“I was raised in Cleaborn Homes in the late 50’s and 60’s. The projects were so nice in those days. People knew everybody, shared their food, stayed out on porches talking, and read their newspapers outside on Sundays. We had our own store. The kids all played and got along. We’d stay outside all night playing, anytime, and we’d be safe.
“Everything was encouraging in those days. My father studied the Bible, and we had Bible studies in our home and in the community every week. There were 14 in our family: 12 children plus our parents. My father taught me how to be a mechanic. He’d fix the toys that kids brought over, and he helped me build a bicycle out of parts. What we couldn’t afford, we made. And we all worked together. My parents made sure we kept the yard up, cleaned, and learned how to cook. In fact, we’re all still good cooks.
“Club Paradise was around the corner, so we heard musicians play. We’d go down to Beale Street too and hear musicians like B.B. King and others. I still love going downtown. It brings back so many memories. My life has been an adventure.
“Autobiography of a Kid Named Jimmie is my third book and is about those days growing up in the projects.”
“Everything was encouraging in those days. My father studied the Bible, and we had Bible studies in our home and in the community every week. There were 14 in our family: 12 children plus our parents. My father taught me how to be a mechanic. He’d fix the toys that kids brought over, and he helped me build a bicycle out of parts. What we couldn’t afford, we made. And we all worked together. My parents made sure we kept the yard up, cleaned, and learned how to cook. In fact, we’re all still good cooks.
“Club Paradise was around the corner, so we heard musicians play. We’d go down to Beale Street too and hear musicians like B.B. King and others. I still love going downtown. It brings back so many memories. My life has been an adventure.
“Autobiography of a Kid Named Jimmie is my third book and is about those days growing up in the projects.”
Jimmie L. Powell worked as an aircraft mechanic at FedEx for 34 years. He and his wife have served as foster and adoptive parents.
Books by Jimmie L. Powell:
Books by Jimmie L. Powell:
- Autobiography of a Kid Named Jimmie
- The Squirrel, the Worm, and the Nut Trees
- The Squirrel, the Worm, and the Nut Trees 2
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