Pastor T.L. Barrett’s Gospel | Broken Record

Family Ties

Pastor T.L. Barrett shares his familial ties to the legendary Reverend C.L. Franklin and his daughter, Aretha Franklin. He recounts a memorable encounter with Reverend Franklin, facilitated by his father's advice to mention their family connection. This meeting led to a mutual exchange of preaching invitations between their churches, although a tragic event prevented Barrett from meeting Aretha directly 1.

My father told me that if I ever met Reverend Franklin, to tell him that he is Tom Barrett. He said, 'That's my cousin, man.'

--- T.L. Barrett

Despite the missed opportunity, Barrett's connection to these iconic figures remains a significant part of his personal history.

   

Community Impact

Barrett's impact on his community is profound, transforming a crime-ridden area into a thriving neighborhood. He established a church on 55th and Indiana, known as "the palace in the midst of malice," which has become a cornerstone of the community's revitalization 2. His dedication to community improvement is further exemplified by the creation of the Cleo Center, named in memory of his daughter, and the Cleo Residence, Chicago's first green building 2.

This community is a beautiful community now because somebody stayed. Not just prayed, but we stayed and we worked.

--- T.L. Barrett

Barrett's journey from a high school dropout to a community leader is marked by resilience and determination, as he overcame early setbacks to achieve significant accomplishments 3.