A great man: A tribute to Ahmed Akinwole Alhamisi, one of the Scarboro 85

No matter how tangled our lives seem, be they deep rooted by unfair treatment or lost opportunities, there are many who transform their lives with new horizons and opportunities. Such was the late Dr. Ahmed Akinwole Alhamisi, formerly known as Lawrence Graham Jr., one of the Scarboro 85.

His Celebration of Life ceremony was held Oct. 5, 2024 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Oak Ridge.

Dr. Alhamisi was one of the children of the Manhattan Project who helped change the course of history as one of the 85 Black students who first integrated the schools in Oak Ridge, the state of Tennessee, and the Southeast on Sept. 5, 1955. He broke through the color barrier again on Dec. 3, 1955, as he was one of the first Black student athletes to play with white student athletes in a public schools basketball game in the Southeast. By breaking through this barrier, he paved the way for athletes to compete in sports at all levels.

As I read his interview in “Tender Warrior,” a book about Black and white integration, tears ran down my face and my mind is totally drained. Just to imagine someone like Dr. Alhamisi – so endowed with a combination of speed, strength, agility and endurance – to not be able to experience his full potential as an athlete.

He aspired to think, act, and proceed as winner. He chose education as the vehicle.

Completing his B.S. degree at Tennessee State University in Nashville, a master’s degree in industrial education at Stout State University and later his doctorate of philosophy degree in occupational education and instructional technology, he did not let what he experienced as a youth traumatize him and halt his desire to achieve greatness. He continued to have a positive attitude about himself and all he endeavored – real or imagined. He believed in himself, which was reiterated by his children at his Celebration of Life service. His children and family members shared that he inspired people through education and self-awareness and that he was a loving father, husband, sibling and family member.

“We want the community to embrace him as a gifted artist, poet, and author and acknowledge his contributions through literature that embraced history,” said one of his children. His children shared of his contributions to several educational curriculums that are recognized nationally and abroad. Looking back through my Berea College archives, as a upcoming poet I noticed I had used some of his works in my possession. I did not know the author I was referencing was my neighbor and one of the Scarboro 85 students.

You might say Dr. Alhamisi was a renaissance man who was knowledgeable, educated, and proficient in a wide range of fields. Some in my neighborhood remembered watching him exhibit his athletic ability in track, baseball, or basketball and hoped that with such talent he would be afforded the opportunity to share that talent with sports teams. He was recruited by several baseball leagues and participated in Olympic trials.

Kwayu Graham said, “My uncle shared these words during the final conversation with me. ‘Always maintain your mental character – you know what is right and wrong. Be reporters of truth, and be your own dictionary – define who you are. Do not let others define you.'”

Dr. Ahmed Akinwole Alhamisi knew that opportunity would not prevail, so he applied faith and action that positive ideas would be revealed. He planted the seeds of success and challenged each one of us to take hold and surpass all our expectations. A great man. I wish I had an opportunity to converse with this renaissance man who appreciated the distance he traveled.

Longtime Oak Ridge resident Rose Weaver is the city’s poet laureate.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: A great man: A tribute to Ahmed Akinwole Alhamisi

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