Fred is known to have relationships with countless individuals who are in the public eye, in the fields of politics, sports, entertainment, scholastics, and so many others. It’s true that he utilizes those relationships regularly to achieve the level of recognition that he has today, but not on the basis of who he knows. The way Fred explains it: “Do I know Michael Jordan? No. Could I call him right now? Of course.” His associations aren’t what make him, but those associations do provide certain resources that help him help others. Even though he is a recognized community leader, he is even more widely recognized on an individual basis. It may seem almost impossible for a man so widely known, but Fred likes to keep a low profile, because “it’s easier to move and shake.”

I’ve known Fred Clark for a number of years, and was able to sit down with him to talk about his life. We talked about his current position as Athletic Director for all of Harrisburg’s city schools, mentioned his work with Ron Buxton, and discussed his consulting business, Clark Resources, Inc. No matter what title he holds, though, he is always Fred Clark first. During this interview, which felt more like two old friends chatting, we talked mostly about Fred Clark, the person. I met his wife, Debbie, his four-year-old son, Tony (who is very well mannered and well spoken), and had the rare opportunity to see Fred holding his six-week-old daughter, Zoe. It’s a side of Fred Clark that many don’t see, yet it is the foundation of all that he does.

Fred’s philosophy revolves around the accomplishments that all of us can claim on an individual level that, collectively, can be much more powerful than the efforts of committees and groups. It’s like the theory that if each of us picked up paper littering the ground, the city would be clean.

At that individual level, lies Fred’s philosophy of doing good, which he describes in three variations. One is doing good, just to do good - like holding the door for someone, just because it’s the right thing to do. The second is doing good for self - it makes you look or feel good. Third, is doing good for others, out of a genuine desire to provide some benefit, help, or good for another person. Fred tries to apply himself most to this third form of doing good - helping others.

As the Athletic Director, Fred has had plenty of opportunity to guide the city’s young people. There was a time when Fred Clark announced his resignation from the position, but retracted his decision based on his aspirations to give of himself for the good of those young people. He does not regret his decision to stay, especially since it was for the right reason, nor was he the least bit hesitant to say that he changed his mind about resigning. Whether people look upon that as a reason to question his credibility or not, Fred feels comfortable with his ability to change his mind, and to know, within himself, that he’s done the right thing. “If I say that I’m there for the kids, than I can’t allow human nature to come before that.”

Fred frequently finds himself in a position to advise young people. His firmest advice is his adamant encouragement to get an education. “I find it hard to believe that kids can sell drugs and remember who owes them money, even calculate the percentage of profit they’re making, and can’t remember what time school starts.” To the young person who comes from a less-than-supportive home environment, he says, “It is your responsibility to get an education. If you want a chance to get out of it, the best thing you can do is go to school.” He doesn’t make any promises that simply going to school will ultimately get them out, but he does stress that if they hope for “a slim chance,” education is the best solution he can recommend. Along with that, there is a definite need for faith. Those young people, who do not have immediate family members to draw on for support, must look to distant relatives or other members of the community for the support they need. But in the absence of those people, they need to have faith in a higher power to help them through.

We talked at great length about Fred’s view on racism. His work with the young people is an area in which he feels hopeful. Young people aren’t as hung up on race as the adult community. When I asked how he would approach the adult community in regards to racism, his response was that the adult community is to be written off in that venture. According to Fred, adults are so “entrenched,” that it’s virtually impossible to change it. Subtle racism is what Fred finds the most difficult to conquer. He says that it’s much easier to steer clear of those who are outwardly racist than the one who says, “I don’t have a problem with you because you’re black,” and in the next breath says, “But, I don’t want you dating my daughter.” Even subtler, are the situations that Fred has experienced, such as being mistaken for the parking valet or other service employee at grand social functions. “Do they realize it’s a racist act? Probably not. Was I offended? No. It takes a lot to offend me.” Fred feels that young people are much more colorblind when it comes to interaction. “In the millennium, society will not be categorized according to race. It will be a matter of the ‘Haves’ and the ‘Have Nots.’ A society based on class. I can see it already.”

Being biracial, Fred has experienced life from both sides of the color line. Perhaps that fact is what allows him to easily relate to people from all sectors of the community - black, white, homosexual, the ‘haves,’ the ‘have nots,’…. And Fred is very proud of this ability. On a more individual level, Fred says, “People hate Major Poteat. I don’t have a problem with Major.” It is much the same with Mayor Reed. “I like Steve. I don’t always agree with him, but I like him.” Even though he’s not aiming at a shot at the Mayor’s title, Fred says, “Our next mayor will be someone who can relate well with all parts of the community.” When we discussed his plans for the future, Fred said, “I can tell you what I’m going to do tomorrow, three months from now, six months from now. But I couldn’t tell you my plans for five years from now. So many things could change. Do I plan to run for mayor? No. Will I be in a position for it? Definitely.” Right now, Fred is content with his life and supports Mayor Reed for as long as he wants to be there.

Whether Fred is helping young people, or helping to keep peace in the community, he is always making good use of the resources available to him. Many of those resources lie within the relationships he has built along the way. “If I shoot 1000 times and only 500 of those shots connect, I focus on those shots - not the 500 that didn’t come through.” Fred Clark may be only one person, but he is living proof of the power that one person has in making a difference. He encourages people to keep trying. “That next time may be the one that hits.” People tend to get discouraged when their efforts don’t bring visible results. To those people, he says, “You never know how one thing you do affects another person.” Doing good for others is obviously what Fred considers most valuable. He knows he has made a positive impact on many people, but as he said, “I’d rather you let those people tell you about me, than for me to tell you what I have done.”

As corny as it sounds, Fred thinks of himself, “first, as a human being, second as an African American.” But, the secret to his success seems to be that, no matter what position he holds in the public eye, he is always Fred Clark.