The “Designated University Kid” on the Alabama Community that Raised him
Eric Motley grew up in a place where it would seem no one and everyone expected him to succeed. Madison Park, Alabama, is a small, African-American community on the outskirts of Montgomery founded by freed slaves. Motley was raised by his adoptive grandparents, and his memoir published last year is something of an ode to the town. He later went on to become a special assistant to President George W. Bush, and now he’s at the Aspen Institute, a Washington, DC-based think tank. Motley speaks Thursday evening at Samford University, his alma mater, and he spoke with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about his book “Madison Park: A Place of Hope.”
Additional note: Samford University is a sponsor of WBHM programming. WBHM’s news and business departments operate separately.
Interview Highlights
On what is was like to be raised in Madison Park:
“Madison Park was a place where everyone knew their neighbor. It was a place where you were all tied in this single garment of destiny. What impacted you and your family impacted everyone else. For me it was an extension of family. It was an affirmation of self. It was an affirmation of who we were as a community, who we were as black people in America. It was an affirmation that life mattered and every life mattered.”
On being the “designated university kid” and surrounded by people pushing him to succeed:
“My grandparents who became my guardians after having adopted my mother felt that they had a special responsibility to be stewards of my promise and my future. And so they sought out people that they felt could encourage me and show me the way and help me to have opportunities that they were not afforded … I knew that the attention that I was getting was rather extraordinary. And I knew that their own desire for me to get a college education was rather exceptional as well. And so when you’re surrounded by people who are constantly affirming you, who are encouraging you to realize your potential, you develop this sense of purpose. And you develop this sense of responsibility and a sense of gratitude.”
On the pressure from the community to succeed:
“We frequently talk about peer pressure. If anything, this was positive pressure. I don’t think I recognized it was pressure. I recognized it as affirmation and trust. So if anything, I think it was inspiration; not pressure, but inspiration.”
Federal judge declines to order Trump officials to recover deleted Signal messages
The watchdog group American Oversight had asked a federal judge to order top national security officials to preserve any messages they may have sent on the private messaging app Signal.
Welcome to summer: U.S. braces for first significant heat wave of the new season
For many Americans, high humidity will make it feel in the triple digits. The National Weather Service is urging people to prepare to protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat.
Trump says he’s close to ‘a Deal’ with Harvard, as judge grants injunction
Trump's Truth Social comments came as a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction that would continue blocking the president's efforts to bar international students from attending Harvard.
Trump is no stranger to setting 2-week deadlines. Here’s how others have played out
Since his first term, Trump has promised action on everything from tax legislation to health care within a fortnight — only for his announcements to materialize months later or not at all.
A man is charged with attempting to kidnap Memphis Mayor Paul Young
Police say Trenton Abston, 25, came to Mayor Paul Young's home armed with a Taser. Officers allegedly found rope and duct tape in his car.
Voice of America gutted by Trump adviser Kari Lake
The Trump administration is slashing jobs at Voice of America's parent agency by 85%. Journalists who have risked their freedom to report for the broadcaster wonder what happens next.