BLACK EXCELLENCE: Ryan C. Ivory on Commissioner Dean Lovelace

Black excellence is the leadership exemplified by the late Commissioner Dean Lovelace. I was fortunate to have him as an integral part of my village, and he shaped my perspective on social justice and community engagement. Commissioner Lovelace was ahead of his time in being an advocate for social justice issues such as predatory lending long before it was a trending issue. He was unapologetic in his thought and being African American. He was always teaching. He set the pathway for community engagement, treating your fellow citizens as equal, and always putting the question back to you by saying “what are you going to do about it?” I came to realize that he was empowering us to take charge, to be change agents of our community, and to be a critical thinker.

I never remember seeing Commissioner Lovelace not in a suit, even during the times when he assisted our Girl Scout troop in various activities. Yes, even selling Girl Scout cookies. His daughter Laeina Lovelace Musa and I were in the same troop led by my mother, Tonya R. Ivory.