BMORENEWS.com

Raymond V. Haysbert, Sr.

Profile: Raymond V. Haysbert, Sr.

(BALTIMORE – October 5, 2008) – Not long after HBO’s ‘The Wire’ hit TV screens across the nation, one of my greatest inspirations – David Miller – told me how people he'd meet in different cities would ask him if the depictions of the television series were true. For the uninitiated, ‘The Wire’, in my best estimation, exploits the ugly side of my hometown. It speaks to parentless children left to roam the rather rough streets of Baltimore. It characterizes our illegal drug trade as an incredibly perilous part of life in Baltimore. It shows the challenges faced by everyday people, including police officers who risk their lives on a daily basis – dealing with an inordinate barrage of crime.

However, David Simon hasn’t captured the entire picture. No doubt, his job is to sell his series and make money. Yet, there is so much more. This is but a humble attempt to bring to life what ‘The Wire’ missed.

Anybody can see the bad. As a writer, one primarily writes from one’s own set of experiences. And these are mine.

Up first is a personality that everybody in Maryland’s business community knows. Newcomer Lance Lucas of Digit All Systems looks up to him. The EDGE Center’s Wanda Williams looks up to him. Kweisi Mfume looks up to him. As a matter of fact, few if any can argue how significant this man is.

Now, I am not going to tell you some rehashed story of what somebody told me. That’s not my style. Personally, the premise in this series is to speak about things I know.

For instance, having lived in the era of "more Parks Sausages mom, please" and being the son of a very astute businessman who constantly encouraged me to read, I’ve known about Mr. Haysbert long before I ever met him.

Then, one Friday down at The Avenue Market during what was then the ‘happening’ event of the times – The Avenue Market Friday Night Jazz Series – I saw him. I walked up to him and sold him a copy of my North Avenue Review. This was my second entrepreneurial venture as an adult. It was a black and white edition of what I had hoped would turn into something like Ebony one day.

Anyway, the man bought a copy. In the process of the sale, I managed to introduce myself to this icon of a gentleman. Tall, well-dressed, articulate, and all about money – I always knew that this man knew some things that I needed to know – if I were to be successful in the realm of entrepreneurship. 

Mind you, there was a lot of hesitation on my part. Normally, having had about 5 years as the editor of the Sandtown-Winchester ViewPoint community newspaper under my belt, I was not easily intimidated...by anyone. However, from afar, I had this great amount of respect for this man whom was known and respected by virtually everybody. 

He is greater than life. And that’s why I was so stunned, if not flattered, that he took the time to buy my publication. He could have easily been smug. He could have easily said, ‘Go away, kid. You’re bothering me.’ But he didn’t. Just like Clarence Mitchell, III – another profile I’ll soon share – he knew in the core of his heart that it was his job to share some of himself with little old me. And he did. And in the years to come, I would come to have him on speed dial.

Here’s a couple of things about him that I must share. For starters, Mr. Haysbert insists that anybody in business have a business card. My dad always shared this lesson; Mr. Haysbert’s reiteration of this practice only brought the whole concept of marketing full-circle. Number two, go for the low-hanging fruit. I later heard the same words from Kweisi Mfume, another Haysbertite. Thirdly, any business needs a plan. Four, failing at businesses does not mean you are a failure. He told me that while he had lost more businesses than most will ever own, one must learn from those lessons, apply what was learned, and then go forth and don’t make those same mistakes.

Well up there in age, Mr. Haysbert keeps a busier schedule than I, is supernaturally internet savvy more than most, utilizes modern technology like an MIT grad, constantly reads, has an intelligent opinion on most topics, can admit when he is wrong, has helped mentor hundreds if not thousands, has a bright and bubbly personality, and, most of all, is kind.

I have learned a heap of lessons over the past decade or so from Mr. Haysbert, including respect. This man has earned the admiration of so many. I can only seek to continually learn from his ways, so as to possibly earn even a fraction of what he has been able to acquire. And while I am not one to count people’s money, I can say that he is a billionaire in terms of his love for people – all people.

The former Tuskegee Airman is also a powerful political figure in his own right. I have bounced a question or two off of him over the years, and so have others. Why? Because he has a valid opinion on who should be leading Baltimore, Maryland, and the US. His wide array of experiences qualify him to do so.

I should finally add that just yesterday he bestowed an incredible honor on me in front of some of his dearest friends: He called me “Son.”

In short, David Simon’s ‘The Wire’ is terribly incomplete without mention of this Baltimore legend. Raymond V. Haysbert, Sr. is the epitome of academic excellence, the constant pursuit of perfection, and genius when it comes to political economy. He knows the business world inside and out. Most importantly, he is more than willing to share his knowledge with others. Further, he is always willing to listen, always answers his phone, and he has - along with Ed Hooks, Wanda Draper and Diane Bell - been amongst my longest, most faithful supporters in business.            

Tags: business, education, Politics