Congressman Elijah Cummings, Crusader For Justice, Our Leader Has Fallen

I was up late last evening/early this morning and was shocked to learn my former mentor, employer, and friend Congressman Elijah Cummings has passed from labor to reward. Our relationship was a complicated one for some years. I met the Congressman when he was Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates. I was running the Break The Cycle homeless employment program. I asked him to come speak at a participant graduation, and afterwards, we spent almost two hours talking. I had not too long before been homeless myself with a family, and I shared my dreams and desires professionally and in ministry.

When Kwiesi Mfume announced he would step down as Congressman for Maryland’s 7th Congressional District, I prophesied to him, and told him he would win the seat! He was extremely resistant, he had a safe seat, and he did not feel he could beat the formidableRev. Dr. Frank M. Reid. I along with his future campaign manager Julius Henson and others prevailed upon him to run, and the rest is history! Afterwards, he and I had a long conversation as he dropped me off at my home, saying that he was going to support me in going back to school, and my goal to start a church.

When he was being seated, he expressed his desire to serve on the Ways and Means committee to former Minority Leader Richard “Dick” Gephardt. Gephardt instead gave the coveted assignment to a white independent, and Congressman Cummings ripped Gephardt anew one! Ironically, his consolation was to serve as ranking member of the committee that raised his National profile, the House Government Reform and Oversight.

During my tenure working for Congressman Cummings, I served as his principal representative. In that role, if the Congressman could not attend an event, I would substitute for him. Those events allowed me to rapidly build my own profile with political, elected, business, and community leaders throughout the Central Maryland region. In fact, many folks would say if the Congressman, can't come, send the "young man", we like him!

He and I after some time had a great falling out, and I felt he like every other Black man in my life who failed to keep his word to me, including my late father. I literally spent years having a deep animus towards him. In fact, I am ashamed to say that I was venomous to say the least towards him. At events we attended, I would give the "mean look"treatment, and when his name was mentioned, I would give my mini tirade!

On one fateful day, 16 years after my employment with the Congressman, I saw him in my development. I felt a push from God to repent to him for my actions and animus towards him that were unfitting for a believer, let alone a Minister of the Gospel. As I approached him, he looked apprehensive, but we talked, I repented, and he expressed his remorse for any hurt he caused me. In fact, he said he had been following me, and he stated he was so proud of me in how I had risen to become

Sr. Advisor to the Governor at that time. I can't begin to tell you what that meant to me, and I still cherish that memory! I was able to also see him grow and rise to become a Senior Statesman in the Congress. Presidents Clinton and Obama loved him, and he was a go to person for both leaders. My heart is heavy for his dear wife, and leader in her own right, Dr. Maya Rockeymoore-Cummings, his children, family, staff, and the Baltimore community!

He was such a fiery and captivating orator. The son of sharecropping preachers, we would always tease him that he was what we call in Black Church circles, a "bootleg preacher." His speeches would easily turn into fiery sermons laced with a "come on now" and "ya'll don't her me!" Often as he concluded speeches, he would quote the immortal words made famous by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, former President of Morehouse College:

I have only just a minute,

Only sixty seconds in it.

Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.

Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it.

But it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it.

Give account if I abuse it.

Just a tiny little minute,

but eternity is in it.

Thank you, Congressman, you touched so many lives including mine. I'm grateful God allowed us to reconcile. You definitely made the most of your minute! See you over there!