Throughout February we're asking "What does it mean to be a Human Arrow?"

Brandon Wood goes back to 1992 to try and answer.

Welcome to Human Arrow.

I think it might be valuable to share an early memory of mine; about a gentleman I came across very early in my life. His name was Reverend McCord. Now I never knew his given name, but everything I needed to know was there. That is what everyone called him. Not once did I ever hear his first name. It was always Reverend McCord.

I was immediately intrigued and drawn to him. Probably for a couple of reasons; he was black, like me, in a predominately white populated school, and he wore very thick concave prescription lenses. You know the style people purchased in the early eighties and wore well into the early nineties. It was so distinctly peculiar to my young eyes.  

I believe I came to know Rev. McCord because he was most likely the head custodian. When something needed to be done, Rev. McCord was the person to call. He had an office. Actually, I’m pretty sure what he had was a closet,  a closet that he fashioned into an office of sorts. On several occasions, maybe to say hello, maybe because someone needed him, I would visit his office. And I can recall opening his door and seeing him seated, dressed in an army green Dickie’s coverall, reading. I am almost certain he was reading the Bible.

It is truly amazing how perceptive children can be. I surely perceived Rev. McCord’s character. Look, I do not believe anyone aspires to be a janitor. And that is something I knew even as an eight year old child. In the past janitors were often dishonored and degraded. They were people who were disrespected, marginalized, and belittled. But what I also knew as an eight year old child was Rev. McCord had transformed a typically negative role into something positive and empowering. He was a person to be respected. Not just because of the title that preceded his name either. Everyone I witnessed treated him with utmost respect, I suspect because he treated everyone with utmost respect.  He often instructed me, telling me what was good, and how a young boy should act. I didn’t know it then but he was showing me something, he was indicating a direction, he was showing me a direction. What was he pointing me to? What was he showing me? He was showing me how to be Christ-like, how to be humble, how to work hard for your family, how to be respectful, how to redefine success, how to treat others, and how to be meek.

I share this story because Human Arrow is not about what we do but about what we are committed to doing. Rev. McCord is Human Arrow. You are Human Arrow. 

Brandon Wood is a native of Alabama who currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and founder of Human Arrow, Jasmine Wood. He enjoys well-tailored suits and football. Roll Tide.