1968-, Charles Wesley Ford, Hart Modeling Agency, Boston, MA

The first black (Afro-American) model for the Hart Modeling Agency. The year was 1968. I was

asked to create a fashion show and model at the Boston Copley Plaza Hotel as my first assignment for the agency. The theme was "The Age of Aquarius".  It was so cool, hip and different than the typical fashion shows of the day.  I believe it started a new trend for fashion shows in the future. I am very proud of this accomplishment, because I had never been in a fashion show, but I knew it had to be avant-garde. The show got great reviews as being cutting edge in the  Boston trade magazines. Buyers from coast to coast where there as well. I have no idea why Mrs. Abbott, the owner, decided to put her trust in me.  I guessed she thought that I could produce some WOW to the runway. I did not think I let her down. 

The irony of this event was several months earlier I walked into her office with a Polaroid photo of myself and said I that I would like to become a model.  She politely dismissed me.  I did not have a portfolio and I was dressed in jeans.  I returned several months later, with a portfolio and dressed to the hilt.  She didn't even know that I was the same person that she interviewed several months earlier and I never told her about our first meeting.  She put me under contract on the spot.  That's the irony of my modeling career. The next thing I was doing was producing a fashion show.  Go figure.

1958-08-23, Charles Wesley Ford - Graduation Review,

1958, From the Lynn Daily Item Newspaper Article:

"Charles W. Ford, airman apprentice, son of  Mrs Lorraine R. ford, 9 South Elm Street, recently completed recruit training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, ILL, and is now spending a 14 day leave with his mother.

Airman Ford enlisted in the Navy in June at the Navy recruiting station in Lynn.  While undergoing  training at Great Lakes, IL, he was chosen battalion commander and subsequently promoted to regiment commander and then to brigade commander of the 14th Regiment. 

On graduation day, because of his outstanding leadership, ability and military bearing, he was choose Unit Sub Commander and marched at the of the unit. ( I am one of the persons in the middle of the field on the pathway)

Upon completion of his leave, Airman Ford will report to the U. S. Naval Air Station, Memphis, Tenn, for duty.

Ford, graduated for Classical High school with the Class of 1958.  He was well known as a track star and won his letter in this sport."

The Good Life