Life Outside of School
I found Kathie Kemmerer online from a website called, “issuu.com.” She worked very closely with Louis before he died and wrote some of her information in an article. I wanted to know more to get as much information as possible when it came to Louis so I googled her. I found her on LinkedIn and sent her a message. After 2 days of no response I decided to dive deeper and I found her Facebook. We have been in touch ever since and we went out for lunch to have a conversation about Louis. There were things that I could not have learned because they were not in the archive or online. These were personal firsthand accounts and it helped my team figure out what was false information online and what was the truth.
THESIS
Louis Mitchell's life beyond the classroom shed light on the challenges of blindness and racial adversity, revealing a remarkable individual whose profound connections left an undeniable mark on the world.
“He was ridiculously amazing” (Kathie Kemmerer, 2023).
Louis Mitchell was among many things, but more than anything he was an amazing person. My privilege extended to interviewing Kathie Kemmerer, his assistant until his passing, providing insight into Mitchell's remarkable life, career, and personal connections. His journey was marked by unparalleled challenges, navigating the world as a blind African American. Yet, his resilience and extraordinary friendships left an unforgettable mark.
Louis' Personal Connections
https://digitalprojects.scranton.edu/s/rememberingblackness/item?Search=&property%5B0%5D%5Bproperty%5D=3&property%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=eq&property%5B0%5D%5Btext%5D=Mitchell,%20Louis%20D.,%201928-1989
Despite his blindness, Mitchell cultivated unforgettable connections, particularly with fellow visually impaired friends who would visit Scranton periodically. The scenes of Mitchell meeting them at the bus station, linking arms as they walked back to his apartment, are etched in memory. Mitchell lived on Clay Avenue at the University of Scranton
Mitchell's influence extended to Madrid during intersession and summers, where he enjoyed the company of friends. His friendship also extends to renowned African-American poet and author Gwendolyn Brooks. Brooks was a brilliant woman. In an article done by Kirkus Reviews, "She is the first black writer to win the Pulitzer Prize." She broke the glass ceiling. In a way, Mitchell also broke the glass ceiling and that is very inspiring. Mitchell's ability to forge meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds exemplifies his unique and special character.
The Mitchell Family
The roots of Louis's upbringing in New York contrasted with the majority of his relatives residing in North Carolina. Following Louis and his brother Loften's graduation and Louis's relocation to Pennsylvania, their lives became entwined until Louis's passing. Loften, renowned for his playwriting, also served as a creative writing/drama professor at Columbia University, adding a layer of sibling rivalry to their relationship. Despite occasional jealousy, their bond remained strong. A significant family reunion in North Carolina, where Louis meticulously documented the genealogy of his family tree, became a poignant chapter in his life. The stories he shared in his published works were a testament to the narratives passed down through generations, portraying Louis's deep connection to his extended family across the country.
Publishing Hardships
As we dive into Louis Mitchell's creative process and publication journey, we uncover the challenges he faced at the University of Scranton. Attempting to submit his writings to "The Month," a Jesuit magazine, was difficult due to the constraints of his typewriter and editing difficulties stemming from his blindness. Kathie Kemmerer, a graduate student at the time, played a pivotal role in meticulously editing his work. The first story she edited marked a turning point, getting published in the magazine and altering the course of Mitchell's literary legacy.
While Mitchell had access to a computer equipped with a VERT board, he opted for the familiarity of a typewriter when faced with the unfamiliar controls. Four decades later, Louis Mitchell's work continues to resonate, a testament to his impact on literature.