Over the last 10 years I have advocated that you and I support the Kingsley Association; a number of people have asked me why so this week I will provide you with an answer.
At the corner of East liberty Boulevard, Frankstown Avenue and Paulson Avenue in the early 1970’s there were a number of vacant and decaying buildings. The city of Pittsburgh eventually hired demolition companies to clear the site. In the middle 1970s the Kingsley House, which was located in the Larimer section, was closing down. Two Black men with vision, Judge Edward Tibbs and 12th ward chairman Dock Fielder, were compelled to contemplate the building of a brand new community center on the vacant site. They eventually recruited then Pa. State Rep. Joseph Preston and current director of Kingsley, Malik Bankston to join forces to build a modern facility on the vacant site. The site remained vacant for 20 years as roadblock after roadblock surfaced, but in the year of 2002 under the leadership of Malik Bankston a ground breaking of a $9 million facility took place.
Malik was demanding and innovative; under his guidance a local Black contractor was awarded the contract and at that time it was largest contract ever awarded to a Black corporation in the state of Pennsylvania. Malik also demanded that every Black sub contractor would be provided with an opportunity to share in the building of the new Kingsley Association. He also has sacrificed his money, time and effort to provide our children with an opportunity to travel on the Black College Tour for more than 20 years.
In 2004 the magnificent building was completed and if you have not visited the complex you should. Twenty of us Black men and women came together and wanted to do something to help Kingsley that Blacks generally fail to do and that was to raise money. We set a goal of raising $100,000 from the community and we excluded foundations and other potential donators who lived outside our communities. A well-meaning White businessperson sent me a letter and a check for $2,000 and a note that read, “I am disappointed that your group is not accepting money from well meaning White people.” Our response was thanks for the check it will be given directly to Kingsley, but we are determined to raise $100,000 solely from the community with no exceptions. We received letters from all over the country that asked how were we able to convince the Black community to contribute $100,000? We responded by stating there was a misunderstanding, we had not raised the money, and we were attempting to raise it.
If my memory serves me well we stayed together long enough to raise $45,000 and then we broke up but I am convinced that the community can raise the balance so every week I ask the readers to send a financial donation. Do you recall the saying “the Lord helps those who help themselves?”
The Kingsley Association has four major programs 1. Family services 2. Health & wellness 3. Community training and sustainability 4. Education and under these four programs are a multitude of other services too lengthy to name.
Please send a financial donation to the Kingsley Association.
(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly contributor to the Forum Page.)
