Sylvia E. Johnson Blount

God knew what he was doing when he blessed us with a loving, giving and nurturing soul in Sylvia, or Syl as she was affectionately called. She was the middle child who learned at an early age the importance of caring for family and friends. In her early life she was surrounded by a family of educators. Sylvia was called to teach as well. She was giving and made sure those around her felt loved, by preparing a Southern meal from scratch to make others feel at home, or by engaging them intellectually, offering guidance while caring for their hearts—Sylvia nurtured many from the inside and out.

Today we celebrate Sylvia’s life, her gifts, and her positive impact on the souls of many. Mom, Ma, Nana, Momma Blount Syl, Auntie, Silvie, Ms. Sylvia, and even BlueberryBanana Blount, were the various endearing names she was called because of their mutual connection, respect and adoration. She was the fifth child and second daughter born to hardworking and loving parents, Charlie Mack Johnson (deceased) and Willie Ann McNair (deceased), siblings, Charlie Mack, Jr. (deceased), Samuel (deceased), Mary Ann (deceased), Clifton (deceased), Kenneth (Mary Catherine), Patricia (deceased), Constance (Cornelius), Harry (deceased) (Cheryl) and Henry Lewis (deceased). She attended Cornerstone Baptist Church as a young child. Her siblings knew how much Sylvia took care of them growing up, as well as how much she loved to share her opinion, debate, counsel, tell jokes, or enlighten them with historical facts about her life—time together was time well spent.

Sylvia always exhibited an unwavering strength, a keen focus and lived a purpose driven life. Her love for children, especially her own, was a blessing and lifetime gift. Stan, her first born and only son, and daughters, Sherri and Ravonda (a.k.a. Nikki), built upon her legacy of love with their own children. Sylvia often said, “Let gratitude be your attitude.”

Sylvia was also committed to her education. She worked full-time when she began as a volunteer at C.S. 21-The Crispus Attucks School, in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn. She excelled as an educational assistant and graduated with high honors when she completed her bachelor’s in Sociology degree from the College of New Rochelle. Additionally, she earned credits towards her master’s degree with a determination to graduate before her children graduated college. She surpassed this tremendous challenge. As PTA President, Sylvia trailblazed in that role for 16 years. The Sylvia Blount Youth Development Center at C.S. 21 was dedicated in her honor years later. With increasing health challenges, Sylvia retired after 28 years as a Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialist at C.S. 21, under the transformational leadership of Dr. Adelaide L. Sandford, Drs. Lester and Renee Young, and the amazing teachers, staff and alumni of C.S. 21. C.S. 21 was where her heart smiled and where Stan, Sherri and Ravonda also attended.

This is a testament to her leadership, dedication to children being educated about the negative effect of drugs on their body, and edcational advocacy were the pillars of her illustrious career.

Sylvia and other parents organized the school’s hiring committee and petitioned for unqualified teachers to be released, coordinated anti-gun violence student rallies, advocated for equal access to new educational facilities earmarked for other districts, challenged NYC Dept. of Education, as well as the judicial court system. Her resume of educational victories was born from her lifting her voice for equity, access, and to support their birthright—the right to a quality education.

Sylvia was one of the foot soldiers for Roots Revisited, a notfor-profit grassroots organization, with Kofi Hooper, which afforded many students opportunities to enhance their educational experience by building a foundation of cultural pride across the African diaspora. Roots Revisited toured Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Harriet Tubman House, Frederick Douglass Gravesite, (continued on next page)