Page 265 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

265 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

Mrs. McClendon invited her husband to lend Tajiri his talent as an Audio Technician and Music Producer, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Mr. Leroy (as he is affectionately called) also served as the Audio Engineer, Video Producer, and CD Technician for the audio and video

versions of this book.

It has been a blessing to have Mr. Leroy and Mrs. Bonita McClendon on-hand to share their professional expertise and willing service to

Tajiri Arts.

~ Elder Terry and Mrs. Martha McKinney ~

During my tenure as a teacher at Rosenwald Exceptional Student Center, I met a terrific couple: Elder Terry and Mrs. Martha McKinney.
They volunteered their services at the school as often as possible. When I thought of creating a performing arts program, Mrs. Martha

McKinney came to mind because I wanted to include exceptional children. Their children were superb actors in my plays at Rosenwald. I
knew The McKinneys were the perfect duo to assist me in bringing this idea to fruition because they were Dream Builders. I was correct

because when Tajiri received our permanent home, Elder McKinney built a tri-level creative shelf for our artifacts in the Museum Lobby.

Mrs. McKinney carpeted one of our Museum classrooms. Their son, Terry Von McKinney, was the first boy to enroll in Tajiri. After
seeing his sister, Tara “Shebby” McKinney win oratorical contests, he wanted to match her success. Terry won First Place in several

oratorical contests on all levels – local, district, regional, state, and national levels. His awards brought him over $15,000 for college expenses.
Over the years, a combination of six McKinney children and grandchildren were students at Tajiri Arts.