Ken's Blog

Musings, reflections, and observations from the Beached White Male

Ken's Blog

Musings, reflections and observations from the Beached White Male​

Scott is a leader in the field of urban experiential education with more than thirty years experience, both as an administrator and educator. Extensive experience developing seminars and workshops for undergraduates and professionals interested in urban cultures and institutions.
Primarily responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with more than thirty undergraduate institutions that utilize Chicago Center for pre-professional internships and academic seminars. Frequent guest lecturer on partnering college campuses.
Presented numerous professional papers and workshops on community based learning and first voice pedagogy. Member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Midwest Sociological Society and Lumity Roundtable for Executive Directors in Chicago.

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The Beached White Male Podcast with Ken Kemp

S4E13 Scott Chesebro, Ph.D. - 9/11, Islamophobia and First Voice Pedagogy

March 07, 2023

Ken Kemp

Ken welcomes the former guest of the podcast, Dr. Scott Chesebro. 

Ken stumbled across an essay written by Scott that triggered a conversation around "First Voice Pedagogy" - a teaching philosophy that guided Scott's nearly four-decade career as the Director of the Chicago Center. The essay tells the story of Dr. Chesebro's appearance in a Florida courtroom to offer a character witness to an Imam accused of terrorist activities in the wake of the 9/11 attack on America. Scott reveals the definition of "First Voice." The Center welcomed undergraduate students nationwide to spend a semester living in the South Side of Chicago. They would earn full academic credit towards their various degrees. A seasoned sociology professor, Scott introduced his students to the rich diversity of ethnic neighborhoods, a wide range of religious expression, the arts, cuisine, musical traditions and styles, and a wealth of cultural identities. This immersion in the bountiful heritage of the South Side brought into sharp focus issues of race, gender, and religion - and no religion.  Soon after 9/11 brought down the Twin Towers in Manhattan, Dr. Chesebro learned that a nearby Mosque on the South Side had been vandalized. Scott took the initiative and within days, had his students sitting on the carpet of the Mosque in dialogue with the local Imam and his Muslim friends. It's a "First Voice" experience for his students. What happens next is a story we all need to hear.  SHOW NOTES

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The Beached White Male Podcast with Ken Kemp

S2E56 Scott Chesebro, PhD - The Windy City's Lasting Imprint

July 23, 2021

Ken Kemp

Ken welcomes back Dr. Scott Chesebro. Just last week, Ken and Scott spent two days walking the streets of Hyde Park and the University of Chicago there on the South Side. Scott and Ken we classmates and fast friends, living in the city for three years and a second summer in the late 60s and early 70s. Scott became a sociologist and college professor with the Ph.D. he earned at Notre Dame. For over four decades, Scott was Executive Director of the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture, welcoming students from all over the country to the city he loves. They talk about their years at Chicago's famed Moody Bible Institute and the indelible imprint of those formative days. They share their faith journeys which led them in surprising but satisfying ways. Their walk through Hyde Park takes them past the homes of Mohammed Ali, Elijah Mohammed, Louis Farrakhan (friend of Malcolm X), Hugh Hefner (of Playboy, Inc.) and Barack and Michelle Obama. SHOW NOTES include links to Ken's first interview with Scott in which he tells the story of his discovery of slave ownership in his family - and his encounter with descendants whose ancestors just may well have been enslaved by Chesebros.

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The Obama Residence in Hyde Park

Scott Chesebro: A Sociologist Learns the Truth

by Ken Kemp – Posted: April 28, 2020

The Beached White Male Podcast with Ken Kemp

Dr. Scott Chesebro - A sociologist uncovers his family history

April 17, 2020

Scott Chesebro

Ken interviews his long time friend, a classmate from Bible School in Chicago - the late 1960s. Scott tells the story of a shocking discovery - a Ph.D. sociologist learns that his ancestors were slave-owners. His journey takes him to South Carolina, where, in a small country town, he meets Roscoe Cheeseboro, the grandson of an enslaved woman, age 90. They become fast friends. More show notes at https://thebeachedwhitemale.com/scott_chesebro/

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The Beached White Male Podcast with Ken Kemp

Scott Chesebro - BONUS Episode

April 17, 2020

Scott Chesebro

Ken and Scott reminisce over their years studying in Chicago in the late 60s. Ken shares more about his classmate, Melvin Warren. More show notes: https://thebeachedwhitemale.com/scott_chesebro/

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Podcast Show Notes

Scott Chesebro, Ph.D.

Ken interviews his long time friend, a classmate from Bible School in Chicago - the late 1960s. Scott tells the story of a shocking discovery - this Ph.D. sociologist learns that his ancestors were slave-owners. His journey takes him to South Carolina, where, in a small country town, he meets Roscoe Cheeseboro, the grandson of an enslaved woman, age 90. They become fast friends

In the podcast, Ken shares reflections on another classmate: Melvin Warren. Memories of those years in Chicago launched the Beached White Male on a quest of his own: to find Melvin Warren.

CORRECTION: Ken mentions that Norene Chesebro is a Registered Nurse. That is incorrect. She is a Licensed Social Worker and has been the director of Department Director at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Bonus Podcast

Ken and Scott reminisce over their years studying in Chicago in the late 60s. Ken shares more about his classmate, Melvin Warren.

Scott Chesebro, Executive Director 
Hyde Park, IL 1986-2014 
  • Leader in the field of urban experiential education with more than thirty years experience, both as an administrator and educator. Extensive experience developing seminars and workshops for undergraduates and professionals interested in urban cultures and institutions.
  • Primarily responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with more than thirty undergraduate institutions that utilize Chicago Center for pre-professional internships and academic seminars. Frequent guest lecturer on partnering college campuses.
  • Presented numerous professional papers and workshops on community based learning and first voice pedagogy. Member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Midwest Sociological Society and Lumity Roundtable for Executive Directors in Chicago.

 

After 28 years, Scott became Academic Director, a responsibility he maintains today.

Meet Roscoe Cheeseboro

click for a larger image

Scott’s discovery of the Cheeseboro family prompted a fascinating quest into his own family history and that of 90-year-old Roscoe.

It opened the door to 16 years of friendship with this patriarch of a large extended family from South Carolina. Their ancestral family stories merged in a haunting way – but over the years became a powerful, mutual friendship.

They remained close friends all the way up until Roscoe’s passing in 2018 at the age of 105 years. Scott attended the Memorial Service at Providence AME Church in St. Matthews.

Scott adds one more detail:

“I failed to relate a very moving story from Roscoe’s memorial. At the memorial the minister asked for those who were a part of Roscoe’s family to stand. I remained seated although I was conflicted. His daughter, Florence, an usher got my attention and motioned me to stand. It was an overwhelming moment for me.” 

Providence AME Church, St. Matthews, SC

Meet Melvin Warren

Moody Bible Institute, Class of 1969

click for a larger image

In both Podcasts, including the BONUS, Ken shares a very personal story about his friendship with Melvin Warren – one of the only African American students in his class. Mel grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Ken reads portions from his unpublished memoir, The Beached White Male.

Mel made a public protest about his years at MBI – it made the national news. Ken shares his quest to find Melvin and to compare stories, journeys since those formative years in the heart of the Windy City.

The news of Melvin’s decision  to tear up his diploma appeared in several national magazines, including JET, March 19, 1970 – still available online.

NOTE: Ken is still searching to find friends or family members who have information about Melvin. He’s tried to locate the sisters, too. Fine musicians. But we have yet to connect. If you can help, CONTACT KEN