Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 17 February 2005 — Page 26

Page 26 • The Muncie Times • February 17, 2005

Some of Muncie’s History Makers

Rashid Shabaz Cincinnati Royals, 1967-69; Boston Celtics, 1969-71; Milwaukee Bucks; retired in 1972. Graduate of Muncie Central High School, 1962; attended Highland University (Las Vegas, New Mexico) "I left Muncie knowing that some black folk were doing something out there and Muncie wasn’t teaching it," said Shabbaz. Recalling his days of growing up in Muncie, Shabbaz said his motivation came from the influence of the "whole village." As children, he, his brother and sisters attended Shaffer Chapel A.M.E. Church. "You’ve heard the saying that it takes a whole village to raise a child and that village had me." Returning to Muncie from California in the late sixties, Shabbaz got off the bus only to be picked up as a suspect in an armed robbery. "I just let the officers take me downtown and when they closed the door to the cell, I produced my bus ticket receipt," said Shabbaz. That erroneous twist of fate is what started his NBA career. "After the false arrest, the officers started eating cheese," he said. "The chief of police at the time was friends with the general manager of the Cincinnati Royals." "He the chief) asked if I could play ball. I said yes. He arranged for me to meet his friend in an attempt to make up for what had happened," Shabbaz said.

"During this time you played all positions and I pretty much did that for the Royals, Celtics and the bucks," he said. His mother remembers Shabbaz as being a good kid. "He was pretty disciplined and playing basketball was all he liked to do," she said. "Of courts parents were old- fashioned in discipline then and we kept a close watch over our children. Raushaunah Shabbaz said that her former husband carries a strong sense of loyalty to the community. "He has great motivation and is a very positive person. He’s very devoted to his religion, Islam," she said. Shabbaz owned Rashid’s Fish and Chips. His business was located in the Whitely community. Bom July 15, 1943 William Edward Dinwiddie to Curely W. (deceased) and Madeline Coatley Dinwiddie. The family resided at 1501 E. Butler St. His siblings are Ambemita D. Bames (West Covena, Calif.), John M. Dinwiddie (Big Bear, Calif.) and Karen Thompson (Muncie). He is the father of five sons and two daughters: Rashid, Rashoul, Rahim, Chad, George, Kimberly (deceased) and Stephanie.

would have him stand on a box so the audience could see him over the pulpit. He once said that in April 1923, when he was 5, he was baptized and started preaching in bams and schools. He said he first preached in Muncie when he was 11 years old at Calvary Baptist Church. He also traveled throughout the Midwest preaching wherever he could. One of his parish members said, "He’s a great man, when he preached his voice was so loud that it would wake you up. He would jump up and down and his eyes got so big they would look like they were going to pop out of his head." In the 1950s and 1960s, he became a force to be dealt with in the subject of human rights in Muncie. He served as a member of the Muncie Human Rights Commission and advocated change for the city. He was quoted as saying on one occasion, "Muncie needs black leadership. A black is a black in Muncie, regardless of where he lives. When one suffers we all suffer." The Rev. Broaddus was a leader when it was dangerous to be a leader. Muncie is a better place for all of us, because he happened to pass this way.

Rev. I. P. Broadus

The Rev. I. R Broaddus was born in Richmond, Ind., to Roscoe and Maude Broaddus. At a very early age it became apparent that the youngster had a unique talent for speaking. He was called "The Boy Preacher" at a very young age. At most churches they

Richard Taylor

Richard Taylor came to Muncie in the early 1930s and joined in the funeral home business with the Rev. John E. Johnson at 1414 E. Highland Ave. A quiet, smooth talking man, he complimented the Rev.

Johnson who was a dominating figure in the community., They had developed what was called those days an Egytian formula for preserving bodies for long periods of time. It was rumored that many white morticians of the day tried every way they knew to get the process from them, but never succeeded. After Johnson’s death Richard Taylor over the business with a partner named Lee Grumes. They later moved the business a half block west to 1401 E. Highland Ave. where it flourished until after World WarIL Taylor became mayor of Whitely where his business was located and he and his wife Jane (a beautiful and fair skinned lady) were quite the classy couple. They had several children Richard, Dickie, Jr, Phyllis, Ronnie, and Betty. He often rented out his limousine out to transport people to Indianapolis and other cities because of the war and a gas shortage. Morticians could get all the gas they needed. He also was a Notary Public and signed many legal documents.

Idabelle E. Martin

the registration office at the Delaware County Court House. She worked at Westinghouse for 15 years. She is the daughter of Mae and Warren Howze of Muncie. She is the mother of six children. She graduated from Muncie Central High School. Martin’s goal in life is to work and do all she can to help the children in the Muncie community. She wants to help then acquire well-rounded education, and to take pride in themselves, so that they become productive citizens of Muncie. She has been politically involved throughout the years to help make Muncie a better place to live. She is involved in adult education programs as well as a volunteer tutor for the foreign students enrolled at Ball State. Her civic services include, leader for Girl Scouts, Junior Achievers, Munciana Nursery. Her political involvement includes precinct committee, People’s Committee, American Business Women Association, and the Human Rights Commission.

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Idabelle Martin is a retired accounts clerk from Westinghouse. She was the first black woman to work in

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