​A Tribute to Julia Middleton A.K.A. "AUNT BEA"

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Julia Middleton "Aunt Bea"
Introduced back in 2003 to the amazing Julia Middleton a.k.a. Aunt Bea, I thought what an amazing lady. I was doing a photography/graphic design project for the Department of Children & Their Families. 

I was indeed privileged to visit and take amazing black and white images of so many kids in different children's organizations that DCYF funded. 

Together we produced a Gold Medal Design Award for DCYF. Aunt Bea was the real deal. After the photo shoot, with kids running everywhere, she closed the door to her cluttered office at the Malcolm X Community Center and quietly, in a little tiny voice asked me if I could come back and do some teaching. Art, maybe basketball, dance, cooking, theatre, it mattered not to Aunt Bea she just wanted the children engaged in life. Her mission became my mission.

Obviously I returned and stayed for some sixteen years. Some seven hundred art classes later, watching, hoping & praying that maybe, just maybe, I could make a difference in these kids lives. I see many of the kids, now teenagers in my twice weekly trips to Malcolm X. Always polite they say, "Hey Mister Brian, I so miss your art class. See you later." To all the teachers, whatever, wherever, thank you!! 
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 Mr. Brian Moore, 2018