One of the Central Westbury Civic Association's (CWCA) men of the century is the first African American superintendent of the Westbury School System, Robert D. Pinckney, Ph.D. Dr. Pinckney will always be a children's man, his philosophy conceptualizes "education of children today and represents the future of tomorrow."

When Dr. Pinckney came to Westbury in the mid 1990s, he came to a school system in transition. Westbury's school system was diversifying at an increasing rate. Multi-races became the trend and Dr. Pinckney was facsinated with the prospect of assuring all these children of different hues a full and equal education. He enjoyed reading to them and devising different methods to make reading alive and fun. Children began to want to read more and enjoyed the competition of seeing how many books they could read among their peers.

Dr. Pinckney enjoyed the game of chess and shared this enthusiam with the students. He worked with the organization Learning Is for Everyone (LIFE) and the CWCA in an effort to get a school-based computer program developed by Tom Begley, an African American entrepreneur who enjoyed an international reputation of setting up some of the most invigorating computer programs for schools. These programs included school administration, teachers, staff, parents and children. The instant communication was very advantageous for all concerned and assisted the students in getting better grades, understanding concepts and expanded their sphere of networking.

One of Dr. Pinckney's biggest contributions was bridging the gap with Dr. Faroque Khan and the CWCA when the Nassau County Medical Center Westbury High School Apprenticeship Program was born in 1996.

The Westbury High School Apprenticeship Program is alive and well and we plan to share with our membership and friends in our next article just how well this program is doing.

The Khan/Pickney Tribute, scheduled for Saturday, June 15 from noon at 3:30 p.m. at the International Buffet Bar and Grill, 1100 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, is a great time for you to find out more about these two giants of this millennium. Communities thrive when people take the school system seriously and take action to assure its survival and success.

For tickets to the tribute contact Mannie Sweat, president, at 333-1290; Lois Cobb, vice president at 333-2009; or Vickie Laura at 333-2849. The cost is $40 per person and proceeds will benefit the CWCA John Burnett Scholarship Fund.