Emerging Voice: Milton on Black Economic Empowerment, Police
gvw_david_taub
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
June 4, 2020

Share

In front of 3,000 protesters at Fresno police headquarters, Chris Milton delivered a strong message on the path from poverty to empowerment.

“Start buying stock, start putting money towards real estate, start doing stuff like that, then that’s when we can start owning our communities. When you own your community, you can police it. You don’t need the police to come in and control you.” — businessman Chris Milton

“Build your equity! Your equity. Your equity. That’s the thing that cannot be taken from you,” Milton said during Sunday’s protest over inequality and policing practices following the death of George Floyd.

To make sure that a debunked threat of a riot at River Park never came to pass, Milton also recruited volunteers to protect businesses and shoppers there Tuesday.

Milton continues to spread his message: The best way to prevent problems between the black community and police is to own your own businesses and homes and you’ll police them yourself.

Own Your Own

For Milton, equity expands beyond just ownership.

“When we start talking about personal equity, those are the things that you build on top of — where you build your resume, put the notches in your belt. Whether it’s through education, experience, making a footprint, or expanding your reach, building your equity. That’s the whole purpose of what I was trying to convey,” Milton said.

To achieve those goals requires strategic strategies, Milton said.

For example, Milton said instead of lining the block to buy a pair of $200 Air Jordans, pool the money with friends to invest.

“Start buying stock, start putting money towards real estate, start doing stuff like that, then that’s when we can start owning our communities. When you own your community, you can police it. You don’t need the police to come in and control you,” Milton said.

Creating Opportunity

A lack of opportunity is the biggest impediment to advancing economically for the black community, Milton said.

Historic redlining — the practice of restricting where communities of color can live — still exists, he said.

During his speech Sunday, Milton said that those who run gangs have management potential. They just need to use their skills for good.

I believe that there is an invisible red line that is still segregating the blacks to the west side of Highway 99,” Milton said. “I think as long as that they’re over there, nobody really cares. We’re going to put just enough money over there to keep (people) quiet.”

Milton is still trying to find the best way to teach those principles to the black youth of Fresno. He formed an informal group with his friends that include other businessmen and local politicians.

“I think now is truly time to step up, be even more so vocal and again, do some things different,” Milton said.

During his speech Sunday, Milton said that those who run gangs have management potential. They just need to use their skills for good.

What Milton Told His Sons About the Police

As his Twitter handle @fatherofballers suggests, Milton’s two sons are football players. Ka’lonn played defensive back for Fresno State and Fort Lewis College. Kendall was a highly touted recruit out of Buchanan High School. He is entering his freshman season as a running back for the powerhouse Georgia program.

Growing up, Milton told his sons what to do if interacting with police.

“It is sad and unfortunate. It breaks my heart. But I tell my kids that if you get pulled over from a police officer, as soon as the lights come on, first and foremost, call me. …

“Second, when you pull the car over, take the keys out, and set them on the dashboard. Put your hands on the steering wheel. When law enforcement asks for your driver’s license and registration, you tell them, ‘my license is in my glove box or is in my pocket. Do you want to get it or do you want me to get it?’

“I teach my kids to walk them through exactly what you’re doing because you don’t want to give them a reason, a justification to say ‘I thought he was reaching for something,’ ” Milton said.

Chris Milton, right, with his wife Carla (far left) and sons Kendall and Ka’lonn. (Twitter/Chris Milton)

A Better Relationship with Police

“It burns you up. If you don’t know how to navigate those feelings, you can easily pop off.” — Chris Milton

Milton said he’s had some bad experience with police.

“I hate to use the word helpless because I don’t want to sound vulnerable, but (I feel) helpless because the fact is, you don’t have power,” Milton said. “At the end of the day, it’s your word against someone else’s.

“It burns you up. If you don’t know how to navigate those feelings, you can easily pop off.”

His solution is sensitivity training for police, to understand how different cultures react and behave.

“When you interact with black folks — you see me, I talk with my hands. I’m passionate about what I’m passionate about. I raise my voice. I might get animated. From the outside looking in, if you don’t understand, that looks aggressive,” Milton said.

“When you don’t understand that, the situation immediately heightens. Because they take that as a threat rather than ‘I really just want to talk. You let me get this out. Yeah, we’re good,’ ” Milton said.

Chris Milton with Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall protecting River Park on June 2, 2020. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Fix the Schools

College isn’t for everyone, Milton said. That’s why he advocates for career technical education in school.

“We need to start introducing technical skills to these kids. Trade skills to show you can make $100,000 a year without going to college because of what’s inside of your head and how you use hands,” Milton said. “We don’t create those opportunities. We don’t give exposure. That’s one thing that has to change.”

Milton wants more school credit for things like shop class.

“We’re so busy worried about dress code. We’re so busy worried about if the kids are showing tattoos or if the kids have earrings in their ear. Then, you know what? If you’re going to worry about that, then let’s also worry about building them up,” Milton said.

Family and Business

Milton grew up in Oakland and Fairfield. He moved his family to Fresno in 2004.

“It was a good move for the kids just because the Bay Area is a lot faster than here. Also, this is more of a family structure, a little closer community where you can actually enjoy life and have a good work-life balance,” Milton said.

“Dr. King spoke about it in the 1960s when he was in the Birmingham jail and he was talking about the moderate white who remained silent during this time. And they are complicit because they don’t stop the problem. (Now) people are speaking up. And I thank them for that. I thank them for that.” — Chris Milton

Today, Milton runs a local business that he requested to not be identified.

Despite his business success, Milton regretted not finishing college. Recently, he rectified that, completing his college education with a business degree from the University of Phoenix.

“I got to this point of where I am through hustle, through having the right people around me, through people giving me the opportunity to prove myself and then capitalizing on that,” Milton said.

Milton Hopeful

The crowd at Sunday’s protest and the reception he’s received on social media has given Milton hope for a better future.

“Dr. King spoke about it in the 1960s when he was in the Birmingham jail and he was talking about the moderate white who remained silent during this time. And they are complicit because they don’t stop the problem. (Now) people are speaking up. And I thank them for that. I thank them for that.”

DON'T MISS

FresYes Fest Is Saturday: This Immigrant Is Living the American Dream With Xtreme Shawarma

DON'T MISS

Will FUSD Trustees Look First Only at Internal Candidates in Superintendent Search?

DON'T MISS

Bredefeld, Chavez Win Attorneys Fees from Fresno County. Court Gives Chavez Blvd. a Green Light.

DON'T MISS

Special Congressional Election Tuesday. How Many Have Voted Already?

DON'T MISS

Brothers Say They Found Amelia Earhart’s Plane, Will Donate It to Smithsonian

DON'T MISS

News Minute: Amelia Earhart’s Lost Plane, McIlroy’s Wild 65, Fresno Eclipse Chasers

DON'T MISS

These Fresno Eclipse Chasers Are Hoping For 4 Minutes of Darkened Bliss in Texas

DON'T MISS

Hutson Is Done as Fresno State Basketball Coach After Tournament Loss

DON'T MISS

New Challenge to SW Fresno Industrial Project: SoCal Enviro Group Sues City, Developer

DON'T MISS

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

No data was found
David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

The 49ers Have Been Docked a 2025 Fifth-Round Draft Pick for an Accounting Error

10 hours ago

Fresno Bank Sued. It Allegedly Helped Bitwise Commit Fraud.

Bitwise /

10 hours ago

How California’s Prized Solution for Methane Gas Is Backfiring on Farmers

Environment /

12 hours ago

Supreme Court Seems Favorable to Biden Administration Over Efforts to Combat Social Media Posts

13 hours ago

Putin Extends Rule in Preordained Russian Election After Harshest Crackdown Since Soviet Era

13 hours ago

Ohtani to Begin Throwing Program Soon. Roberts Hints Dodgers Star Might Play in the Field

13 hours ago

Trump: Some Migrants Are ‘Not People’, There’ll Be a ‘Bloodbath’ if I Lose

13 hours ago

Tech Lawyer and Philanthropist Nicole Shanahan Rumored as RFK Jr.’s VP Pick

News /

14 hours ago

March Madness is Here. UConn, Purdue, Houston and North Carolina Get Top Seeding in NCAA Tournament

14 hours ago

Crafts Retailer Joann Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy as Consumers Cut Back on Pandemic-Era Hobbies

15 hours ago

Records Show That Valley Children’s Leader Suntrapak’s Pay Exceeds $5 Million

â– Valley Children’s paid CEO Todd Suntrapak $5.2 million in 2021. The hospital also gave him a $5 million forgivable home loan. â– The Va...
Healthcare /

9 hours ago

4 days ago

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

4 days ago

Prosecutor Leaves Georgia Election Case Against Trump After Relationship With District Attorney

4 days ago

Rory McIlroy’s 65: 10 Birdies, 2 Tee Shots in the Water, 1 Testy Dispute

4 days ago

Aaron Donald Announces His Retirement After a Standout 10-Year Career With the Rams

4 days ago

New Book Explores the Myths, Truths and Legacy of the Macho Man

4 days ago

Baseball Superstar Ohtani and His Wife Arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB Opener

4 days ago

India’s New Citizenship Law Excludes Muslims. Here’s What to Know

4 days ago

US, G-7 Allies Warn Iran to Back Off Deal to Provide Russia Ballistic Missiles or Face New Sanctions

Photo of San Francisco 49ers' Arik Armstead

4 days ago

Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead Agrees to a 3-Year, $51 Million Deal with the Jaguars, AP Source Says

4 days ago

Supreme Court Rules Public Officials Can Sometimes Be Sued for Blocking Critics on Social Media

Search