Since retiring 11 years ago from a management position at Union Carbide, Bridgeport’s Jim Griffin has delved deep into community service. His efforts have been recognized before, but Thursday he received an award which has special implications. At a ceremony held at Pierpont Community & Technical College – Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center in Bridgeport, Griffin received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

 

“To be recognized by an organization such as the FBI for your efforts in your community is quite an honor,” Griffin said.

 

The award was presented by Douglas E. Lindquist, assistant director, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. It is given annually to an individual or organization that has gone above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities.

“I don’t know what caught their eye, but I’ve been involved in the community in a lot of things,” Griffin said. “I belong to the FBI Citizens Academy; one of the first they held. When the FBI was initially moving down here from DC, I worked helping to place people here.”

 

Griffin has also been active with the United Way of Harrison County, United Hospital Center and the YMCA of Harrison County. He serves as the state president of the Improved Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks, has served as chair of the Board of Governors of Pierpont Community & Technical College and is on the board of Your Community Foundation. For the past 25 years, he has chaired and worked diligently in promoting and hosting the Black Heritage Festival, which not only entertains and educates by celebrating African American heritage, but also gives back to the community by providing college scholarships and supporting community revitalization efforts.

 

Currently, Griffin works with the M.O.R.E. (Monticello Ongoing Revitalization Effort) Project. The community-led revitalization project encourages residents to dream bigger for the neighborhood and their own lives, while contributing to the reduction of drug-related activity.

 

“The M.O.R.E. project is about revitalizing part of downtown Clarksburg, stretching from Second Street and Washington Avenue and Clay Street – making improvements to that part of the community,” he said. “Part of that is the building that the Harrison County Board of Education gave us – the former Kelly Miller (High School) Building (on E.B. Saunders Way). We’re trying to turn it into a community center where there would be after-school programs and mentoring and even some health programs. We’re also working to try to get the gymnasium back. There used to be a gym there years ago and the BOE converted it into a storage room.”

 

Griffin was instrumental in securing the donation of the historic Kelly Miller Building.

 

He has been passionate about community service since he was a young boy serving through his church. He subsequently helped reactivate the Harrison County Chapter of the NAACP, serving as president for 15 years. He has also worked with the Clarksburg Human Rights Commission and helped fight unfair housing and employment practices, helping to diversity local communities.

 

Much of Griffin’s work on community endeavors started while he was employed at Union Carbide, but since retiring, he has had more time to devote to such projects.

 

“The bible says ‘Much will be expected from the one who has been given much’ and I feel like I’ve been blessed by so many people helping me along the way,” he said. “This is my opportunity to reach back into the community and try to help someone else.”

 

Griffin also referenced former President John F. Kennedy’s words: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

 

He couldn’t feel stronger about those words and will do his best to serve his community and country as long as he can. He hopes others will be inspired to do the same.

 

Since 1990, the FBI has recognized achievements of individuals or organizations through the Director’s Community Leadership Award. It recognizes community leaders from 58 offices throughout the country.

 

At Thursday’s ceremony, Griffin was accompanied by family members, including his wife Joyce.

 

“I’m just really honored to be chosen for this award and I just hope someone else sees something I might do - that it might motivate them,” he said.

 

Griffin will also be honored in Washington, DC, where he will receive an award from the Director of the FBI. That presentation is scheduled for April.