By Jennifer Marino
Cynthia Durden-Mitchell still remembers struggling to stay in her father's wide footsteps as he led her and his parishioners home to safety. The story illustrates the leadership skills not only of Reverend Durden, but also of the Rev. Frank Robinson, both of whom were honored by the Rockville Centre Housing Authority on May 31.
In tribute to the two men, whose lives challenge those who seek to follow in their footsteps, trees were planted near Old Mill Court and two buildings were named after them.
Rev. Philip McDowell, pastor of the South Hempstead Baptist Church, remembered serving as a preacher under Durden's leadership. He expected people to do what was right, said McDowell, but he added that Durden always loved him even when he stumbled. Ernestine Small, Economic Opportunity Council director, spoke of Durden's role as peacekeeper on the Housing Authority Board. Durden died in 1995.
Robinson, better known as Frankie to those who spoke about him, was also a great leader in the West End and, like Durden, he loved children. He had a great influence on Patrick Morris, director of the Martin Luther King Center. Robinson attended South Side High School with Morris' mother, Elizabeth, when there were only four or five black students in the whole class.
As Morris grew up, Robinson made sure he had summer jobs, and while he provided direction and guidance, he wanted Morris to find his own answers. He did orchestrate things so that Morris ended up as the director of the MLK Center, a job Robinson was the first to hold.
Morris remembered that the reverend had his own unique perspective. When asked why he left his car parked with the keys in the ignition, Robinson would respond, If someone steals this car, they need it more than I do.
There was also Robinson's ability to bring people together. Childhood friend Otis Mitchell remembers that people of all races attended Robinson's funeral in 1996. When it came to dealing with people, he was colorless, said Mitchell.
Current Housing Authority Board Vice Chairman William Devlin ended the ceremony saying that both men educated him.
