SENIOR STAR Wardell Montgomery, Jr.

This week's Senior Star is Mr. Wardell Montgomery, Jr. The Detroit resident was born in 1940 to Rose and Wardell Montgomery, Sr. Throughout his life he has made his home in Los Angeles, New York City, and Denver, returning home to Michigan in 1995. Montgomery is retired from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he worked in customer service.

Montgomery grew up on Milwaukee Street near Russell and was the oldest of three boys. He recalls the neighborhood was integrated and very diverse. "It was more or less a working class neighborhood and we were surrounded by industry," he recalls. "It was kind of a nice place to grow up and have interactions with a variety of people."

Montgomery is a poet, songwriter and performer. Writing talent runs in the family, as he says his mother was a poet, and his son, Roderick is now a writer. Montgomery developed his writing abilities in college and workshops. He has been writing song lyrics and poetry since his teen years. Montgomery had a writer's contract with Motown Records and in the 1960s and 70s, five of Montgomery's songs were recorded by various artists, but were not commercially successful. Nevertheless, he looks back at that time with fondness and says he enjoyed being a part of the music industry and collaborating with composers and musicians like Stevie Wonder. He says that as a young man he knew success in the music business was not guaranteed, but he was doing what he enjoyed.

Montgomery nurtured his creativity by interacting with artists and writers in the cultural communities of the various cities in which he lived. He published some of his poetry himself, and some collections have been published by Broadside Press in Detroit and Wayne State University. He currently does poetry readings at museums and churches. "I've been able to consistently be involved in poetry pretty much since the 60s; I'm reading somewhere just about every month," he says. "I really enjoy being an artist and having the opportunity to write and share my writings with people."

Montgomery also enjoys attending cultural events such as museums and music festivals, and also enjoys watching films. He enjoys the work of director Spike Lee and actors Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" is one of his favorite films. He says he finds pleasure in a variety of music, including Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand, and the Temptations.

Montgomery is a member of Plymouth United Church of Christ. He says he lives by the Golden Rule. "It makes a lot of sense to me and I wish more people lived by it," he says. "Do things to help other people and kind of make the world a better place to live."

He encourages young people to consider the Golden Rule, to stay positive, get involved, and try to make things better. He says recently departed Congressman John Lewis set an example to not give up and continue to seek your goals.

"I'd like to continue to do those kinds of things inspired by art and culture," says Montgomery. "It's good that I'm healthy enough and able to continue to do what I love to do."

Montgomery's poetry can be seen on http://www.youtube.com Enter Wardell Montgomery, Jr. in the search box.

To have your family member interviewed for the Senior Star contact the Telegram at 313-928-2955 or [email protected]. Must be at leaat 80 years old.