By Garry Blanson
As I was growing up in Monroe, Louisiana, I can remember my mother, Mrs. Jessie Mae Phenix Blanson, attending and graduating from a local vocational school that used to be located at 700 Rogers Street in Monroe, Louisiana. The name of the school was Delta Ouachita Area Vocational School, and it was actually located only a couple of feet to the right-hand side of the back of Carroll High School.
Interestingly, Bernie Dayton Robinson, along with other leading Black educators, Morris “Henry” Carroll, Lorraine Slacks, Mackie Freeze, and Andrew Julius Mansfield, were instrumental in seeing to it that the school was constructed at the Rogers Street location.
At this point of my story, I would like to remind everyone that this was the first, last, and only time that the City of Monroe and the State of Louisiana both joined together on a stand-alone vocational training school project that was actually constructed within a Black community in Monroe.
Many of you would probably like to know why I’m bringing up a school that is no longer a part of our Black community. The main reason I’m mentioning this particular school is because so much of our local Black history in Monroe is being erased and forgotten with the changing of the times.
For instance, if you were to take a group of Carroll High School students on a tour of the former location site of the school, which was near Carroll High and Carroll Junior High School, you would be very lucky if you were able to find any sign that the school had ever even been there at all.
Another reason for me sharing this information is that I want our local young Black youth to learn that less than 60 years ago, Black students in their own community were able to obtain comprehensive training in various fields that allowed them to rise above their circumstances and go on to live productive lives.
Finally, I feel that it would be very beneficial for the teachers and students at Carroll High and Carroll Junior High School to know that once upon a time in Monroe, our Black ancestors saw to it that a vocational training facility was established directly in the midst of our own Black community.
Please note: there is plenty of forgotten local Black history right here in Monroe, just waiting for Black students and adults to learn about.
Now, on to this week’s Black pioneer, Herman L. Finley.
Reportedly, Herman was born in Monroe, Louisiana, in 1948, only a few years after World War II. Additionally, there was mention of Herman living in both Monroe and Union Parish before graduating high school.
Growing up, he always had an ear for music, which helped him decide what to major in college. Soon after graduating high school, Herman attended several Louisiana universities, including Grambling State University, Southern University at Shreveport, and Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, where he studied music.
Herman was also a regular pianist for a good while at St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe.
Later on, he moved to Caddo Parish, where he accepted the position of minister of music at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, under the leadership of the legendary civil rights leader and pastor Dr. Harry Blakes.
Because of his experience, background, and passion for music, Herman was also offered an executive position with Jewel Records as vice president of promotions and production. At the time, Jewel Records was the premier record company for Southern gospel music.
A few other interesting accomplishments included founding the Louisiana State Mass Choir, helping the Bright Star Black Male Chorus gain national notoriety, and serving as one of the senior musicians for the Louisiana Baptist Youth Encampment.
Regretfully, on May 28, 2005, God called Herman L. Finley Sr. home to perform in His heavenly choir.
