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Brett Collins, the current specialist
of the Tatum Center, conveyed his grief over such a sudden
loss and expressed that her death is a reminder of how
"delicate and fleeting" life can be. Collins and the Board
continue to enhance the Center with community programming
and annual anniversary observances of the Center's namesake
- the late iconic jazz pianist Art Tatum (1909-1956), who
was reared in Toledo.
It was the 1980s, the era that many recall as the
development of local black librarianship with names like
Judy Jones, Mott Branch manager, Dorcel Dowdell,
retired Main Library manager and several others that would
begin their careers together and remain cherished friends
over the years. Judy was one of Pauline's closest friends
and shared these reflections:
"Cancer has no victory because Pauline never stopped
fighting to live a full life. I have been reading over our
texts for the last year, and I found this post from Pauline
that defined how she lived her life: ‘She is forever a
champion and my hero. She fought not just for herself, but
as an example to her children and granddaughter to never
give up and to live life to the fullest’,” said Jones, who
admitted that since the news she had to search deep for her
voice to honor her late friend. She added that Pauline’s
educational accomplishments broadened her perspective.
In a recent Blade news obituary, another dear
librarian friend Faith Hairston, manager of Kent
Branch Library, said the Tatum Center started in 1989 and
expanded under Pauline's guidance, gaining a reputation for
its collection of art and literature and documentation of
local African-American history and cultural programs.
“The work she did really established the center as we know
it today,” Hairston told The Blade. “She helped to
build the book collection. She helped to build the art
collection, not only the art in the Art Tatum Center but in
bringing in artists from throughout the community.”
Dowdell, retired Main Library
manager, recalled the impactful role that Pauline Kynard
played in the establishment of the Art Tatum African
American Resource Center:
“One of the reasons why the Art Tatum Resource Center has
such a deep and rich collection is because Pauline and I
traveled to African-American bookstores in Detroit and
Cleveland during the early years of the Center's
development,” recalled Dowdell.
“Pauline was passionate about the Center's collection and
programs. As the manager of Main Library, I wanted to be an
example not only to Pauline, but all of the African-American
staff at the library. I was so proud to see her graduate
from library school and how her career progressed through
the years. She never stopped striving to be the best manager
she could be. In the days and weeks to come, those of us
close to her will remember so many things we shared. She
loved her family and the library. I can still hear her
asking, ‘Darcy (her nickname for me), what do you think
about this?’ Dowdell added.
Pauline was also known for her programmatic thrust in
propelling successful annual Kwanzaa celebrations and
standing-room-only Black History Month events.
In 2003, this article's author - a former Blade
journalist who interviewed Pauline numerous times on black
history, captured a moment of introspection during coverage
of one of many Kwanzaa celebrations hosted by the late
Pauline Kynard. Here, Pauline reflects:
"Throughout the year, I usually concentrate on one or two of
the (Kwanzaa) principles, depending on what I'm doing in my
life. This year, I've been especially concentrating on the
principle Nia, or purpose, and asking myself questions
around having more purpose in my life and career," Pauline
said.
Her life was indeed already full of purpose.
Political analyst and radio personality Schylar Meadows
described Pauline as a steward and cultivator of the black
community whose legacy will forever be the Tatum Center.
Longtime NAACP leader WilliAnn Moore said of
Pauline's passing: "We have lost a great mind and
contributor to the Toledo community."
Perhaps it was Kathleen Greely, of The International
Black Summit, Inc., who explained Pauline's life most
profoundly:
"In every black commUNITY there is someone that holds the
space for commitment to commUNITY and sharing the kind of
research that makes teachers and parents proud of what their
youth submits or recites in class or on stage. Ms. Kynard
has been responsible for a great many good grades and great
proposals.
"She was our modern-day vanguard - the unsung hero in the
Toledo commUNITY that worked in the right place at the right
time. I would not be surprised if there are hundreds of
children (some that have now become adults), that have
expanded their literary works or interest in literary arts
due to the life or time spent at Kent or Mott Branch Library
having worked with Ms. Kynard."
At press time, family members were making funeral and
service arrangements with The House of Day Funeral Services
www.houseofday.com. Surviving are her daughter, Shanika
Kynard; sons, Shaun and Shamar Kynard, who works at the
Sylvania Branch Library; sisters, Tamara McNeal and Denise
“Cookie” Wraggs; brothers, Bobby and Roland McNeal, John and
Jerry Johnson, and Roger Daniels, and one granddaughter whom
she was devoted to named “Nene.”
Rhonda B. Sewell, Library Governmental
Affairs and Media Strategist, compiled this special tribute
for The Truth newspaper on behalf of Pauline Kynard’s
Library family.
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