Growing up with strong Black influences made Orlando author feel ‘invincible’
‘Iwanted to make sure my son knew we were more than slaves. Our ancestors were humans, and they became enslaved in a toxic system,” said Orlando author Lee Chavous about his first book for Black children, “Dreams of My Ancestors.”
Chavous grew up in what he calls Black Eutopia. Prince Georges County was a Black enclave in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.
“We were living amongst each other without racism because we rarely saw white people,” he said. “That environment was very powerful. All I knew were Black adults being responsible for doing business. Every adult cared for everyone. All working together.”
He recalls seeing Black people running the bank, grocery store and small businesses.
“When I got older, there was no telling me we weren’t capable,” Chavous said. “I didn’t have the mental handicap.”
The idyllic neighborhood from his childhood was one in which he could ride his bike for miles in safety.
“We played a lot of ‘throw-up’ football,” he said. “It was the greatest game ever to be played.”
Chavous and his circle of friends would gather on a local field with a football. One person would toss it up, and whoever caught the ball streaked
for the endzone before the others could tackle him. After the ball carrier was tackled or scored a touchdown, the throw-up toss was repeated — and so was the ensuing playful rumble.
At home, his mother, Carrie, was the taskmaster and hugger.
“My mother would organize and provide the nurturing environment,” he said.
His dad, a hard worker and not a big talker, provided the role model of a hardworking man that kept food on the table.
“Every position of authority was a Black man or a Black woman,” said Chavous, of his environment during his formative years. “It made me feel invincible.”
He also was inspired by human rights activist Malcolm X, who he likens to a superhero.
“The power of his voice ... He was fearless and he spoke the truth. He wouldn’t sugar coat it,” Chavous said. “It was pure manliness. No one else even compares with him. He was at the top of the mountain.”
Chavous earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration at the University of Maryland.
He later met his wife, Sandy, and continued to prosper.
The two opened a Caribbean restaurant called Dunn’s River in Washington. It was a success, with lines around the building and celebrity clientele. Although the dinner rush filled the dining room, the rent they negotiated crushed their finances, and they had to close the restaurant.
Next, the two started a nursing company, filling temporary nursing positions.
The couple moved to Orlando in 2006 and in 2008, their next joint venture — their son, Christopher “Tank” Chavous — changed Chavous’ life, his trajectory and his calling.
Chavous never thought about writing a book.
“But once he [Tank] was born and got to a certain age, I recognized there wasn’t a lot of Black history being taught,” said Chavous. “I knew it was important for him to understand how powerful we are as humans to overcome the absolute terror that was inflicted on our race.”
To date, the stocky, serious yet joyful, bald former “throw-up” player has written six African American books for young people. Each has a purpose, which is to point out the many positive things about Africa and the people whose ancestors came from that continent. The books are available for purchase on Amazon or from eotobooks.com.
One of his works, “Together We Stand,” was written in 2017 because Chavous’ son attended a school in which he was part of a small minority and surrounded by white people.
“I wanted my son to know all white people are not bad and some white people were vital to the changing of slavery,” Chavous said.