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"Pathways to Freedom 1997 Finale' in Detroit, MI at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History"

BE IT RESOLVED that Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development honors a long time civil rights warrior who was born into a family of educational and spiritual wealth. At the age of eight, he had heard so much conversation about freedom, justice and equality that he volunteered to be a “go-for” for his distant cousin Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. married to his first cousin, Coretta Scott King. He was from royalty on both sides of the family. The bus boycott had occurred and he was ready for training. E. Randall as he liked to be called proudly ran errands as a young lad for the privilege of being in being in a positive environment of elders who were leading the movement.

As the youngest of nine siblings of Roland L. Osburn and Cornelia Scott Osburn, of Marion, Alabama, E. Randall was accustomed to being told to “go for this” and “go for that.” Sometimes he would have to just talk to the chickens and scatter them by telling them to “go forth.” He preached some of his first sermons to the chickens. They loved him too.

BE IT RESOLVED that as a minister and a leader he was always a servant. He served GOD, first and then the movement with all his heart and soul. As brilliant as he was in his knowledge of the Bible, he was equally brilliant in civil rights, human rights and American history. He was also gifted in American politics and the politics of the movement.

BE IT RESOLVED that as an officer and a gentleman of the civil rights movement Rev. Osburn highly respected and protected his leaders, elders and veterans of the movement. Anytime Dr. Rosa Parks, mother of the modern civil rights movement, and Elaine Eason Steele traveled to Atlanta or parts of Alabama, Reverend Osburn was called. He would be given the travel purpose, time of arrival and departure. He took care of the rest by a call first to Rev. Joseph Lowery, President of SCLC, and then the “A-team,” Brenda Davenport, Ralph Worley and other members if needed. By the time of arrival, pick-up, lodging and meals were arranged. The schedule was incorporated as extended duties of the day. Sometimes we saw him at arrival, sometimes not until the following day but, the “A-team” always followed through.

BE IT RESOLVED that in 1987, when Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development was founded by Dr. Rosa L. Parks and Elaine Eason Steele, Reverend Osburn offered assistance and support in whatever way he could. As he was mentored early in his life by the scholars and skilled laborers of his family and others, he mentored many. Youth of SCLC and outer Atlanta would be led by Brenda Davenport, his mentee to join in Pathways to Freedom, a program of Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute. Young people nationally and from other countries performed educational and historical research by bus, primarily under the theme: “Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?” During the Institute’s most difficult time in 1997, at the loss of Adisa Foluke`, Rev. Osburn was a source of great comfort to us. He ministered to individuals and eulogized our young leader.

BE IT RESOLVED that he practiced the Rosa Parks philosophy of pride, dignity and courage it shall forever be associated with his legacy

AND BE IT RESOLVED that in his honor the “Reverend E. Randall T. Osburn Scholarship Fund” will be established at Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development for youth ages, 8-18, who have a passion for positive learning and are eager to share it with “The Next Generation.”

Elaine Steele, Co-Founder Anita Peek, Executive Director Lila Cabbil, Pres. Emeritus