Ambrose Bennett thought early on that being a teacher was the greatest profession on earth.
But a bigger ambition had that dream set aside.
“I wanted to work in Washington in a think tank so I took up economics,” says Bennett.
He says he didn’t realize then that being an African-American would not have an equal fighting chance to be admitted into that think tank if he were without Washington connections at the time.
Narrating this period of his life, Bennett shares with Variety a myriad of thoughts overwhelming him then. “I majored in Economics and minored in Sociology because I wanted to work in a think tank in Washington but it proved to be almost impossible for an African-American to be accepted into such a prestigious organization during those times of extreme racism in America.”
Believing that racism and racial discrimination had to stop, Bennett was among those sea of faces in Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Movement that ended racial segregation in America.
Speaking further on his college days, Bennett shares that he too was active in extra-curricular activities and received several scholarships in football and track and field.
“I chose to remain at home in Memphis and attend Le-Moyne Owen College on a four-year Track Scholarship,” Bennett says adding that he ranked high in the national standings for small colleges in the 400 meters.
During his prime, Bennett appeared to be headed for Olympic glory, setting records in athletic conferences in the 100-meter dash, 200 meters, 400 meters, 4×400 m and 4×800 m relays.
He could actually taste the opportunity to go to Munich Games.
As fate would have it, two weeks prior to the trials, he cut his foot while working as a lifeguard that cost him his chance to get on the U.S. Olympic team.
A dream was snuffed out, expectations altered, and plans changed.
It was a disappointment; however, life went on for Bennett.
After college, he got certified by the State of Tennessee to teach. “I started teaching in the Memphis school system right out of college but I got adventurous and started seeing dollar signs and chasing better jobs.”
He became a licensed private detective, then worked as a “repo man” for a bank on commercial loans. He also managed large Section 8 apartment complexes for a real estate company. He also served as an assistant for the City Treasurer resolving City v County tax issues.
Asked how he ended up on Saipan, Bennett tells Variety, “People don’t believe me when I tell them my wife found me.”
Lillian was on the mainland attending college when their paths crossed. Bennett’s friend wanted to introduce Lillian to him and one day they all paid Bennett a visit.
Bennett admits, “I literally swept her off her feet because I was so taken by her beauty and her hair which was touching her knees at that time.”
It was indeed love at first sight for the couple. Soon, they found themselves expecting a visit from the stork.
He says he and his wife had resolved to relocate to Guam where they agreed to raise their soon-to-be born daughter Shequita.
“We relocated to Guam because job opportunities were better and I had gotten a job teaching for the Guam Department of Education but Justo Quituqua was recruiting for the CNMI and I was selected to teach at Oleai by Mrs. Remy Mike who was the Principal at Oleai,” says Bennett.
Prodded to share the secret to their marriage’s longevity, Bennett says his mother taught him to appreciate and hold tight to good things about a person rather than focus on her faults.
He adds, “I credit true love and my approach to marriage as being the biggest reason we are still together today.”
Prior to moving to the islands, Bennett says he sought his mother’s advice.
The Bennett matriarch told him, “Ambrose if you are going out there in the middle of the ocean, you had better learn how to grow big quick, fast and in a hurry because all the little fish are eaten by the big fish.”
Bennett could not have agreed more. “She was right because there was a time when an outsider like me who speaks out would have been chased off the island. But I did like Dr. King and other adults in the Civil Rights Movement taught us to let our little light shine and to let society judge you by your deeds and accomplishments, not your color.”
Coming to Guam in 1989, Bennett says it was refreshing to know that the people were friendly and deeply rooted in their culture. “The cultural experiences were the most fascinating for me to attend fiestas and parties with all kinds of food,” he says adding that he first fell in love with chicken kelaguen.
He also remembers his first fishing experience — spear fishing at night along the reef.
“I would say that life has been great for me since my arrival. I was blessed with a beautiful family and a good job with the school system. I came to the CNMI with the intent of living by a simple creed of living for God, my family and my community and I have lived this simple life since my arrival,” he says.
Over the years, Bennett has come to love the Marianas as his second home and actively participates in the community.
Having come to love the islands, Bennett is unfazed in sharing his thoughts on issues that affect the community.
As a father, Bennett admits that he relished every moment. “I can say that I have enjoyed every minute of raising my children, as it was truly the best times of my life seeing them grow up. I instilled in my kids at a very early age that their education would dictate their quality of life and that their morals and values would always keep them well grounded and on the right track.”
Home is where Bennett’s heart is. Now that his children are all grown up, he enjoys doing maintenance work and watching sports on TV. He also enjoys writing as a hobby.
When not home, Bennett can be seen careening down the road with his blue trike. He recently opened up a new business, a trike dealership.
In his retirement, Bennett wanted to do something different. “The trike business that I have started truly fits the bill for something different, new, better and exciting for Saipan and I can’t go anywhere riding my trike without someone giving me a thumbs-up and a smile for bringing Trikes to Saipan.”
Bennett is now living his dream on Saipan and living up to his creed to be a contributor in the community.
Bennett continues to be inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King as he lives his dream on Saipan where people from various cultures strive to live as equals.
