Andre Johnson 
If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
HIGHLY RESPECTED
In case you don’t know him, Sergeant James C. Parks would like to introduce himself.
“I have been active in service-oriented leadership for over 30 years, beginning with my military career and continuing through civilian leadership and community activism after retirement,” Sergeant Parks told Making Headline News during a recent interview in commemorating Black History Month 2026.
To his distinctly unique credit, Sergeant Parks, throughout his immeasurable career, carved out an impressive resume, most notably as a United States Army veteran whose military stints spanned some 20 years.
LEAST WE FORGET
Also, Sergeant Parks served as Facilities Maintenance Director for Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) for 17 years and was an esteemed community activist for more than a decade.
In his OIC role, Sergeant Parks was largely responsible for supervising all program facility sites for six programs across Eastern and Western Washington state. In addition, he served as committee chairman of the Henry Beauchamp Community Center for seven years, helping guide community-focused initiatives in Yakima, Washington.
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By all accounts, Sergeant Parks emphasized what makes his body of work special is that it is rooted in service, accountability, and genuine concern for people, particularly those who cannot easily speak for themselves.
“After living in my community for more than 30 years, I witnessed its deterioration, eroding sidewalks, neglected properties, absentee landlords, gang activity, drugs, and abandoned vehicles,” Sergeant Parks told MHN.
Moreover, Sergeant Parks recalls how community activism has become what he describes as a “natural extension” of his military and professional background.
“I believe clean and safe communities don’t happen by accident,” Sergeant Parks explained. “They require organization, collaboration, and pride. My approach focuses on building coalitions that include grassroots leaders, law enforcement, schools, churches, businesses, and city officials.”
In a nutshell, Sergeant Parks emphasized, “The goal is not to pick winners or losers, but to work within the system to create lasting change.”
CHANGING A GENERATION
Interestingly enough, Sergeant Parks doesn’t shy away from the notion that he routinely encourages residents to know their neighbors, organize their blocks, address issues responsibly, understand city policies, and hold elected officials accountable.
“Activism means taking ownership — organizing block parties, community walks, removing graffiti, attending council meetings, and demanding that leaders protect and serve all people, all of the time,” Sergeant Parks said. “My career — military, professional, and community-based — has always been about leadership, structure, and service. I remain committed to empowering communities through organization, awareness, and collective responsibility.”
Because after all, Sergeant Parks acknowledged, “The truth will set you free.”
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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