Wayman Warren has earned the distinction of Living Legend in our book for his dedication and love for the youth of our hometown. In our youth (he is my classmate) we called him Billy Jack. He immulated the character in his quiet manner, self defense skills and manner of dress.

He picked the drum sticks up at twelve years old and taught himself to play drums. Jimi Hendrix and James Brown were his inspirations. He and fellow Brooklynites, Larry Abraham, Kenneth Walker, David Bell, Larry Hines and Kyle Becket formed a band which they named Spirit.

At a time when our community was experiencing a turbulent time, Wayman and his partner Jimi Green stepped up. This duo has been an inspiration to many of our youth who had no one to look up to. They encouraged them with words of wisdom, poured their time into them. For more than twenty years, he and Jimi sponsored (and sometimes paying from their own pockets the expenses) talent shows, Easter Egg Hunts, Christmas dances, took bus loads of youth to skating parties. The weekly talent shows offered our youth a chance to shine, showcasing their skills. Wayman gave free drum lessons, Jimi taught them stage presence and gave voice lessons.

To those who lived their younger years in larger municipalities with services and activities to address the needs of their youth, you may not understand the impact Wayman and Jimi had on our youth and community. This team of community activist provided activities for our youth every weekend which gave them direction and purpose. Parents knew where their children where and that they were in a safe environment.

Our hometown has never given Wayman and Jimi their props, their contributions have been overlooked by many. The youth whose lives they touched, will always hold them in high esteem with respect and honor as we do. Thank you for your service to our community Wayman King Hannibal Warren.