Civic leader discusses America’s covenant with black communities

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Blaine Griffin, director of the community relations board under the administration of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, says he will always be grateful for his upbringing on the South Side of Youngstown.

During a speech Sunday afternoon in honor of Black History Month, Griffin described seeing negative comments about Youngstown on Facebook. That negativity, Griffin said, does not mesh with his pride in the area.

“I keep that Youngstown swag everywhere I go,” Griffin said. “Because you’ve got to be tough, tenacious, resilient, smart survivors and we are spiritually, mentally and physically beautiful people.”

Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, located at 570 Sherwood Avenue, invited Griffin as a part of a weekly series recognizing February as Black History Month.

Griffin drew inspiration from author Tavis Smiley and spoke of a “covenant” between America and black communities. Abrahamic religions recognize covenants as sacred agreements.

He compared the experiences of black Americans to those of Mephibosheth, an Old Testament figure who struggled before finding refuge under King David.

The Woodrow Wilson High School graduate characterized his address as a “call to action.”

“We need to do more than just sing the Negro spiritual and say ‘we shall overcome,’ ’cause black folks still aren’t catching a break,” Griffin said.

He discussed racial inequality relating to policing, violence, education and public health.

Specifically, he noted that Youngstown has one of the highest black infant mortality rates in the nation. In Mahoning County, 19 out 1,000 black infants died before their first birthday as compared to seven out of 1,000 white infants, according to 2015 city health department data.

He urged the congregation to seek solutions through social, political and spiritual channels.

“Ladies and gentlemen, grace mandates that black lives do matter,” Griffin said.