ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Retired Chief Judge Walter Braud is a giant even among Quad City legends, blazing a trail in the area's justice system. Now, his new memoir outlines his life and the family member who he credits with his ever-present joy.
'Bessie's Prayer: I Am Walter, Bessie's Son' is now for sale with softcover, E-book and audiobook versions available on Amazon.
It follows Braud's story, growing up on the South Side of Chicago, where he worked as a taxi driver, postal worker, train switch operator and even a doo-wop singer.
Braud's family had high expectations for him to pursue opera singing, hoping the child prodigy would become the first Black opera tenor to perform in Carnegie Hall. But at the age of 13, his voice could no longer hit the highest notes, forcing Braud to change plans.
That's when he says his mother pushed him into teaching. Braud eventually became a public-school teacher before finding his way into the justice system.
Braud would become the first Black prosecutor in Rock Island, where he then served as a criminal defense and civil rights trial attorney for 27 years. In 2001, he became the first Black Circuit Judge in Western Illinois. In 2014, he became the Chief Justice of the 14th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, only the second Black Chief Judge in Illinois history. Walter resides in Rock Island with his wife of 62 years, Gertrude.
'Bessie's Prayer' is a triumphant and joyful look at a family's faith, love and adventure. While Braud will be the first to say he fell short many times, he says he always followed his mother's guidance, to give it his best shot every day.
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