Karen Chatman knew little about her great grandfather, William "Bill" Chatman, before she became involved in her own mission to help others. It didn't take long, however, for her to feel the kindred spirit with a man she never knew--once she began to research his story.
Karen was born in Homer, but now works in Los Angeles as an entertainment producer and manager. After the feud between the east coast and west coast rap artists, Karen began working with violence prevention organizations to promote positive change and organized her own movement which she calls a "Change To Come." She was devastated by the message of glorified violence that had led to the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls.
She joined with J. Flexx and "Cool and the Gang" to record a song which she co-wrote, about cleansing the corruption and manipulation of the music industry. Personally, she felt an internal war spiritually--being exposed to the violence in the rap lyrics, after growing up in Homer with no exposure to that kind of violence.
For her efforts, Karen was recognized on the A & E Network and Good Morning America. She was able to bring her message of change in an unprecedented interview with Larry Hoover, leader of the notorious Gangster Disciples, while incarcerated and serving a 25 year prison term.
In researching her own story, Karen returned to Homer and found her great grandfather had also worked to make positive changes during a time when few blacks prospered. William Chatman had become one of the wealthiest black men in Claiborne Parish during the Homer Oil Boom. He and his wife, Elnora, raised eight children in a beautiful two-story home a few miles east of Homer.
In 1922, he built a school with living quarters for the teachers.
The next year he deeded a portion of his land to the Claiborne Parish School Board to house the Chatman School. He then employed the first teacher and principal to the Negro school. In years to follow, he helped others in need, including the Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church.
Karen was amazed at the legacy of generosity of her grandfather, the way he had nurtured and shaped a community and on Sunday, June 20, 1999, she honored his memory at a celebration held in the Ford Museum. Karen plans to continue to work to restore the family home and also hopes to bring recognition to her hometown.
