PROFILES

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OCTOBER 2004 PROFILE

Joseph was raised in Jackson Mississippi were he learned about life the hard way. By his own admission, he had gotten involved with the wrong crowd, a gang of sorts.

One redeeming factor that entered into his life was one of his high school teachers, Ms. Sweet, who always tried to teach her students more about social standards as well as the class subjects at hand. She made a constant effort to elevate “her children’s” goals above the neighborhood’s poor conditions. She preached that an honest application of ability and skills would lead to a better life.

Of all her students, Ms. Sweet focused particular on young Joseph. He learned to admire her and her message that anyone, regardless of race or other obstacles in society, could rise above it and succeed, that by resisting peer pressure and gaining an education he would be headed in the right direction.

                  Joseph `WIDEGLIDE' Edwards and wife AMPARO

Even though Joe admired his teacher for giving him hope for a better life, it was virtually impossible to break out of “the hood” and sure enough, that lead to an incident that could have ruined all chances for grabbing the brass ring.

Not knowing who or where to turn, Joe visited privately with his admired schoolteacher and confessed all about his predicament. Ms Sweet encouraged him by letting him know all was not lost as long as there was hope. She insisted he would have to make the ultimate effort and take concrete steps to break out of his environment and routine.

Ms. Sweet personally helped Joe to make his way to relatives in Visalia, California. Her repayment was a promise from Joe to turn his life around and finish high school. In 1962 he fulfilled that commitment.

During his stay in Visalia, Joe took odd jobs to keep busy and off the streets, one working as a grape cutter until he almost cut off a finger.

Shortly after graduating, he saved enough money to pay cash for a ’59 Olds and took off to return back home to Jackson.

First thing I did when I got home was going directly to Ms. Sweet house and show her my diploma. Although she was proud of me, that wasn’t good enough. She said anyone could complete High School and in order to make a real difference, I would need to go to College. She also gave me hell for the way I’d financed my way across country and stated I should have worked a little longer to save enough to pay for my gas and food. Patience and honesty was the only worthwhile way.

Joe was so inspired by what Ms. Sweet’s motivation had meant to his life that he decided to follow in her foot steps. As he related, “I thought about where I would probably have ended up if it hadn’t been for that special lady. And I knew the only way I could pay her back was to pass it on. Try to help make a difference in some other young people’s lives. I decided to become a TEACHER!”

Joe went to Cahoma Junior College in Clarksdale, Mississippi and at Ms. Sweet’s insistence; he went on to Jackson State University where he obtained his Industrial Arts degree in 1965. In 1971 he accomplished his Bachelor of Science and finally in 1977 he obtained his Master of Science degree in Education.

In the fall of 1977 he got a job teaching 9th and 10th grade students at Clardon, Ark. Why those age kids? “Because they were some of the most un-disciplined there fore there was a shortage of teachers willing to tackle those grades. I was still young enough to understand where they were coming from. I could relate on their level and I think that I did make a difference.

In 1981 Joe got an opportunity to teach in the Fort Worth, Texas area. It paid a lot more money. As the years have gone by he has been recognized for numerous accomplishments.

Joe was selected as “Teacher of the Month” several times and “Teacher of the Year” in 1995 and 1996 while teaching at Brewer High School. He was also appointed to head up the “Crime Stopper” Program. Joe became a member of the BOOZEFIGHTERS MC in 1994 and in May of 1995 convinced the BFMC in Fort Worth to adopt an “At Risk Student”, Tommy Stines that was on the verge of dropping out of High School. In addition to some personal attention, members helped Tommy get some decent cloths and motivated him to stay in school and graduate. Then the BFMC assisted Tommy in enrolling in Tarrant Junior College. Last we heard, Tommy had turned his life around and was becoming successful and productive (see related story and news clippings below).

JQ - `HISTORY’