As I scrolled through Facebook recently, I saw a post on James E. Griffin by Pierpont Community & Technical College celebrating Black History Month. When I clicked on it, it took me to a social media post that appeared to be a breakdown on Griffin’s achievements and his past.

 

I was curious to read it. For one, Griffin is a friend of mine. Second, I don’t know if there’s a finer human I’ve ever encountered. In fact, he’s one of the few people who humbled me and made me do a bit of soul searching for an incident I’m sure he has no idea I witnessed.

 

We’ll get back to that shortly.

 

For those knowing the Bridgeport resident with his roots going back to Clarksburg, there’s a lot that won’t catch you off guard if you read the posting on Facebook. Those closest know his professional career ended not too long ago as a manager at Union Carbide where he actually got his start in 1966.

 

Since then, and even during that time, he’s had his foot on the gas of a vehicle that’s direction is aimed at goodness and volunteerism. Again, those close to him know of his involvement.

 

Griffin is the chairman of the board of directors for the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival in Clarksburg. Griffin makes time to serve on the boards of United Hospital Center, the YMCA, and Your Community Foundation. Griffin also was chairman of the Board of Governors of Pierpont Community & Technical College, as well as Fairmont State University, where he attended college.

 

This isn’t a new trend. In fact, it goes back to his youth. It was in the post where it talked about his younger days where I read some things I didn’t know. I’m not surprised about what I read, yet it’s not something I was privy to and it saddened me.

 

When going over the story I realized James Griffin could walk around with a justifiable chip on his shoulder. As I read the piece, I learned about even as a teen he was a leader in church and school and, at the age of 18, reactivated the Harrison County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served as the president for 15 years.

 

That’s not what saddened me. That’s not what made wonder why Griffin didn’t arm himself with a public grudge.

 

What bothered me was to learn while in school, he could only stock and bag groceries at his place of employment because of the color of his skin. He remembers, the article stated, “not being able to sit down in restaurants and instead of having to buy his food and take it home to eat it.” I’m not naïve enough or too far removed from history to not be aware that what happened to Griffin didn’t happen to everyone, it just hits home when you are hit in the face with it.

 

I’m certain my friend was subject to much more I not only will never know about and even if I did I couldn’t fully comprehend. All I know is that I felt for him and yet, at the same time, went back to something I witnessed that showed me James E. Griffin is someone who would never have to serve on a board to make a difference.

 

He did it for me without even knowing I was there.

 

Several years ago on my way home from work I stopped at the Clarksburg Kroger to get a few items. The express line was backed up well into the aisle and not moving. Eventually, I looked toward the front of the line to see a woman with a child trying to find enough money to pay for the items she had.

 

The process drug out for several minutes and I eventually noticed her trying to get a few items taken off to lower her bill. The woman seemed a bit out of it, but all I could think of was that she was holding me up. Myself and more than one customer did nothing but look at one another and roll our eyes.

 

Eventually, I heard someone speak very clearly and say “excuse me.” My initial reaction was it was about time someone said something.

 

What was said, wasn’t what I was expecting. What was said was what I needed to hear coming from the mouth of my friend. And it proved everything I ever suspected about James E. Griffin being one of the finest men I had ever had the pleasure of knowing.

 

I’m not sure if he was in line or just happened to wander in and see the situation, but Griffin simply stepped up and asked what was wrong. The mother tried to explain and Griffin calmed her gently with his hand on her back.

 

Although not talking loud, Griffin told the cashier to put the other items back on the bill. He looked at the young lady and told her with a polite and gentle smile to “not worry. I’ll take care of this.”

 

In a second, Griffin paid the bill and received gratitude from the woman who walked away with tears in her eyes and perhaps a combination of embarrassment and thankfulness for the situation. I put my head down and it was out of embarrassment as Griffin simply walked away.

 

Instead of yelling my friend’s name out to talk as I usually would do, I was ashamed. I didn’t want him to know I was in line and complaining about waiting. I was only worried about myself, as were probably a dozen others, who could have easily picked up the tab.

 

I could have. I didn’t.

 

It didn’t matter this woman was a total stranger. It only mattered she needed help and Jim Griffin had the resources to help her. He did.

 

I’m assuming it wasn’t the first time it’s happened. I’m also assuming my friend may not even remember it, but I certainly do. And although not the same scenario, it’s shaped more than one decision I’ve made when I’ve encountered a situation with similar circumstances. Because of Jim Griffin, I’ve done the right thing ever since.

 

I’m writing this because I saw that post on Griffin for Black History Month. It goes without saying it’s warranted.

 

James E. Griffin, however, should be celebrated every month. He is what every person should strive to be as we carve out our life’s script. My friend, in every way, is good from the soul out and for those who never have had the honor of meeting the man, I just thought you should know something about him that makes him one special human being.

 

Enjoy this day, this month, this year and all years ahead. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows James Griffin addressing the Bridgeport City Council, while he's shown receiving the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award in Washington, D.C., last year from Director Christopher Wray. At the bottom, Griffin is shown in Marion County.