Mr. Jesse J. (Lukman) Hamptom

After 72 years of life, Lukman transitioned to an ancestor on April 18, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. He began his journey, February 5, 1940 on a slave plantation in Sidon, Mississippi. He was the first son, born to the late Jesse Lee “The bull rider” and Fletie May “The Black Madonna” Hampton. Jesse Jr. was the proud son of the “Bull Rider”. His mother was his breath of fresh air. Jesse was a sharecropper by 8 years of age. In 1948, the family left Sidon, MS in the middle of the night, on their freedom journey to Kalamazoo, MI. He was baptized at Second Baptist Church on Walbridge Street as a youth; and he sang in the choir. Employment was something that was a pursuit from the early age of nine. He shined shoes and sold news papers on a street corner in downtown Kalamazoo, to help with the two household expenses from the time that the family moved here in 1948. His mother later arranged for him to be employed, as a cook, at the Harris Motor Inn. Many other jobs followed before he decided that he preferred working for himself and left the traditional workplace. Jesse attended Kalamazoo Public Schools as well as Western Michigan University to begin a life long love of knowledge and truth. In 1964, Brother Jesse was called a new age activist in that he did not allow himself to be restricted to a single community or to a single issue. He was the first black business man in Kalamazoo to create a business that reflected a black cultural interest. As a result, he first expressed this brand of activism by setting up the Ujamaa Circle, a black arts bookstore and black art repository. There he shared his vast knowledge of self and the experience of “being” in this harsh diaspora of the United States. Brother Jesse was not simply a businessman but was also involved and worked for the North Side Development Association. In this capacity he not only introduced the community to Black art and philosophy but was also engaged in nurturing young black radicals concerning their community interests. Brother Jesse at this time was also involved in the black student movement at WMU and other colleges and universities in southwestern Michigan. It was with this involvement with the NDA and the Black Action Movement (student organization at WMU) that led to him meeting and working with black activists in Grand Rapids, Detroit and Chicago. Brother Jesse was one of the initial organizers and founders of the Black Peoples Topographical Research Center in Kalamazoo. This came about as a result of Brother Jesse’s collaboration with brothers in Chicago. After establishing the TOP in Kalamazoo, he felt compelled to make sure that these ideas and concepts were exported to as many communities as possible. This led to traveling to the following cites to establish a TOP-East; Saint Louis, IL., Detroit, MI, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA, Newark, NJ, New Haven, CT, and Boston, MA. While many people in Kalamazoo knew Lukman as Jesse Hampton which represents his early life in Kalamazoo. Most people on the East Coast, knew this brother as Lukman, an African name given to him by brothers in Boston MA., that means; “Wise One”. It was a result of these ventures that Lukman worked closely with many of the leading Black activists of the time which included but was not limited to Imamu Amiri Baraka, Geitu Weusui, Maulana Karenga and many others. Lukman also traveled extensively throughout the South and Southwestern United States engaging and assisting local community leaders with a number of black issues. This led to important collaborations with the world renowned African Street Festival in Brooklyn, New York. The majority of this brother’s life was spent not in Kalamazoo but as a world traveler, spent assisting Black People spent struggling to inject the desire for freedom and independence. Lukman was a brother that dedicated his life to helping to fashion and create an independent destiny for African people in America. He was preceded in death by sisters Lizzy Mae (Akilah) Hampton, Rosie Mae Price, and brothers Willie and Willie Earl Hampton. He is survived by six brothers and sisters; Lulu Alma Jones, John (Bobette) Hampton, Charles Tin (Margaret) Hampton, Kathy Cole, Mary Anne (Maurrice) Hampton-Tidwell, Harold Anthony Hampton and a host of nieces and nephews. Chief Lukman is also honored by his Queen Sala (Paulette) “Loddi”, lifetime friend Gretchen and children: Stephanie, Laurie, Sadio, Okonlawon, Halima (Shawn), Kiombu , Kafi and Jade Kojo. There is also a legacy of grandchildren to carry on a tradition of love and respect; Nicolas James, Jaquil Hanif Lukman, Fadia Dara, Akili Halima, Sekai Nalo Ayan, Akins Eze, Ain Yejide, Kitambi Njeri, Belle Kimora, Sabiha, Kiombu Ajani Jr., and great-grandchildren: Kai Jamir and Miyah Best. Bro. Lukman was also a life coach, mentor, daddy, brother, uncle, poppi, and protector to many more children throughout his lifetime.

Mr. Jesse J. (Lukman) Hamptom

February 5, 1940 - April 18, 2012