for the Arts.

John J. Kennedy was so much more than our City Councilmember. He was a stalwart supporter, advocate, and friend of Armory Center for the Arts. Nearly four years ago, he was one of the first Pasadena leaders to greet me with a warm welcome to my new position at the Armory. We met at Eden Garden Grill for lunch and immediately jumped into his mental rolodex of all the Japanese American Pasadeneans with whom he had gone to school with or knew through his public service.

We shared a vision for a unified, multi-ethnic Pasadena. Our work together spanned from his invitation for me to serve on his We Must Breathe Advisory Committee to his annual turkey giveaways to our work on Brenner Park. He always made sure that the arts were present, and the Armory was there to support. Councilmember Kennedy, always toting his warm smile, brilliant mind and kind heart, generously took constituent calls, including mine to discuss the safety at the Walnut/Raymond intersection or the need for a crosswalk connecting the Armory to Memorial Park, organized people who were like minded, and most endearingly sent text messages of gratitude, calls to action, and Mother’s Day greetings.

The last time I saw him was at the 100 West Walnut Development Historic Monument Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. He said, “I look forward to adding even more of my voice to the exposition of the historical and present significance of the monument(s) in the days, months, and years ahead.” This is his call to us, and we will continue to follow his lead. I am full of gratitude for all he has done for our community. His vision will live on through our work together.

Leslie A. Ito CEO

Brotherhood Crusade

The Brotherhood Crusade has had a relationship with The Honorable John Kennedy for more than three decades. His deep-rooted love for his Pasadena community and family was felt in South Los Angeles and around the world.

John had an infectious spirit and soul that was contagious. He was a child of GOD and was not afraid to bless others with his anointed gift. He shared this text with me on November 14, 2013. “Lots to be thankful for. Have one of those days where you just feel God’s guiding presence, knowing that something good is happening to you right now. Sanctification, Health, Provisions, Relationships, Vision, … binding of the enemy’s power!” It doesn’t get much better than knowing you have a friend who was watching over you on earth and now is watching over you in heaven. John Kennedy will be remembered by his Brotherhood Crusade Family as:

Joyous Open-Hearted Honorable Noble

Kindness Excellence Nurturing Neighborly Ethical Democratic Youthful

With

Love,

Charisse Bremond Weaver, President and CEO

Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles

My father taught John, Lena, and other members of the Kennedy family when they were students at Blair High School. My father introduced me to John not long thereafter – while I was a student at Howard University, where John eventually attended law school. We remained friends for the rest of his life. He spoke at my father’s funeral; I supported his campaigns for City Council both with financial contributions and by walking the district with him; he attended my orchestra’s performances and invited us to bring ensembles to participate in significant City events – like the dinner to welcome Dakar Plateau, Senegal’s mayor to the City.

I thought of him as a younger brother, and we treated each other like brothers should – not just like biological brothers should, but like brothers who have a common purpose should. I know that he had more work to do, and I hope that those who come behind him on the City Council and in his other leadership activities will abide by his guiding light. Not only are we all better people because we have known John, but also the City is a better City, and our community is a better community because of him. Let us celebrate his life by continuing the work to which he committed himself.

Charles Dickerson Executive Director and Conductor Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles