Francois Clemmons

This performance costume belonged to Francois Clemmons (1945) and was worn when he played the role of Officer Clemmons on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Clemmons was born in Birmingham, Alabama and moved to Ohio with his parents when he was 5. He went to Oberlin College and got his Bachelor of Music degree and Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh to attain his Master of Fine arts in music. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts by Middlebury College in 1996. His musical talent enabled him to win the regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions in Pittsburgh in 1968. After this he progressed to Cleveland, Ohio where he secured a position in the Metropolitan Opera Studio. He spent seven seasons there and performed for numerous companies during these seasons. He also performed with other orchestras throughout his musical career. He also founded and directs the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble whose aim is to preserve, sustain and commission American Negro Spirituals for the future. Clemmons’ tv persona is perhaps more well-known from his role as Officer Clemmons on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for over 25 years. He was the first black person to get a recurring role on a children’s tv show. His role as a police officer on the show whenever he donned this costume gave him a platform to positively represent and break the negative stereotypes surrounding black people. It also allowed him to be a positive role model for black children who were not used to seeing such positive representations of black men or women on television.

Minnich, Gloria. “TV, Recitals Fill in Stifled Operatic Career.” The Piqua Daily Call, Newspapers.com. p.4. 7 June 1975.

“Francois Clemmons.” Faculty & Staff, Middlebury College. Last accessed 7/9/2018. http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/music/faculty/node/43681