Building a Well-Lived Life Against All Odds with Franklin Henderson | S06 E05
Franklin Henderson's story begins in Miami, Florida in 1929, just as the Great Depression took hold. When his father passed away at age four, his mother was left to raise four children alone with only a seventh-grade education, surviving on government relief food and navigating the brutal realities of segregation.
In this episode, Franklin shares what it meant to grow up Black in segregated Miami, where every bus ride was a reminder of his place in society and every opportunity required fighting twice as hard. After graduating from Southern University and becoming a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Beta Sigma,1950), he enlisted in the Army and shortly afterward became a paratrooper at a time when the armed forces were still navigating integration.
He speaks about the discipline, the danger, and the pride of serving his country, even when that country didn't always see him as equal. While serving at Fort Campbell in Kentucky he met the love of his life Doris (Bond) Henderson. After service, he pursued a second degree (Electrical Engineering) at Tennessee State University. He and Doris built 68 years together in Los Angeles, a marriage so strong that even after her passing in 2024, Franklin visits her grave daily, decorates their home as she would have, and refuses to leave the house they shared until his own time comes.
Franklin's story shows why legacy matters, not because it's perfect or easy, but because it's honest. He reminds us that a life well-lived is measured not in years, but in purpose, connection, and the dignity of showing up. Tune in as we witness how one man's journey from Depression-era Miami to present-day Los Angeles reveals the power of resilience, love, and never giving up.
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More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast:
The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember.
Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard.
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