ARNOLD LEONARD
CLASS OF 1954
Arnold Leonard graduated from Covert Public Schools in the spring of 1954. In September, he enrolled at Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee. In 1956 he attended Western Michigan University and in May of 1958 Arnold graduated from Fisk University with a Bachelor of Arts De gree in Business Administration.
He entered the US Army in August of 1958, and while in the Army, furthered his education at the University of Louisville. He was honorably discharged in August 1960.
In 1960 he married Sadie Davis, a graduate of Kentucky State University. Together they have a daughter, Leslie, and two sons, James and Kevin. Arnold and Sadie have been married 47 years.
From 1960—63 he was employed as a painter, estimator, project manager, working for H. George Leonard & Sons. From 1963—80 he worked for the Berrien County Department of Social Services, the City of Benton Harbor's Urban Renewal Department, was acting president of H. George. Leonard and Sons, Inc., a commercial, industrial and institutional painting company. From 1980— Present, Arnold continues in the painting industry as Vice President, Project Manager, and Estimator for, Arnold Leonard & Sons, Inc., and Commercial Painters, Inc., estimating and managing projects throughout Southwestern Michigan and Northern Indiana.
Arnold has served on the Board of Directors of Swing Lo Scaffold Company, Homes for Berrien County Families, Neighborhood Information and Sharing Exchange, Benton Charter Township Board of Trustees. Additionally, he has been involved in the Harbor Shores Local Business Consortium, Nu Rho Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Union Memorial A.M.E. Church Trustee and Choir.
In 2001 he received Benton Harbor Area Schools Outstanding Service Award during renovations of MLK Elementary School. In 2002 he received the North side Business Association uChai Award for the Investment Commercial Painters, Inc., made in Benton Harbor community. In 2003 he received the Union Memorial A.M.E. Church Trustee of the Year Award.
Arnold is very family oriented, is appreciative of his parents and supportive of his children, sister and brothers as well as other family members. As a 42-year member of Union Memorial A.M.E. Church and as his parents afforded him, he and Sadie have raised their children in the church. They have an abiding faith In God who without his Grace would not have come this far.