DR. ELLA FAYE ROBINSON - SLOAN

A Life Well Lived

Dr. Ella Faye Robinson-Sloan was born to Ella M. Robinson and Fay Robinson, Jr. in Hillsboro, Texas on July 28, 1947. On that day the community in which she lived, and other communities she would inhabit would forever be changed by her presence, dedication to make positive change and forward movement. The eldest of seven siblings, Ella Faye received her primary and secondary educational foundation at the Peabody School, the one building school that serviced grades one thru twelve. It was here she thrived under the love and direction of teachers who nurtured and valued her presence and potential. She participated in the marching band (playing both the regular and bass clarinet), and other extracurricular activities in and outside of the school community. Her spiritual foundation was also firmly rooted in the community as she attended the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church from a very early age. She was involved in not only weekly church services, but all other aspects of church life. It was here that she learned about the power and love of God that would continue to keep her grounded throughout her lifetime. As she grew up in Hillsboro, Texas, she thrived under Jim Crow Laws, picking cotton, and facing racial discrimination. She knew early on that her life could not, and would not be defined by her current conditions. Ella Faye knew that the only way to have a better life not only for herself, but for her family and community, was through the pursuit of education. She leaned into her passion of doing hair. As she practiced on her regular family and community members, and regular customers, she set her eyes on enrolling in a beauty college in San Diego, California upon high school graduation, where two of her aunts lived. And so she did. Once relocated in San Diego, CA, Ella found her spiritual home at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and continued to be an active member for over 55 plus years. It was here that she became immediately involved in the Women’s Mission Auxiliary, and worked to strengthen the vision of mission work not only at her church, but city and statewide. She held many offices, and always sought to uplift the spirits of women everywhere, through self-care, education and spiritual growth. She used that same energy to empower, encourage and guide the youth of the church, and also involved them in local and statewide activities. Her childhood neighbor, best friend, and high school sweetheart Winston L. Sloan had similar plans for a pursuit of education as well, and had already relocated to San Diego, California (where his older brother resided). After high school graduation, he joined the United States Navy. They both returned to their hometown of Hillsboro, Texas and were married on October 30, 1965 amongst family and community members. From this union two children were born, a daughter, Rhonda Renee’ Sloan and a son, Rodney Dwayne Sloan. It is within this family unit that the same vision was manifested; a love for God, Black History, education and a commitment to community service, all non-negotiable! Ella became a licensed cosmetologist in the city of San Diego, and worked at several beauty salons. While building her clientele and lasting relationships, she continued to lean into her vision of one day owning a salon. And she did. The Elegant Lady Salon of Beauty became a pillar of the Black community with its first location on Akins Ave. in the Encanto area. The salon would later be relocated to Euclid Ave. and 54th Street. She became a member of the African American Hairdresser’s Association, involving herself in uplifting her community through advocacy and service. Anyone who knew Ella Faye, also knew that she kept a thirst for knowledge, continued training, and higher education burning and deeply flowing within her veins. She believed that one could be anything they wanted to be, that there were no limits! With a vision, a plan and a constant honoring of one’s ancestors and those who paved the way for her success, nothing was impossible. She believed she was responsible for uplifting and celebrating the successes of others while moving forward in her own pursuits. And she did. While being a business owner, and raising a family, she enrolled in college right alongside her husband and school age children. She received and Associates Degree from Grossmont College (photography and business), a Bachelor’s Degree from San Diego State University (Africana Studies), and a Master’s Degree from San Diego State University (counseling). Every aspect of her educational background was used in service to her family, customers, church family, and the community as a whole. She wanted to be a visible working role model. She wanted to be an example of A Life Well Lived what was possible! She wanted to lead by doing, and she did. At each level of success, she always encouraged and advocated for others, even if she had to stand alone. Upon selling her salon in the late 80’s, Ella Faye began a new chapter in her life of becoming a faculty member of the San Diego Community College. She would split her time between the Cosmetology and Rehabilitation Counseling Departments as an instructor, and as a counselor with a focus on assisting students with creating life-long visions of their own, and taking action steps through vocational training, and creating pathways for success. Each step of the way she held all students to high expectations, and they thrived at their own pace, but reached their goals. She later decided to focus all of her attention in the Cosmetology Department, and became Department Chair and also under her tenure created a Teacher Training Program that would prove to be a success, and would ultimately result in the hiring of a more diverse faculty who received contracts along with others receiving adjunct assignments. She always wanted to share her continued training with others as a civic and moral obligation that was homage to those who paved the way for her own successes. As if her life was not active enough with traveling, working full time, community service, and raising a family, she continued to take action to broaden her vision by enrolling in the University of San Diego to pursue her Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership, with an emphasis on Transformational Leadership. She immersed herself in the work of W. E. B. Dubois’s “Talented Tenth.” She not only traveled to Africa several times for pleasure, but also for research on W.E B. Dubois, which proved to be inspiring for her. She became Dr. Ella Faye Robinson-Sloan in 2003, and would later turn her dissertation into a book titled, W.E.B. Dubois’s “Talented Tenth”: A Pioneering Conception of Transformational Leadership. Throughout every area of her life, she served. As she pursued career and educational goals, she made it a priority to keep her pulse on the community in which she lived, and was actively engaged in several organizations. She helped charter the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Delta Upsilon Chapter here in San Diego in 1983. This is an organization comprised of African American Female Educators of all levels which focuses on sisterhood, professional development and the most important component of the organization, the mentoring of high school youth grades 9-12. She held a variety of offices, and was also the Regional Director for the Far Western Region. She Co-founded the Young Scholars Program, which was a community group of youth grades 5-8 who were engaged in various activities and workshops that nurtured their civic connections, cultural identities, and educational pursuits. She served as a member and officer of the local N.A.A.C.P. chapter and was also involved in their youth component, as well as a board member, and officer of the George Steven’s Senior Center for several years. Dr. Ella Faye Sloan made time to be present and engaged in her church, work space, family (especially the jewels of her heart, Kania, Kaelin and Kiara, her loving grandchildren) and her community all of her life. She was a mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend, confidant and advocate. She gave of herself tirelessly, and worked through every challenge and obstacle with the vibrancy of always being triumphant. Even after suffering a stroke in 2017, upon her recovery, she still wanted move forward with having her book signing, and she did. The community in which she loved, rallied behind her and made this goal a reality for her. During her last months, she desired to do more, to give more, and she has. She has left a blueprint and legacy for each of us to continue forward movement as individuals and as a collective. Ella is preceded in death by her grandfather, Fay “Poppa Jack” Robinson, Sr., grandmother, Ella Robinson, father, Fay Robinson, Jr., and mother Ella M. Hale. She leaves to carry forward her legacy and cherished memories, her loving husband of 56 years, Winston L. Sloan, her daughters, Rhonda Sloan and Debbie Foster (Michael) and her sons Rodney Sloan (Rexie), and Myron Bell (Candis), all of California; cherished grandchildren, Kania Batiste, Kaelin and Kiara Sloan; stepmother Charlie Mae Robinson; siblings, Maryann Kennard, Barbara Garrett(Charles), Regina Parker, Cheryl Peyton (Jerry), Johnny Hale (Marilyn), Oliver Fennell, and Michael Simmons (Pam), all of Texas. She also leaves to cherish her memories a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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