neighbors
say you are lacking because you didn ’ t put in the effort . It ’ s not about who you are , it ’ s about what you do .”
While at college , Robinson delved into his own community service initiatives . “ If you live there , you take care of ( community members ) inany way that you can ,” Robinson says . When everyone is invested in what happens to the other people around them , he says , the community is whole .
“ We have different roles in the community , but if this kid takes the wrong path and he livesnext to me , that affects me . Therefore , in order for me to strengthen my community , I have to make sure that kid succeeds , too ,” he says .
3
HE
WASMOVED BY THE TEACHINGS OF A CAMBODIAN COLLEAGUE
After school , Robinson moved back to Long Beach , California , and worked as a program manager at St . Mary ’ s Medical Center helping Southeast Asians access health care . Many therewere refugees from Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge . “ Just hearing their stories and understanding how difficult life really can be was eye-opening ,” Robinson says .
Initially , he was most concerned with fulfilling his quota of people the program directors needed to reach . But Men Riem , a former teacher from Cambodia , worked with Robinson and left an imprint on him . He reminded Robinson of the personal connection that should be driving the program .
“ He told me , ‘ The tallest tree always gets the most wind ,’” Robinson says . “ I realized sometimes people don ’ t want to stand up because it is too much pressure . We need to work with the roots of the trees ( young people ) so that the roots can growstrong , and in any environment , they will be grounded ,” he says , no matter how strong the headwinds they face .
4
HE
VALUING FAMILY TIES Jason Robinson ’ s son , Nuri Robinson ; niece Erica White ; son Rumi Robinson ; wife Brandi Robinson ; Jason Robinson
HAS RAISED HIS SONS TO GO HIGH WHEN OTHERS GO LOW
His son Rumi , 20 and a student at George Washington University , says of his father , “ He has always taught me and my brother ( Nuri ) to treat people with respect no matter what , and to always be kind . Alot of theconversation we have with our dad about police brutality in relation to things that have recently occurred is about being vocal , speaking up and speaking out , and being compassionate during these times .”
Robinson tells his two sons that just because the world treats them unfairly doesn ’ t mean they have to treat other people the same way . “ We are seeingso much tension now because police brutality and treating others unfairly is becoming normalized ,” he says .
Robinson says what ’ s happening is that non-Black people are acknowledging inequality , and they are looking around saying that they ’ re not putting up with that type of relationship .“ That is why the protests are happening , and now other people are protesting on behalf of African Americans ,” Robinson says .
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HE
OPENED ABARBER SHOP TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
Robinson says that when people start having others who don ’ t look like themselves in their backyard barbecues or in their homes around their kitchen tables , they show that they ’ re capable of change .
The real embodiment of the diverse kitchen table dynamic happened in 2011 , when Robinson opened 8 to 8 Barber Shop in West Orange , which he owned until 2018 . Robinson started it with the concept of understanding that barbershops are the heart of acommunity . “ You get people from all over the place . The mayor would come in and be able to speak with alittle kid , and they are having a conversation about a skateboarding park being built ,” he says .
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ROBINSON
IS CURRENTLYA PARTNER IN A NEIGHBOR- HOOD LOCKER BAY COMPANY
Earlier this year , Robinson helped start a company called JIT ( Just in Time ) Concierge , which offers 24-hour “ smart lockers ” to customers who order products for delivery from sources such as Amazon , Etsy and Facebook Marketplace .
7HE CHOSE THE NAME THREE- FIFTHS FOUNDATION FOR ITS HISTORICAL RESONANCE .
The Three-Fifths Compromise , decided at the United States Constitutional Convention in 1787 , stated that a Black person would be valued as three-fifths of a human . “ At the stroke of a pen held by legislators and lawyers , our value was decided ,” Robinson says . “ In order for Black people to say who we are , we need to have our legislators in place ( and write ) the laws that will work to help better our community . Little by little , things will change ,” he says .
The name Three Fifths Foundation is intended to remind people of what it takes to make positive change , he says . “ In order for you to be better , you need to have the pen in your hand , and recreate that value ,” he says . “ What we look at doing is understanding what the problems are , and where the problems are . And donating to organizations that are helping the kids , and helping teachers to eliminate those implicit biases when teaching Black students .”
8HE LIKES THE RESTFULNESS OF HIS WAYNE SETTING
Robinson , who moved back to New Jersey from Seattle in July 2019 , says Packanack Lake is like an oasis . His wife ’ s work in the pharmaceutical field has caused the family to move afew times , but he says they are always being drawn back to Jersey . “ There ’ s alot of greenery , it ’ s very peaceful , and it ’ s not abad place tobelocked in ( during the pandemic ),” Robinson says . Even though they can ’ t go on vacation , hesays , “ I can walk around . It ’ s restful . People are very kind here . Sometimes it ’ s just someone giving asmile and saying hello that can make the difference .” ■
COURTESY OF BRANDI ROBINSON
8 HOLIDAY 2020 WAYNE MAGAZINE