Religion & Spirituality

Cliff Frazier, a man for all seasons and a life of purpose

By HERB BOYD, with ALIYA FRAZIER and MINERVA DIAZ

Special to the AmNews

In a life that was as inexhaustible as it was purposeful, it’s not easy to label Cliff Frazier. Through his commitment to a sundry of organizations and institutions, he touched a multitude and inspired countless number of aspirants in the world of business, community and humanitarian service, and the arts. Cliff, a veritable renaissance man, made his transition on Feb. 3. He was 87.

Cliff was born Aug. 27, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan to Larney Frazier and Willa Mae Revely; and much later attended Wayne State University. Earlier in his life, as an actor, he appeared in numerous theatrical and television productions. His legendary performance in Samuel Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape” was reviewed by one of USA’s most influential Broadway director and drama critics, Harold Clurman, with the following comment: “Frazier’s performance was masterful. He is one of the finest actors in the United States.”

“Although Cliff and my life in art was well connected…,” said Woodie King, Jr. of New Federal Theater, recounting their early years together in Detroit in which they performed separately to rave reviews in a trio of plays “Study in Color” by the late Rev. Malcolm Boyd. Later, after this success they embarked for New York City in 1965. “He was cautious about leaving…he wanted to teach and train young people.” Upon arrival in New York, Cliff landed the lead role in “Lorenzaccio” by Alfred De Musset, King continued. “It was a big hit and I was able to secure a job with the help of Robert Hooks at Mobilization for Youth. Cliff ran the training program for young people of color in acting and theater arts.

“Cliff was always looking ahead,” King added. “He hooked up with Voza Rivers and Ademola Olugebefola to start the Dwyer Culture Center in Harlem. We kept up a long and productive friendship and he served as chairman of the New Federal Theatre’s board of directors for 15 years, during which the NFT honored Ossie Davis and Sidney Poitier.”

In 1968 after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Cliff left his acting career and dedicated himself to the fulfillment of Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community” free of the evils of racism, poverty, and violence. He created programs and activities specifically aimed at fulfilling this vision.

Cliff lived a life devoted to the “Beloved Community.” During the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, alongside Ossie Davis who was the driving force, Cliff helped change the face of the media industry. Through organizations like Community Film Workshop Council (CFWC), Third World Cinema (TWC) and the Institute of New Cinema Artists (INCA), they were responsible for training and obtaining opportunities of employment for over 2000 Black, Latinos, Asians and individuals from low income communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, in the film, television, recording, advertising and allied media industries.

In 1983 he won an Emmy for “To Be A Man” along with one of the alumni’s of CFWC, TWC and INCA, who’s an industry trailblazer––Neema Barnette, a producer/director, the first African American woman to direct a television situation comedy and who has directed numerous television shows and feature films. In 1986, he founded International Communications Association (ICA), a Harlem-based nonprofit organization, to continue the successful work of CFWC, TWC and INCA. In 1992, Cliff, as ICA president, obtained the Dwyer Warehouse. In 1998 ICA, partnered with Cross Construction. The result is the10-story, 51-unit Dwyer Condominiums and The Dwyer Cultural Center, and a 7,000 square feet of community space, located on the lower level, which is owned and managed by ICA. Located in Harlem, the Dwyer Condos and the Dwyer Center, replaced the former 9-story Dwyer Warehouse but the design recalls the original building’s facade.

In 1995, Cliff was appointed executive director of New York Metropolitan Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolence (NYMLK), which utilizes the Kingian principles, philosophy and methodologies to positively impact the problems of social justice. In collaboration with the Morrisania Revitalization Corporation, NYMLK provides social advocacy work and institutes educational, job training and employment programs that sustain community development and further the cause for peace, progress, and nonviolence. NYMLK partnered with SUNY’S Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking (ATTAIN) in establishing a state-of-theart high tech computer laboratory to provide digital parity for communities in the South Bronx that have had limited access to computer technology.

For the past 17 years, NYMLK has organized and lead its Annual Interfaith Celebration for Religious and Racial Harmony. This brings together Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and other faiths. In 2001, NYMLK become a non-government organization associated with the United Nations.

In 2000, he co-founded the Harriet Tubman Charter School in the Bronx, along with NYMLK and the African American Legal Defense and Education Fund. It was the first charter school awarded by the New York State Board of Regents.

Cliff was predeceased by his wife Lee, survived by daughter Aliya (Joey), sons Marcus and Tariq (Jocelyn) and grandchildren Oliver, Isabella and Roxanne. His funeral will be on Feb. 19, at Abyssinian Baptist Church. Contact the church for the schedule.

Cliff Frazier in Lorenzaccio, 1965

Celebrating the life of Atiim Ferguson

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

Memorial services for community activist Brother Atiim, aka Earl Lyn Ferguson Jr., were conducted Friday afternoon, Feb. 4 at Brooklyn’s Lawrence Woodward Funeral Home (1 Troy Ave.), moderated by his nephew and pastor, the Rev. Father Caleb Buchannan.

Drummers set the tone prior to Sister Santina Payton conducting an “African ancestral libation ritual.” She opened by quoting the legendary Last Poets, “Blessed are those who struggle, oppression is worse than the grave, it’s better to die for a noble cause than to live as a slave,” prior to explaining the purpose of libations.

“A soldier doesn’t die, when they leave here, they begin a new task. Every level demands a new you,” she urged before thanking “his biological family for sharing him with us.”

Born at Harlem’s Sister of Cabrini Hospital March 2, 1947, he transitioned January 17, 2022. Rasheem Allah, who traces their history back to the 1980s, acknowledged Atiim’s wife of 54 years, Tiombe, and children before stating: “I learned so much from my elders throughout the years and I knew that eventually I would be doing what they did. It’s just that it’s so sudden.”

Some speakers noted how Atiim, along with Sonny Abubadika Carson and Ali Lamont Jr., utilized their Committee To Honor Black Heroes office at Brooklyn’s Restoration Plaza to help provide fatherly wisdom for them when they were youths.

“For Brooklyn, we lost a major piece,” Brother Kwaku said. “If you look around in this room, we are family, and Atiim touched each one of us. He was a superhero. The work continues. He helped a lot of people throughout the years. Brooklyn’s gonna miss you. The youths knew they had somebody protecting them.”

December 12th Movement’s first lady, Viola Plummer stated, “Atiim knew there were no other issues other than, ‘We have to fight to win!’ I know your hearts are broken, but we still have a war to win.”

Mitch Pendelton, Bed Stuy Boxing Gym, said, “Atiim was instrumental in making the gym a reality. I don’t have no tears right now because it’s a time for joy. He did his work. He could’ve sold out, but he didn’t, he stayed here with us. In order for Atiim to live on, we must continue doing the work.”

Mention was made of Atiim contributed to preserving the African Burial Ground in lower-Manhattan during the 1990s, as well as being instrumental in 1989’s “Day of Outrage” when more than 5,000 people shut down the Brooklyn Bridge in protest of 16-year-old Yusuf Hawkins’ racial murder in Bensonhurst.

The Rev. Townsley recalled Atiim assisting the International Afrikan Arts Festival and School of Common Sense: “We now hope that he’s able to do, from the land of the ancestors, all the work that he must do.”

Brother Tarik Haskins thanked Atiim’s family before saying, “Atiim was about us reclaiming ourselves as African people; he was a brave and intelligent Black man who took on the name Atiim. I’m going to miss him. He was more than family. Power to the people.”

Atiim mentored many area youths into adulthood. Presiding Bishop Lamar Whitehead-Miller noted being one: “He was honorable and did the work he was supposed to do.”

Assemblywoman Latrice Walker indicated how Atiim was able to orchestrate a campaign plan for her, before saying, “I was a daughter from another mother and father. One of the greatest privileges I’ve had is to sit at this man’s feet, and just listen and watch. Some fathers you get by birth, and others adopt you as one of their own.”

She offered a Proclamation to Atiim’s family.

Atiim’s close comrade, Ali Lamont Jr., paid his respects remotely.

Atiim’s son, Sean, concluded by noting, “I was his mini me,” prior to reading the obituary.

Atiim Ferguson (Mal'akiy 17 Allah photo)