Chivalry alive in Knights

An organization that began because of racism and discrimination has survived and thrived for nearly three decades.
Yet many in our community know little about the positive efforts being put forth by the Black Knights Police Association.
Black Knights President Rodney Lewis, a patrolman with the Youngstown Police Department, and Officer Helen R. Scott, secretary, explained the organization's history and its community efforts, a large part of which are devoted to the area's youth and senior citizens.
Setting the goalsfor the Black Knights
Twelve black policemen banded together in 1975 to establish the nonprofit organization. They set forth these goals:
UTo bring about reform in the Youngstown Police Department in order to prevent police corruption, racial discrimination and brutality.
UTo be the main mechanism in recruiting local minorities as police officers.
UTo improve the relationship between the black community and black police officers.
UTo weigh the effects of programs and policies of the criminal justice system on the black community.
UTo conduct an active campaign to improve the social and physical welfare of youth in the black community.
The 12 charter members were Lewis, Louis Averhart Sr., Leonard Williams Sr., Dave Truman, Sam Dubose, Robert Bush (now city police chief), Richard Carey, Clarence "Juice" Greene, Franklin "Buddy" Taylor, William "Butch" Johnson, Ted Gillison and Ernest "Butch" Paul. Williams served as the Black Knights' first president.
It was the BKPA that successfully sued the city to have more blacks promoted as administrators.
Rough beginnings,stalwart persistence
Lewis, who has been a police officer 32 years, said when the organization started, he and fellow members got flak from white officers and police brass.
"We got bad shifts, bad cars and were reprimanded for every little thing," Lewis said.
The organization persisted, however, and grew in number; total membership is 81, including honorary members and police officers from other Mahoning and Trumbull County law enforcement departments.
It is the organization's community efforts that Lewis and Scott wanted to bring to light.
The BKPA participates in food giveaways and distributions, passes out candy and other goodies to children during Halloween, collects and distributes clothing to the needy, and provides security to churches and other community organizations having special events that can't afford to pay a security officer, said Scott, a 15-year police officer.
Lewis said the organization gets 25 to 30 calls a year for help.
He said the Black Knights often receive donated furniture and appliances, and he uses his truck to pick them up. Members then help unload the items and distribute them to the needy. Members also mow grass for the elderly.
Turning attentionto the Valley's youths
The organization also has two events geared toward youths.
Scott is in charge of "Esteem Night" for girls at least 9 years old. Speakers come in from various professions and instruct the girls on topics such as personal hygiene, how to apply for jobs and how to build positive self-esteem. This is an overnight affair, which is held at the Black Knights headquarters, 1524 Oakland Ave., near Superior Street.
Lewis works with the boys in the same age category in a program called "Knights in Training." Members take boys on fishing trips, teach them how to play old-school games such as shooting marbles, spend time mentoring them and also provide speakers to help the boys build character.
Barbara Copeland is the association's security coordinator and also will serve as chairwoman of the organization's 30th anniversary banquet next year. She and Scott are working to coordinate the Knight's second annual blanket, coat, hat and glove giveaway later this month.
The organization is asking for community donations of new or used blankets, hats, gloves and scarfs, and canned goods and/or monetary gifts.
They will pass out the items at their headquarters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 18. Donations are being accepted now through Dec. 17. Members will pick up items if you can't bring them to their headquarters. You can call the Black Knights office at (330) 743-9100; Lewis at (330) 519-4439; or Scott at (330) 550-3041. WGFT also will broadcast live the day of the giveaway.
The Black Knights deserve their own "shout out" for doing a little good in the neighborhood for nearly 30 years.
ebrown@vindy.com