Historians still talk about the mud-caked boots that tracked dirt all over the White House when thousands of regular folks came to Andrew Jackson’s inauguration.
But there’s not likely to be any of that at the three-day People’s Inaugural planned by Earl W. Stafford of Fairfax County, VA.
For one thing, the 60-year-old founder of Universal Systems and Technology is providing gowns, tuxes, and beauticians – not to mention, 300 rooms at the J.W. Marriott - to the people he’ll bring to town for Barack Obama’s inauguration.
As a successful African-American businessman, Stafford says he feels proud to be part of this moment in American history. And he wants to give “a front-row seat” to others who haven’t had his breaks – especially to veterans, the poor and the sick.
“We wanted to . . . bless those who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to be a part of the great celebration, the inauguration and the festivities,” he told the Washington Post.
“Our objective is to bring in a cross-section of society - those who are distressed, those who are terminally ill, those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, those veterans who are wounded and served our country.”
An Air Force veteran who makes his living selling training equipment to the military, Stafford had been scouting sites for what he calls “a people’s celebration” even before he heard about JW Marriott’s $1-million “build-your-own-ball” offer.
The pricetag was steep, he told the Post, “but we felt that that’s what the Lord would have us to do.”
Besides 300 rooms, the offer includes four suites, $200,000 worth of food and drink and a heated tent on the hotel roof to watch the parade down on Pennsylvania Avenue.
“The People’s Inaugural,” as Stafford calls it, will run Jan. 18, 19 and 20, with lodging all three nights. It will be funded through the family’s nonprofit Stafford Foundation, created in 2002; this will be its first major enterprise.
In addition to providing the hotel, Stafford is shelling out another $600,000 for a prayer breakfast on the 19th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day – as well as a luncheon. The next day, Inauguration Day, a youth ball is planned at the hotel, as well as a “People’s Inaugural Ball.”
Stafford said he wants at least 30 percent of those staying at the hotel and participating in the events to be disadvantaged in some way.
“We intend to reach out to some of the hospitals, some of the homeless shelters, some of the other social agencies who then will host these individuals, be responsible for these individuals coming in,” he said.
The remaining guests are expected to come from co-sponsor groups including the National Urban League and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and contributing companies or volunteers, he said.
One of 12 children born to a Baptist minister in Mount Holly, N.J., Stafford said he wants to remind people of the traditions that he believes made America great.
“We just need to get back to caring about one another,” he said.
Click here to sign up for the Muckety Newsletter
15 Comments
#1. Rose Colored Glasses 12.07.2008
Maybe you should think about giving these people jobs or paying their medical expenses or buying houses or helping them start a business, SOMETHING. A 3 day free for all isn’t going to help their situation. Do something responsible with the money. Nice jesture, but stupid waste of money.
#2. Rose Colored Glasses 12.07.2008
Oh, better idea, buy them each a car and help out the big 3 so THOSE OF US THAT PAY TAXES DON’T HAVE TO SHOULDER THE WHOLE EFFING BURDEN.
#3. Tanya R Grant 12.07.2008
God has blessed you Mr Stafford, I understand whar you’re doing and it makes my heart sing and full of joy, don’t listen to naysayers for they are truely unhappy and walk through this life asleep to what is good and righteous in the lords’ plans for each of us. I’m trying to take my son’s to the inuaguration. You see since the day they were born I have always told them that they can be and acheive anything in this life except, becoming president of these “UNITED” STATES. I am so overjoyed and full, that I have been proven wrong. We are trying to go, I think its so vital that they’re there. The hope and inspiration in them has grown by leaps. Thank You for all those blessed by your endeavor, its spritiually uplifting and I’m blessed to be a living part of this, but most of all my son’s are awake, wide awake and really seeking that dream. I work three jobs now, I’ve previously lost everything so I know the value of this and whats to come. Keep fighting the good fight through your foudation and may the lord keep you and yours covered.
#4. Pat Rodney 12.09.2008
Hello and thanks for an opportunity to be considered for attendance at an unprecedented historical occasion.
My late husband, Dr. Lester J. Rodney, was a History Professor at Morehouse College(13yrs.) and was beginning his 3rd year at Clark Atlanta University when tragedy occurred. He was involved in a fatal automobile accident - heart attack while driving. Dr. Rodney was a native New Orleanian and received his undergraduate degree at Southern University in New Orleans, LA, he received his Master’s degree at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA and went on to pursue his Doctoral degree at Atlanta University. His class was the last class to graduate as Historical Atlanta University before merging and becoming now known as Clark Atlanta University. Dr. Rodney’s specialty was African American History and every opportunity that presented itself for him to teach that subject he took advantage of it with much pride. His preference was teaching at Historical Black Colleges and Universities although he received many offers from others. Some of his mentors and
colleagues over the years that come to mind are Dr. Riley, Dr. John Hope Franklin,
Dr. Francis Mary Berry, Dr. Alton Hornsby, Dr. Charles Barksdale, Senator Vincent Fort, Dr. Linda Lane, Dr. Vickie Crawford, Dr. Alexa Henderson, Betty Spicer and all had an impact on his professional career. Dr. Rodney spent his summers at New York University and mentored many Morehouse students and sponsored local elementary schools as well. Mentoring was his passion particularly at historically Black Colleges and Universities for which he has received awards. His dissertation was on Dr. Henry Proctor and deserves the attention of being edited for publication.
Dr. Rodney and I, Pat Rodney, were married for 27 years when his fatal accident occurred and we had two children, daughter, Ryan Rodney (Clark Atlanta University graduate) and son, Steven Rodney (attended Clark Atlanta University until tuition waiver would no longer be accepted because Dr. Rodney was no longer there).
We would love to represent the late Dr. Lester J. Rodney at President Obama’s inauguration as I am more than sure that if he were here he would certainly be there and oh so proud.
I can be reached at 678-777-6284 and thanks for your consideration.
#5. joe carson 12.10.2008
Sir
My daughter who is bi-racial is 15 years old. She is in the International Baccalaureate (IB)Program in High School. She is very active in the community and is involed in poltics because she realizes she will be able to vote in the next election. Sir my wife is currently not working because she takes care of her 83 year old dad who has cancer and COPD. I am the only worker and I work in a Hospital as a Mental Health Tech making $12.43 per hour. This is a chance for my daughter to experience history in the making and smothing she could carry back to fellow students in the International Baccalaureate (IB)Prgram. I hope that you would give her a closse look. I thank you in advance for your time.
#6. Ventia Abdur- Rahman 12.10.2008
My husband is a viet nam veteran and we both are very much interested in attending. How do we go about it.
#7. Ventia Abdur- Rahman 12.10.2008
Please inform me of the procedure required to register for the Poor Peoples Inauguration function. I am very interested in being considered for the lottery process that rumor has it will be required to be considered for this function. Also, please send me all information pertaining to this event c/o abu1rahman@aol.com. Thank you.
#8. Sharon Williford 12.11.2008
I am the Office Manager at the Memphis Urban League and I have received several calls from people in our community that have inquired as to how they can be considered for the chance to attend the Presidential Inauguration sponsored by Mr. Stafford and become a part of this Historial event.
#9. Andrea Bowdry 12.11.2008
Mr. Stafford, I applaud your efforts to include the less fortunate in this historic inaugural celebration. Much attention is given to average people during an election, but most are forgotten once the votes are counted. I am glad that you want EVERYONE to be included. On a much smaller scale, I am working to make sure that people in my community can celebrate and participate in an inaugural ball. I am a part of a grassroots organization, The Obama Inaugural Planning Comittee, in Delray Beach, FL. We are planning a “low cost” inaugural ball on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the Pompey Park Recreation Center. The cost is $25.00 per person and will include a dinner buffet and music. We will transform the gym into a “ballroom”. Because the ticket price will not cover all of our expenses, we are asking our fellow citizens to help us financially. Because the Obama Inaugural Planning Committee is an unregistered, grassroots organization, we do not have our own bank account to receive donations. However, the Naciremas Club, a registered Delray Beach civic organization, has graciously agreed to become our fiscal sponsor. This will allow us to use their checking account to facilitate inaugural ball financial transactions. If you are so moved by our efforts to make the inauguration affordable by the masses, please consider supporting our GRAND AFFAIR. All check donations should be made payable to: NACIREMAS CLUB. In the check’s memo section please write “Obama Inaugural Ball”. Please mail all donations to: Obama Inaugural Ball
c/o Mrs. Greta Britt
867 Sunflower Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33445
(561)495-1614
For further information, please contact Andrea Bowdry, (561)637-9672.
#10. Jackie Robinson 12.30.2008
I would like very much to attend the historic inaugural festivities in some capacity. Ideally, I would like to see my 106 year old uncle witness this historic moment in history, however, I am aware how nearly impossible that would be. Nonetheless, I will continue to have faith that I will one day be granted a blessing to meet the one person that has truly been annointed to run this country in person. If there is any information available for indidvuals like myself who would be forever grateful for an opportunity to attend this event please contact me.
#11. Sheila 12.30.2008
What a blessing Mr. Stafford is giving to countless people! Granted, 300 is a small number compared to all those who suffer from disability, homelessness or financial hardship…or have served our country. I have learned personally from going (and healing) through disability and currently through joblessness and homelessness–how such challenges present people with added challenges (and hurts) of not being accepted in society at large. My heart feels joyful that Mr. Stafford has seen fit to honor such people–by treating them as equals. His generosity gives me hope that more people might follow in is footsteps by accepting and loving all others unconditionally/equally. God bless you, Mr. Stafford!
#12. Pierre Hall 01.16.2009
Can I come to the ‘Peoples Inauguration’
#13. Lavern 01.16.2009
I have two daughters, who thought that they would have a chance to sing at the Inaugural Ball, at the last minute,we recieved word that they were confirmed for the “Texas Delegates Gathering Entertaining” in Washington, but we couldn’t afford to come financially. we’re hoping that they could sing at the ball that Mr. Stanford is having, if you would like to hear them, I could let you.We can be reached: (218 855 0985), they do have a Contemporary Gospel CD. They have song for many different occassions,we would only need tramsportation, we have a place to stay.I can send you a biography of them. It’s only two days before the ball. Please let us know soon.
I and also the “African American Club sponsor” for a local high school, it would be great to come and get pictures to share,for our next “Black History Celebration” in Feb. 2009″ We are the only diverse school in the whole district to have this type of High School Club.Our student’s would love to know more about their culture, or national leaders.
Thanks, I hope to hear from you’ll soon.
Lavern (281-855-0985)(williamsonsingers@sbcglobal.net)
#14. pinky 01.20.2009
i love obama like most other ppl and i think his change is not just for the usa, but a change for all mankind. it makes me change and want to be a better person from the inside.
#15. buster 01.22.2009
Actually, Earl is a closet dirtbag who screwed most of his former employees out of their exercised stock options for pennys on the dollar only months before he sold his company to Lockheed Martin. Even screwed his own personal secretary, still employed there, out of her options by buying them from he 2 months before close for $3000 (as she was having deep financial troubles) rather than telling her to wait 2 months when they would be worth $300,000. Some Christian he’s turned out to be.
Leave a Comment