The Jali Ep 153: Living Through History

The Jali, host Melyssa Barrett

Born and raised in North Carolina during the Jim Crow era, Lester Patrick takes us through America’s history of segregation and restrictions imposed by the government for Black Americans.

Mr. Patrick is a retired federal employee with a combination of over 40 years of experience as a Senior
Telecommunications Specialist, Information Technology Management Specialist, and Technical Security Officer
working for three federal agencies; designing, planning, developing, testing, and implementing national
communications systems. His educational achievements include an undergraduate degree from North Carolina
A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina, and advanced degrees from Golden Gate University and
Pepperdine University. He also holds professional certifications from CISCO Systems, and George Washington
University, Washington, D.C.
He has been actively involved in working in the community developing and implementing programs designed to
improve the success of African American students, and also serving in capacities that support all students for over
20 years. Some of those activities have included the development of the Academic Review Committee in Lodi
Unified School District. It recommended and implemented several major projects aimed at improving academic
performance. Some of the projects included academic progress reporting, reduction in suspension and expulsion
rates, improving parent /district relationships, and a mobile Urban Technology Vehicle. He served over 10 years as
chairman and member of the Measures K and L School Bond Oversight Committees. Since 2006 he has directed a
peer mentoring program for boys in junior high and high school, and serves as the co-chairman of the
Superintendent’s Academic Advisory Committee.
He also has served on other committees whose goals support children and families of San Joaquin County and
California. He currently serves as a Board Director of Family Resources Center; a past member of the Delta College
Measure L Bond Oversight Committee; a current Commissioner of The Housing Authority of San Joaquin County;
and, member of the San Joaquin Hunger Task Force; and a current board member of the Pacific Southwest Regional
Conference (PSWRC), of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
Mr. Patrick is the recipient of the following community awards; Dr. Steve Jacobson Enough is Enough Award
(University of the Pacific); Man of the Town Award (Black Chamber of Commerce); The Super Star Award (Lodi
Unified School District); Medgar Evers Freedom Fighter Award for Educational Advocacy (Stockton NAACP); the
Etta Mae Ford Golden Heart Award; (Dome of Hope Organization); and, certificates of Special Congressional
Recognition from current and former congressional members.
He is the author of two published books titled, Weak Start Unapologetic Present: An unlikely journey through Jim
Crow the Information Age to God; and Inspirational Momemts; Open and Meaningful Conversations with God. In
this book he shares multiple life experiences, with emphasis on Jim Crow practices and its impact, his life-long
involvement in community work and advocacy, and his spiritual growth to God.
Mr. Patrick has been married to Linda Patrick for 50 years. He has two adult children, Kenitra and Nigel Patrick, and
two granddaughters, Kayla and Leilani.