Black History Month is the time to celebrate some of America’s great African American patriots’ achievements throughout its history. We have all heard the stories about famous black Americans from Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman to more modern legends like M.L.K, Rosa Parks, and Jackie Robinson. However, a name that deserves to stand alongside these courageous figures, though not as well known, is Conejo Valley’s own Charles V. Bush.
Knowledge Matters
During the Jim Crow and the desegregated South’s tumultuous times, young Bush was fighting back by reading and learning. Bush developed his love for reading while being raised at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by his mother and father.
“He led by example. He was always prepared, always well-read, well-researched, and always knew the facts and numbers,” Bettina, his youngest daughter says while talking about her father’s pursuit of knowledge.
His thirst for knowledge grew throughout his schooling, which led to him being selected by Chief Justice Earl Warren to be the first African American Page of the Supreme Court as a 14-year-old boy.
“My dad helped people understand that we are all equals through a personal connection. That part of his personality was developed by his time as a page. For a 14-year-old surrounded by mostly white people and grand buildings, it must’ve been intimidating to figure out not only how to fit in, but also to figure out why he belongs there.”
Bush was in the page program for 3 years, which he said was highlighted by the yearly Annual Supreme Court Justices and Pages Luncheon, which was hosted by the Chief Justice. Bush loved this act of leadership by Warren because it was his way of showing equality amongst all pages of every race.
Patriotism Matters
Before he finished his time at Capitol Page School, Bush competed for a nomination spot at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). He ranked #2 on the exam and was given the “alternate” nominee. A few years later, James C. Evans reached out to Bush with the guarantee that this time he would be given the nomination in 1963. Bush would be one of only three African American classmates to become a cadet that year.
Despite feeling like an outcast from most of his peers, Bush thrived during his military career, which was highlighted by his tremendous courage in volunteering for an assignment to a special intelligence unit in Vietnam. That act of bravery would lead to Bush being awarded two Air Force Commendation Medals, the Bronze Star, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Bush would end his seven-year military journey in 1970, where he received an honorable discharge. Bush would continue to be a key voice in the USAFA, giving many acclaimed speeches on the necessity of diversity.
Academics Matter
Bush’s thirst for knowledge did not end while serving as a page or serving in the military. Bush majored in Electrical Engineering and then graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the USAFA. Later on, Bush would receive his Masters of Arts degree in International Relations from Georgetown University. He then received his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He also learned Tae Kwon Do, was a member of the USAFA Debate Team, a member of the Wing Champion Rugby Team, and learned Russian. Charles V. Bush didn’t just have a thirst for knowledge; he had a HUNGER for knowledge. His collection of degrees was as plenteous as his collection of service medals.
Diversity Matters
Despite retiring from the USAFA, Bush felt the pull back into the military when he realized that very few minorities were joining the USAFA. Bush worked with several serving lieutenant generals to initiate a strategy that would reach more minorities for the Air Force.
“A diverse military environment is, in my mind, a military necessity, as it betters our people and our institution to engage in a dynamic, multi-faceted, and nuanced world. So, we must encourage the conditions for greater meaningful diversity—that which truly enhances our effectiveness,” Bush would state, quoting General Norton Shwartz. Bush believed that diversity is indeed much more than just a strength; it’s essential. However, this ideology was something that he never conveyed with anger or smugness. Instead, Bush would fight this uphill equality battle with friendship and wisdom.
“I went to one of his 45th Air Force Academy reunions, and a very nice man walks up to me and looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Your dad is the first black person I was ever friends with. Charlie made me understand that we are the same,’” says Bettina. “The first thing my dad did was get on an even playing field and make that human connection. Only after that can he actually start working together. That’s my dad’s legacy.”
Bush would use this method to join forces with higher-ranking USAFA members to create the Diversity Strategic Road Map, which is designed to take a sweeping approach in leveraging the spectrum of talent and perspectives of its members. This plan could only happen if the people in charge were willing to take the needed steps in pursuing actual change.
Family Matters
Bush’s lasting impact wasn’t just his work philosophy. Before any work accomplishment or diversity plan was achieved, his goal in life, first and foremost, was to be remembered as a great husband, father, and grandfather.
Bush’s family meant the world to him. In 1964, Bush married his childhood elementary sweetheart, Bettina. “My parents were best friends. They made decisions together, respected each other, and he loved her so well. He bought her flowers every Sunday. He really understood the fact that his greatness was a product of him being well-loved by a wonderful woman. He knew that she made him a better man,” says Bettina when asked about her parent’s relationship. During their almost 50 years of marriage, they raised a son, Charles, and two daughters, Kyra and Bettina.
“He was never a regular dad,” chuckled Bettina. “You could tell when he entered a room; he was always a little larger than life for everybody else. He just had that presence. He was so brilliant. He accomplished so much, but the thing he was most proud of was us. His family. I mean, an almost 50-year marriage and 3 kids are nothing to sneeze at!” Bush loved his work, but at the end of the day, he was a loving family man who gave his kids and grandkids an amazing example of what a real superhero looks like.
Legacy Matters
Charles V. Bush eventually passed away in 2012 from colon cancer, but his legacy truly remains alive and active. In 2016, almost four years after his passing, a library at the Carden Conejo School was dedicated in Bush’s honor. “We are so proud of it and that the kids on campus can experience it. That library is a beacon of light on the campus, and it is dedicated to diversity and for the love of reading, just like my dad,” Bettina says with a grin from ear to ear. “I think it’s an important thing to happen to Conejo because we don’t have a lot of places to celebrate diversity, so it’s nice to have this library for the kids!” It will be the fifth anniversary of the library’s dedication to Bush. So his love for diversity and reading lives on in the Conejo area for future generations to come.
Charles and I were at the Capitol Page School from 1954/6. I have looked for pages I liked on the internet but sadly, almost all are dead. I am 85. Being a Page was a wonderful experience. I am sorry I did not find him years ago but I suppose we have time to remember and relive our past after we retire and I see Charles died too young. I never had racist or religious bigotry feelings so I did not see Charles might suffer. For me, he was just another Page and a very nice and well mannered, serious student, school mate. My best to his family!