A. Michael Evans, Jr.:
CLASS OF 1966
Mt. Carmel High SchoolClass of 1966
Los angeles, CA
Audubon Junior High SchoolClass of 1962
Los angeles, CA
Holy Spirit / Saint Mary Magdelen SchoolClass of 1957
Los angeles, CA
Saint Gabriel SchoolClass of 1956
Washington, DC
Saint Martin's SchoolClass of 1954
Washington, DC
A. Michael's Story
Life
I am the Executive Producer of Dr. Frederick K. C. Prices' television program, Ever Increasing Faith, Vice President of Marketing at Crenshaw Christian Center, Home of the FaithDome, General Manager of the Ministry,s Advertising Agency, Faith One Advertising, developer of the Ministry,s WebSite and I manage the ministry's Aviation Department. I've been with Crenshaw Christian Center & Ever Increasing Faith Ministries since 1985.
Previously, I was the first African American Assistant Chief Train Dispatcher in the country, during my 14-year tenure with the Southern Pacific Transportation Co., from 1971 to 1985. From 1969 to 1971, I was a Sergeant in a the Army in a Military Intelligence, (MACV) unit in Long Thanh North, So. Viet Nam, (224th AVN BN RR, 509th RR Grp.)
I am married to Angela (Price)Evans. Together, we have two children, Alan, currently working at Crenshaw Christian Center as a Non-Linear Videotape Editor and Adrian, a recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing, now attending American Intercontinental University in Marina Del Rey.
We have 3 Grandchildren, all boys under 7yrs. old.
School
Went to St. Martin's School in Washington D. C. for Kindergarden because my parish, St. Gabriel's, didn't have a Kindergarden. Did 1st & 2nd grade at St. Gabriels. Moved to Los Angeles, Adams Blvd. and enrolled in Holy Spirit School for 6 months of 3rd grade. Moved again to Leimert Park, couldn't get into Transfiguration School, so had to go to 39th St. School. Loved it, didn't want to leave. Forced to go to Transfiguration for 5th, 6th & 10 weeks of 7th grade. Got kicked out & went to Audubon. Loved it, got to see all my old 39th St. School buddies. forced to go to all boys Mt. Carmel High School, wanted to go to Dorsey. Did 4 yrs. at Carmel and ended up liking it after all. Took a couple of months off to work and enrolled at East L. A. College. Did about a year. Got drafted. 7 yrs. later, enrolled in West L. A. College. Graduated with A.A. Almost transferred to UCLA, but got major promotion at job, Southern Pacific Railroad as 1st African American Train Dispatcher in U.S. Never went back to school.
College
Collage for me was elusive. While in High School, I enjoyed Drafting which was what my Dad did, so I thought I wanted to go to Northrop Institute of Technology upon graduation. Unfortunately, I received no encouragement to do so in that my parents had just purchased a home for a family of 7. So, I didn't go to school until fear of the draft and being sent to Viet Nam overtook me and I enrolled at East Los Angeles College. While there, I took Police Scie...Expand for more
nce with hopes of joining the California Highway Patrol.
After a semester, I took the CHP, 5 1/2 hr. exam and got a 97.18%. But, was told I failed the oral exam. (Then again, in 1969, there were no African American CHP Officers and I wasn't going to be their first.) So,I got disgusted, quit school and got drafted.
7 years later, I enrolled at West Los Angeles College and received my Associate Arts degree, hoping to transfer to UCLA as a pre-law major. But, just before I applied, my salary doubled in a new position at the railroad and it was an additional two years before I could even consider school. Unfortunately, in the meantime, I married, bought a home, new car and was working on raising a family. No UCLA.
Later on,I did take a few college classes, Advanced Spanish and introductory Hebrew. I love foreign languages and am able to communicate with Hispanics in Southern California as a result. I have been to Israel at least 6 times and desired to learn the language.
Shalom
Workplace
Started with the S.P. in 1971 following a two stint in the Army, Viet Nam. Began at Los Angeles Taylor Yard as a Carryall driver, hauling train crews from Taylor Yard to wherever their trains were.
Next, I held a series of Yard and Train Clerk positions, working at the Top End of "A' yard, Bottom End of "C" yard, the Hump, Yard Office, 8th Street, Tweedy Blvd., South Gate and the "J" yard.
I bumped into Dayton Ave. Tower as a Towerman and was there for a year before transferring to the Chief Dispatcher's Office.
I became the first African American Train Dispatcher in the U.S., as the Coast, West End, East End and Valley Mountain Dispatcher. I was promoted to Assistant Chief Train Dispatcher over the L.A. Office until I resigned to take a position with Crenshaw Christian Center.
Military
Got drafted at 18, postponed, School. Quit school, got drafted again at 20. Did basic and AIT at Ft. Ord, CA. Was an Asst. Platoon Guide, but didn't get mosquito wing upon graduation because of talking about the CO the night before. Took RTO class in AIT. Copied Morse Code at 8WPM and transferred to Ft. Gordon, GA. Entered Signal Corps., copied Morse Code at 11WPM. Attempted to go to Shake & Bake school, promoted to Corporal, class canceled. Got to keep Corporal stripes anyway. Got my one and only tatoo. Got assigned to Viet Nam, HHC, 509th RR Group, 224th AVN BN, Radio Research. (MACV) Did 11 months at Long Thanh North. Loved it. Worked in motor pool a few months while awaiting Top Secret clearance. Got it, spent the rest of my tour inside an air conditioned Comm. Center. Promoted to Sgt. E-5. DEROSE'd home in Oct. 71'.
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