Impact Detroit Magazine Impact Detroit Magazine 2013 | Page 80

REA L T A L K W I TH R O L A ND
Our paths crossed as I was entering
Church. Jacquie was engaged in a
conversation with a friend of whom
I grew up with. So I made a
comment, “I need to go in here and
find me a seat.” She said, “If you get
to Church on time you could find a
seat.” Lol, I looked her up and down
and said, “Okay, whatever!”
Later, on another day, I heard
someone call my name. I turned
around and it was her. I said, “Oh
God, what does she
want?” She asked
me about a Christian
Education class and
she wanted to know
if I was attending.
She had spoken with
Pastor Ralph West
and he said it was
something I could
do. I taught the class and knocked it
out. A few weeks later after Bible
study, a few of us were getting
together to go out to get a bite to eat.
Several of us went out, but then they
got busy, so it ended up being just
the two of us. We were at the
restaurant for a long period of time
talking about everything. This was
not new for me as I was always up
late talking to people. We went out a
few more times, but it was platonic,
it was not like “This is who I want to
be with, hang out with.” Nothing
like that at all. Again, I was just
moving back to Houston and I had
purchased a home.

you are going to marry.” I said,
“God have you lost your mind? You
see Susan, I had been married
before, for six years. When I met
Jacquie, I had only been divorced
for five months. I was not against
getting married again, but I was
certainly not looking for a
relationship at that time and
certainly not with her. That’s really
how the conversation went. God
said, “This is the person I have
designed for you.” And I said, “God

and your wife’s character. The
statement reads: “During her
busiest time as a professional,
Jacquie and her husband Roland,
paused to raise her sister-in-laws 4
young children, two of whom had
fallen below academic grade level.”
This says a lot about you and your
wife. Please elaborate.
On four different occasions we
raised six of my nieces. In fact, we
have two of them with us right now.
We are taking their
education to the next
level. We believe in the
concept that it takes a
village to raise a child.
Also, what’s important is
that when you assume
the responsibility of
being an Uncle, a GodFather or God-Mother. It
goes beyond simply having birthday
or Christmas gifts. It’s really about
stepping into the gap when you are
needed. Historically Black folks
have done it. I have witnessed it
with my parents. I can recall several
of my cousins living with us. They
would be going through issues with
their parents and staying with us.

She said, “If you get
to church on time you
could find a seat.”

Then, one day during my
meditation. God said, “This is who

you Tripping.” So after several
months, I hear this voice in a very
empathetic way saying, “This is who
you’re going to marry.” Then I had
to pretty much say fine ok and that’s
really what happened.
How do you and your wife, Jacquie
maintain a sense of balance in your
relationship? Do you have date
nights?
We have always had date nights in
our married relationship. We’ve
always had conferences for married
couples. We are always stressing to
couples how vital it is to maintain
any relationship.
During my research, I found a
statement that speaks volume to you

These things are critically important
when it comes to really helping out
the next generation. We had no
issues with taking the ball and
raising my nieces. Sure, we could
be focusing on ourselves and saving
our money or using it for other stuff,
but I think we also have to be
concerned about the next generation.