His legacy lives on with his devoted wife and now the sole matriarch of the family, Cynthia “Pinky” Jordan. They were right out of the McKinley Tech High School class of 1962, and were married September 28, 1963.

She could not ask for a better support team then, his children, Kim-Andre Jr-Aaron-Kellie-Grands Supreme and Fred (Andre’s brother).

Andre, kept it moving, he began his federal career with the U. S. Post Office Service on October 10, 1964, and in 1969 answered a higher calling as an officer with the United States Park Police. He served broadly and with distinction. He was a member of the Special Operations Force (1970-1972), investigator/detective (1973-1975), and Sergeant in the New York City field office. He oversaw Community Relations, and Criminal Investigations. He rose through the ranks from Lieutenant to Captain. Andre, became known for skillful community engagement at countless events.

I was not surprised by his smooth move through the ranks of the Park Police, my friend, and Spingarn teammate (football, basketball and baseball), Irving brown was already in the department. Those brothers, Irving, Andre, Andrew Johnson, Calvin Awkward, and Marty Tapscott were all a part of the “Officer Friendly” fabric out of the Langston Terrace Community that chose law enforcement careers.

THE TAFT JR. HIGH SHOOL TEAM–AARON FRONT ROW SECOND FROM LEFT NO. 10

The basketball foundational seeds were planted when his father directed him to Jim “Beanie” Howell at Taft Jr. High School in NE DC. “Beanie” was a playground, and an Inside Sports legend. He was also an outstanding player for John Carroll High School. He was one the earliest blacks to play for American University. He followed the legendary Willie Jones, out of Dunbar High School, and my mentor, the great Dickie Wells from Spingarn High School to American University.

Beanie was the Principal of Taft. He had nothing to do with with the team’s make up, he never entered the gym during practice unless there was an emergency. He and Andre Jordan, Sr. were great friends, and father knew best. Just by Beanie being in the building, his eyes would be upon Aaron. Next stop, John Carroll High School where Aaron’s career would blossom.

In 1987, John Carroll basketball success would earn him a seat on my Inside Sports talk show. We talked about the upcoming WCAC Championship match up with St. John’s High School. St. Johns beat them. The game also determined whether, St. Johns’ star Eric Harris or Aaron made the first team All-Met. Aaron, settled for 2nd team All-Met.

Andre, and Aaron were the first father, and son team to appear on Inside Sports.

HOLY CROSS POINT GUARD & CAPTAIN AARON JORDAN

It was at Carroll he developed the discipline, skill, and competitive foundation that prepared him for the next level. Carroll not only sharpen his game, but instiled in him the work ethic and the resilience necessary to succeed at the college level. Holy Cross was a challenge from the very beginning. He suffered injuries in his freshman and sophomore years. He had to dig down deep, despite those setbacks, he persevered, and through determination, and growth, he was able to contribute significantly during his junior and senior years. As a senior he was honored to be selected team captain and helped lead Holy Cross to the inaugural Patriot League Championship game. This was an achievement that reflected both personal resilience and the strong foundation built years earlier at Carroll.

Beanie was a NE DC playground basketball legend (Turkey Thicket), he was an All-Met guard at John Carroll High School. He would be one the earliest Black players to attend American University. The legendary Willie Jones out of Dunbar High School, and my mentor and Spingarn High School football teammate, Dickie Wells were the first black players to knockdown the racial barriers at American University. Beanie would have a great basketball career at American University, but his next basketball stop would be history making. He became the first Black referee to officiate four NCAA Final Four Championship games. Beanie was the also Principal at Taft Jr. High School on South Dakota Avenue, NE DC.

My wife Hattie was teaching at Backus Jr. High School during one period in her career, the school was also located on South Dakota Avenue a 10 minute drive from one to the other. One of my young men that grew up on 12th Place, NW, located off the U Street, NW corridor (The Hood). Mr. Washington aka “Monster” had pulled himself up by his bootstraps, and was now a Principal in the DC Public Schools at Backus.

I discovered early in my work with Kids In Trouble that the middle school students were a rough crew to try to deal with. I also remembered my knucklehead crew at Brown Jr. High School, all located on the one of a kind, “The Hill” on 24th and Benning Road NE.

“THE Hill” started at the Langston Golf Course with Spingarn High School, Charles Young Elementary, Phelps Vocational High School and Brown Jr. High School at the end of the road (24th Street NE). Young people growing up in the Langston Terrace Community never had to leave the DC Public Schools for a higher education until it was time to go to college.

Fred Jordan, completed the whole system, he was in the first graduating class from Spingarn in 1954, with NBA great, Elgin Baylor.

My 12 and under Langston baseball opponent, and high school basketball teammate, Andrew Johnson, traveled the world as a DEA agent, and could never recall another “Educational Hill”, similar.

Backus was not as safe as I first thought for Hattie. Her science class reminded me of the movie “To Sir, With Love” with actor Sidney Poitier in the starring role as black teacher with a class of unruly white British students.

It got so bad, it looked like Principal Washington was in over his head. One student threaten Hattie, and I had to take a couple of my guys from the streets (Theofus Brooks, and Mark “Too Sharpe” Johnson) to sit in her class for a couple of days.

Principal Washington, stepped in, and transferred the unruly student to Taft Jr. High School. Unknowing to me, the Principal was Jim “Beanie” Howell, another legend of Inside Sports. I explained to him the situation at Backus with Hattie, and he assured me the young man was in the right place.

Thanks to the networking of Principal Howell, and Principal Washington, I would later meet the young man’s mother. She was a single parent working two jobs trying to make ends meet-a never ending story in our community. The young man would return to Backus and graduate with honors.

Jim “Beanie” Howell went home to be with the Lord on April 1, 2026. Beanie was 86 years old. He was an officer and a gentleman, and a class act his entire life. He did not just say, “Children First”, he showed you they were. His home going service will be held Friday May 22, 2026. They are now our Checks & Balances from above.

KIDS IN TROUBLE TRIBUTE TO JUDGE LUKE C. MOORE

ANDRE LEADS DISCUSSION AT KIDS IN TROUBLE YOUTH FORUM-GUEST SPEAKERS, KOJO NNAMD & WASHINGTON REDSKIN LB CARL BANKS (Downtown DC Grand Hyatt)

ANDRE-ANREW JOHNSON (DEA), AND I JOIN PG COUNTY SHERIFF J. D. CARR’S VOLUNTEER 100 BLACK MEN INITIATIVE, “MEN WHO READ.” WHEN THERE WAS NO FOLLOW UP-WE KEPT IT MOVING (KIT 6 VOLUNTEERS). THAT WAS THE ANDRE JORDAN WAY-TO NEVER GET STUCK ON STUPID-KEEP IT MOVING.