Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott recognized during Black History Month celebration
February 7, 2017
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott was honored during a Black History Month “charity ride” and celebration at Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson in Elgin, S.C., during which Lott was presented the Outstanding Community Service award by Building Better Communities (BBC), Sat., Feb. 4.
The charity ride organized by BBC brought together dozens of Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders, owners and enthusiasts from several local bike clubs.
Perry Bradley of BBC praised Sheriff Lott for “his tireless commitment in building bridges between law enforcement and the community.”
Bradley added, “This bridge-building is critical to truly great relationships going forward. It’s why we do what we do.”
Lott agrees.
“While it is extremely important to honor all African-American men and women of the past, it is equally important to recognize African-Americans and others making a difference today in our communities: Friends and Bridge-builders themselves like Perry, also Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, and Thunder Tower General Manager Chris Preston,” said Lott.
Benjamin and Preston were also recognized for their service to Midlands-area communities at the event, as were area motorcycle clubs, including the Buffalo Soldiers, The Philadelphia Travelers, and the Soldiers United all of which support of youth programs in the Midlands.
Black History Month (also known as African-American History Month in the U.S.) recognizes the great achievements of African-American people in both American and world history. Black History Month is an annual observance in Feb. in the U.S. and Canada, and is celebrated each Oct. in the UK. This year’s charity ride is the first celebration of which organizers hope will become an annual event.
[Pictured L-R are Sheriff Leon Lott, Mr. Perry Bradley, and Mayor Steve Benjamin]
– For more information, please visit http://www.rcsd.net/.
