Walker Ford Community Center
By Geneva Hackley Westley
Posted: 4:49p.m .est, October 08, 2006
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DR. C.E. WALKER: The Walker in Walker Ford is ninety one years old, Dr. C. E. Walker. Walker, the grandson of slaves, was born in 1911 and reared on a farm in Oklahoma that his father homesteaded before Oklahoma was a state. He received the bachelor’s degree from Langston University in 1936, the master’s degree from Massachusetts State College in 1945, and the doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1948.

DR. C.E. WALKER   JAMES R.FORD

He moved to Tallahassee to become Dean of the School of Agriculture and Home Economics at Florida A & M University (FAMU) in 1948. He also served as director of Sponsored Research and Grants until he retired in 1976.

In 1967, teenagers in his Sunday School class at Flipper Chapel A.M.E. Church expressed a desire to have a recreational facility in the Bond Community. As a Christian model, mentor and surrogate father to children he empowered the students by organizing them into a powerful group, the Safe Environment Committee that would grow to encompass members from area churches, FAMU, Bonds school, and parents and children in the community. They worked with city officials, the Federal Department of Agriculture and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to obtain city, state, federal and church-matching funds to establish the center.

On June 13, 1976, the center that could be seen from Walker’s home was dedicated to Dr. Walker and Mr. James Ford. The center is a living memorial to them.

Dr. Walker also served as Superintendent of the Sunday School. His students learned the secret of his success, the belief that with an abiding faith in God, honesty, a good education, and a willingness to work and sacrifice a person can achieve happiness and success
in America.

The late Marjorie Brazier was married to Dr. Walker for thirty-two years. They had one daughter, Dr. Deidre Powell and three grandsons, Robert Jr., Courtney and Marlowe Powell.


JAMES R. FORD: The Ford in Walker Ford Community Center is Tallahassee native James R. Ford, a graduate of Old Lincoln High School. He graduated from Florida A & M University earning both his bachelor and masters degrees and pursued postgraduate study at the University of Missouri. A member of the first ROTC graduating class at Florida A & M College (FAMCEE), he served in both the United States Navy and the Army.

Mr. Ford returned to Tallahassee where he excelled in both education and politics. For thirty-seven years he served as a teacher and administrator in Leon County. Mr. Ford also devoted fourteen years as a City Commissioner. He achieved many notable "firsts," including Tallahassee’s first Black city commissioner; Tallahassee’s first Black mayor (elected by fellow commissioners to serve terms in 1972, 1976 and 1982); first commissioner to appoint Blacks to serve on the Tallahassee Housing Authority: first Black to serve as mayor of a Capital City doing the 20th century; first Black administrator of a predominantly White school in Leon County; first commissioner to provide funds for FAMU homecoming ; first driver education teacher in Leon county; first Black manager of a radio station in Tallahassee.

The uniqueness and versatility of Mr. Ford is found in the accomplishments, and the many awards and honors that he has received. These awards are too numerous to list. His involvement in the establishment of Walker Ford is an example of Mr. Ford’s committement to the community. His most cherished accomplishment is his work in getting the Leon County Civic Center built.

Mr. Ford and his wife, the former Clinita Eloise Arnsby celebrated their 52nd anniversary on May 27th.. They are the proud parents of three accomplished children, the grandparents of six adorable grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Walker Ford Community Center

For twenty-seven years Walker Ford has served the Bond Community and people throughout Tallahassee. The center is a living tribute to educator Dr. C.E. Walker and former mayor James Ford. According to director Joe Thomas, an average of one hundred and forty thousand people visit the center per year.

Walker Ford Community Center. Assistant director Grady and Eddie “Boo” Williams of the New Orleans Saints. Williams spent his childhood years at the Community center.

The idea of having a recreational facility was conceived in a Sunday school class taught by Dr. Walker at Flipper Chapel A.M.E. Church, He was a teacher, a role model, baseball coach and mentor for many children. His daughter, Dr. Deidre Powell said that he was not just a special person in her life but also ìplayed a major role in the rearing of her sons and neighborhood children.î Ruby Bradley Edwards one of the students in the Sunday School Class credits Dr. Walker for the success of the movement. ìHe told us that if we were serious about getting a recreational facility to meet with him to pursue options.î The group met and under the leadership of Dr. Walker formed the Safe Environment Committee. Land was donated for the project from FAMU. Mayor Ford and representatives from the city, the community, churches and FAMU united to make the center a reality.

On June 13, 1976 the 20,000 square foot center had its grand opening. The center has a huge gymnasium, a 25-meter pool, activity rooms, outdoor courts and fields. City Parks and recreation employee Mrs. Beulah Gregory came to Walker Ford from Dade Street Community center ( new name is the Lawrence- Gregory Center in honor of Mrs. Gregory) to open the new center as its first director. She brought with her a wealth of experience and enthusiasm. Mrs. Gregory said that Dr. Walker would bring kids to the center in his truck and often donated funds for them.

Mr. Joe Thomas, the current director has worked at the center since it opened. He enjoys working at Walker Ford. He believes that you need to be totally involved with the community. The programs reflect the needs of the people. In 1993 when Tallahassee experienced a rise in gang and juvenile crime, a community coalition was formed and late night basketball was started as a way to get the children off the streets. The center is also the location of Camp Discovery, a two week day camp for physically or mentally challenged children. The popular summer program camp is full and capped. Assistant director Grady pointed out that the center activities are informative, educational, entertaining, cultural and flexible. He said that over the years, students have had the opportunity to meet government leaders like Governor Chiles and entertainers like M.C. Hammer and the Harlem Globe Trotters. Some professional ball players like Eddie ìBooî Williams of the New Orleans Saints and the rap group Nappy Heads are former participants of
Walker Ford.