Rochdale Village becomes Olympic Village

Local Olympians seek to inspire RV Summer Academy campers

By Susan Van Brackle and Olayemi Okeniyi

In 1968, Richard M. Nixon won the U.S. presidency, Apollo 7 became the first manned space mission launched by NASA, Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ was a top hit and, native son Robert (Bob) Beamon won a U.S. gold medal for his record-setting long jump at the summer Olympics in Mexico City. Mr. Beamon set the world record for a long jump of 8.9 meters, a jump that beat the existing record by nearly 2 feet. On average the increase is 2 .5 inches. In the years following this feat, the record was considered unbreakable. It was another 23 years until contender Mike Powell broke the record in 1991.

Mr. Beamon explained that good athletes needed good coaches and managers and other support systems to help them succeed.

Photo credit: Larry Love Moore

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Yolanda Brisbane, director of Rochdale’s Summer Academy and Community Center director Julia Shaw, kids at Rochdale’s day camp were honored with a visit from the world champion on Wednesday, July 24. The purpose of the appearance was designed to mentor, inspire the children do their very best and dream big.

(L. to R.) Board Vice President Jean Hall, Board Secretary Joyce Williams, Board Chairman Clifton Stanley Diaz, World Champion Dalilah Muhammad, Board President Jean Castro, Board Vice President Mario Turner and Assistant Secretary Maryam Hubbard with portrait painting from Imani Smith.

Photo credit: Larry Love Moore

The afternoon program opened with a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner performed by camp counselor Jada Vick followed by introductions to the Olympian’s high school sweetheart turned wife Rhonda Beamon, daughter Tameeka Barnes and cousin Beverly Simmons.

There was even time for show and tell as the children got a chance to see the original Olympic torch that Mr. Beamon ran with during London’s 2012 Olympic games. His daughter Tameeka Barnes donned white gloves before removing the historic golden torch from its carrying case. She then displayed the torch to viewers throughout the room. As the session wrapped up, board president Jean Castro, recognized Summer Camp Academy director Yolanda Brisbane and Community Center director Julia Shaw for their efforts in bringing Mr. Beamon to Rochdale Village and for their input in making the camp program a huge success.

Mr. Beamon returned to Rochdale Village on Friday, July 26 to mentor children of the summer academy in a few track and field exercises.

U.S. Olympian Bob Beamon visits children at Rochdale Village Summer Academy

(Photo Credit: Larry Love Moore)

In addition to being a 1968 U.S. Olympic gold medalist, Bob Beamon is Pierce Footwear’s 2019 Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics.

After his presentation, Olympic Track and Field Gold medalist and long jump record holder, Bob Beamon poses with several Rochdale Village Academy Summer camp counselors and participants.

Photo credit: Larry Love Moore

Mr. Bob Beamon engages with a few happy campers and shares reflections about his youth.

Photo credit: Larry Love Moore

(Photo left to right) Communications Coordinator Cynthia Bernadine, Community Center Director Julia Shaw, Track and Field Gold medalist and long jump record holder Bob Beamon, President of the Board of Directors Jean Castro, Randon Humphrey, After School and Summer Camp Academy Director, Yolanda Brisbane.

Photo credit: Larry Love Moore

Daughter Tameeka Barnes handles Bob Beamon’s ceremonial torch that he carried in the London 2012 Olympics with gloves.

Photo credit:

Rochdale's Board of Directors threw a celebratory affair for Olympic gold medalist and record breaking athlete, Dalilah Muhammad. The pop-up celebration was in recognition of Dalilah’s crowning achievement; setting the world record in the 400 metre hurdles during the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championships at Drake Stadium on Sunday, July 28, 2019

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty

RV’s Dalilah Muhammad Becomes #1 female athlete in the world for 400m Hurdles.

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(L. to R.) Track and Field champion Daliliah Muhammad with Council Member Adrienne Adams.

Photo credit: Larry Love Moore

World record breaking athlete Dalilah Muhammad (center) cuts celebratory cake surrounded by her father Askia and mother Nadirah and other family.

Photo credit: Larry Love Moore

(L. to R.) Imani Smith presents an artist’s rendering in acrylic paint on canvas of Olympic Gold Medalist Dalilah Muhammad.

Photo credit: Rochdale Village Bulletin Newspaper

(L. to R.) Portrait artist Imani Smith presents rendition of Dalilah Muhammad to the champion’s mother Nadirah Muhammad, sister Jamillah and nieces.