Pauline Henson, 86, celebrated two events this year that, as a child growing up in Kinloch, she never thought she would see.
First, her granddaughter graduated from McCluer High School, a school she was not able to attend because she is black.
And second, her son Charles Henson became the second black male to serve as president of the Ferguson-Florissant School District’s Board of Education.
“I just can’t believe he can be in the position he’s in now,” she said.
Pauline Henson is herself now a retired teacher. She remembers as a student taking the city bus to Webster Groves, where she attended one of the few schools that would provide her with free tuition.
As board president, Charles Henson inherits responsibility of one of the state’s highest-performing school districts with a predominately minority population. The district has an 80 percent black student population, and 98 percent of its students graduate from high school.
The district is fully accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary. The DESE review noted, “You ought to feel good about your school district.” Also, the district’s Board of Education has received the Outstanding Board of Education award from the Missouri School Board Association.
Though Henson is the newest member on the Board of Education, his acclaimed leadership in the community, management in business and understanding as a district parent won over the public’s approval in the April 2009 election.
“He’s been living in this area all his life,” said John Knowles, a fellow board member. “He has his finger on the pulse.”
Knowles said Henson’s skills as a community leader and promoter of diversity are assets in addressing the area’s racial issues.
“We know there’s a black and white problem in St. Louis, and St. Louis will not move forward until it’s dealt with, especially in a district like Ferguson-Florissant,” Knowles said.
“Chuck brings a good perspective, especially for us white guys. We want to understand, but don’t. He’ll give us an honest opinion.”
In 2004, Henson helped to initiate the district’s High Achievement For All Taskforce, which brings community members, students, faculty and administrators together to talk about racial issues and the academic performance gap.
Henson brought a technique to the taskforce called Courageous Conversations, which he learned with PROUD, a community diversity group he leads.
“What we found was, when you sit people down across culture and ethnicity and profession on a topic and start to share your stories, people start opening up,” Henson said.
“And that’s what it’s all about, building relationships. Because I always say, ‘It’s very difficult to dislike someone you know.’”
Both veteran and newer board members agree that Ferguson-Florissant schools have felt less racial tension since they have been holding the discussions.
‘There were some challenges’
However, as a student at McCluer High School in the 1970s, Henson remembers being one of the few black students in a predominately white district.
“There were some challenges there for us as students,” Henson said.
“And my children, what I find really unique is that they don’t see color as a major issue. I wouldn’t say they’re color-blind, but it’s not a barrier for them. And I think I see that throughout the student population.”
Henson has a son and daughter who have graduated from the district, and his younger son is still attending McCluer High School.
For 19 years, Henson owned a business in Ferguson called Design Alternatives, a recruitment and employment firm. With the economic downturn, the district has struggled to maintain its resources and keep all its employees. However, Henson said he brings strong business skills to the table, and the board members all work together to keep the district from losing money.
Henson comes from a family tradition of educators. His interest in participating in the school board also comes from a promise he made to himself and God in college. At 19, Henson contracted leukemia as a college sophomore and endured painful medical tests and cancer treatment.
“It was at that point I said, ‘Get me through this and I’ll make a difference,’” he said.
Last year, the City of Ferguson named Henson Citizen of the Year because of his dedication to building a strong community.
Jeff Spiegel, the district’s superintendent, said Henson has been a district supporter for many years.
“He gets it,” Spiegel said.
“He really understands that diversity brings richness to life, and it’s through understanding each other and working together to overcome issues of oppression and privilege that help us to become better human beings, better school districts and better communities.”
In 2002, Henson came to the board with a concept and strategy, Each Child is Our Own, which is now the district’s motto.
“I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if every administrator, every teacher, from the janitor to the bus driver, looked at those children as their own?’” Henson said.
“That nurturing piece makes the difference when you put it in education.”
For Rebecca S. Rivas’ video profile of Charles Henson, visit www.stlamerican.com.
