Mr. Lester Harbin, Sr.

His Story: Lester Harbin Sr. He was the third child in a sibship of four born to LC Harbin and Hershel Mae (Everhart) Harbin. His siblings are Verlina, Yvonne and Marshall, two of whom Marshall and Verlina preceded him in death along with his parents. Almost from the time of his birth, he was a challenging child. Lester talked before he decided to walk and often surprised mother with his vocabulary while she cared for his daily needs. He was satisfied to remain in his crib awaiting the arrival of his older sister from preschool. After Verlina got her nap and lunch, Mother allowed her children to sit at the foot of his crib while she taught the lesson that she learned from that day. Therefore he was able to talk and read at the age of 3. As a result of being trained by his sisters, he became the kind of man delegating task to others and he expected them to be fulfilled. The most notable thing about his schooling he never missed a single day elementary to the completion of high school. Every year he received a certificate for perfect attendance. He loved a challenge and he love to win. He wanted to be the best at whatever he did. He started working at age 11. He sold Jet’s magazine and had a paper route. He received awards for selling the most Jet’s magazine. He was always in competition to be the best. He was a hard worker and often gave his mother money to save for him. The Harbin kid’s had many jobs including washing cars and owned their family grocery store from 1955-1969. As result of a quota on minorities at Wayne State and in spite of his remarkable test scores, he had to attend a community college for a year before Wayne State would enroll him. By that time he started working for the Detroit Newspaper they required them to be in college in order to put newspaper’s into a road side bins. In 1962, he was permitted to enroll in Wayne State University where both of his sister’s were attending and he became militant and angry. He joined the Uhhuhrus that were a group of black militant men opposed to Wayne State’s admissions racist policies against minorities. He became an advocate for education and civil rights for minorities. He completed his Bachelor’s at Wayne State. Joined with his sister Yvonne Harbin, they competed completed their Master’s in 1975. Lester Harbin M.Ed, W.S.U. 1975 was a teacher in Detroit Public Schools (DPS) for almost 30 years. A specialist in the Guided Group Interaction process, he insisted on continued classroom participation while advocating for positive peer relationships thru out all systems impacting lives of children. He was a active participant in numerous workshops from EEE8, GGI, A.C.E. Efficacy, Independent Mental Skills to Assertive Discipline. He was the founder of the success club at Burroughs Middle School in 1976, started a program in Georgia, OPERATION GENIUS and currently is founder and mentor for a youth group called Mr. Harbin’s CRUSADERS (Clean, Righteous, Useful, Students, Against, Dangerous, Evil, Rowdy, Streets.) Mr. Harbin has also conducted workshops in Conflict Resolution at various Middle Schools in the Detroit area as well as at the Afro-American Child in Crises Forum at Cobo Hall. In 1976, he was married Mary Alice (Joseph) Harbin and that marriage produced Lester Harbin Jr (Faith Harbin granddaughter). He was subsequently divorced from Mary Alice (Joseph) Harbin in 1997. After uniting with Yolanda Anderson, his family grew to include 3 additional kids. His birth son Leyoun Dinzel Harbin( Lyra and Logan Harbin granddaughter’s), Kewanna Anderson and De’Juan Anderson. Schooley or School teacher as he was known at the pool room and around the city, he was a hustler. He loved a challenge weather it was betting on horses, playing pool, betting on the numbers or playing cards. He was great at all of it and that included making his student’s the best that they could be!!!! He had a strong religious faith. He loved God and he loved attending church regularly. He was a big giver in Christ with his service and monetarily. He was a certified minister under Arch Bishop Ward and worshipped at his home church Living the Word Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Dwain L. Harbin.

Mr. Lester Harbin, Sr.

December 18, 1943 - November 19, 2018