Long time Vineyard resident Fletcher “Flash” Wiley was posthumously awarded the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal by the Hutchins Center for African American Research at Harvard University. The honor was presented by Prof. Henry Louis Gates on Oct. 8 at the Sanders Theatre in Cambridge. These awards have been given annually since 2013 to those who make a significant contribution to African and African American culture and the life of the mind. My dear friend was among a list of accomplished honorees for 2026, which also included Angela Bassett, Didier Drogba, Theaster Gates, James Manyika, Mavis Staples and Lena Waithe.
Had he been present, Flash most certainly would have broke out singing “I’ll Take You There and Let’s Do It Again,” two very popular songs sung by singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples. Flash loved music and he loved to sing, especially spontaneously. I think he would also have shared his life story with Lena Waithe, creator of Showtime drama series The Chi and BET comedy series Boomerang and the Twenties. If ever there was someone whose jokes and legendary reciting of “the dozens” should have been on the screen, it was Flash’s! For the uninitiated “the dozens” is the traditional verbal game of ritualistic insults that Flash would say to anyone at any time especially if provoked. But his inimitable style and smile would melt one’s anger into laughter.
Congrats to Bennie, Pratt, BJ and the rest of the family for accepting this award to honor our extraordinary attorney, business leader, civic leader, entertainer. We also knew him as a soul singer, card playing, basketball playing man who never met a stranger. We miss him everyday.
The Hutchins Institute awards was not the only thing going on at Harvard that included Island residents. This week Islanders Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Herby Duverné, Kathy Taylor and others joined the Harvard men’s and women’s basketball teams for a breakfast gathering for former Vice President Kamala Harris. Angela Bassett managed to attend both events as her daughter is a coed at the college.
Pittsburgh royalty and longtime Vineyard resident Nancy Washington passed away in her sleep recently. Her life was celebrated first in Pittsburgh then on the Vineyard. She was a distinguished educator and passionate advocate for the arts and health equity. She began her 27-year career at the University of Pittsburgh where her teaching career in psychology revealed her many talents, which propelled her to an assistant dean position in School of Medicine and later as assistant to Chancellor J. Dennis O’Connor. She served on many arts and cultural boards including the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, the Carnegie Museum of Art, Featherstone Center for the Arts and the Pittsburgh Symphony.
She was an active member of Union Chapel and frequently attended the Charles Ogletree public forums. She and husband Milton, who passed away in 2016, built a home in Vineyard Haven which has been the place for many gatherings with family and friends over the years.
Earlier this week, daughters Lara and Linda and other family members came to the Vineyard to celebrate her life. Among those attending this event included David Edmonds, Ron and Judy Davenport, Barbara Edelin, Lloyd and Teri Trotter, Ann Smith, Shirley Hall, Sandra Grimes, Ron and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Ann Haley and Cheryl Finley. Farewell to a woman of grace, style and commitment.
Congratulations to Judge Ed Redd (retired) and his wife Dr. Shirley Johnson Redd on being recognized by the Hyde Park Greater Boston Living Histories of Color this past week at the Massachusetts State House. They were among a cohort of distinguished professional and civic leaders including Priscilla Douglas, April English, Edmund Barry Gather, Dr. Thea James and Andrea Herbert Major.
Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting.
Rest in Peace, Randall Edward Taylor.