Community Corner
Executive Leadership Speaker Series
Field of Dreams Academy Executive Leadership Speaker Series
The speaker series features professionals from diverse industries, such academia, business, politics and athletics—professional and collegiate. Our guest speakers will share their story and the commitment, dedication and hard work they put in order to gain their success.
“Success is achieved when no one is watching”
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Guest Speaker: Mr. Norman Lumpkin, Sr.
Former Professional Player, Negro League
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Blazing Fast. Faster than a locomotor train..He hit a single, but made it a triple! That is how many described Norman Lumpkin. A left-handed hitter, Lumpkin chopped down on the ball and used his great speed to consistently bat over .300.
" Flyhawk” Lumpkin played all three-outfield positions, but, with his speed, preferred center. Lumpkin grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and honed his skills playing semipro ball in the 1930s in the industrial leagues. Lumpkin worked and played for many industries in Atlanta including Goodyear Tires and Napa Auto Parts. The industrial leagues in Atlanta were some of the top in the country, and, on the road, played in some of the toughest towns for people of color, including industrial towns in North and South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Virginia and Georgia
After excelling in the semipro leagues and being picked for numerous Industrial All-Star teams, Lumpkin was signed by the Atlanta Black Crackers after World War II.
Lumpkin played for Black Crackers owner John and Billie Harden (husband and wife) and manager Goose Curry. The Black Crackers played in beautiful Ponce De Leon Park, known for a huge magnolia tree in right field. The Black Crackers played in the very same park as the white Southern League's Atlanta Crackers. The Black Crackers were one of the most popular teams in the South, and only the best of the best could make the powerful Atlanta teams of the 1940s, the heyday of Black baseball, and Norman Lumpkin “Flyhawk” as one of the best players in the league!
Date: Saturday, March 5, 2011
Time: 8:00am to 10:00am
Location: Applebee’s Restaurant
3690 Cascade Road, Atlanta, GA 30331
For more information, contact Keith Jordan, Director of Academic Program, at 404.229.2105 or email: kcplan.ytc@gmail.com or keith.jordan@fieldofdreamsacademy.org