Bro. James E. Griffin

President W. Va. State Association

In 1963 Brother Griffin become a member of the Jr. Herd of Mt. State Lodge #117 in Clarksburg, WV. In 1965 he took the journey to become an adult member of Mt. State Lodge #117 where he served as recording secretary, Lecturing Knight, and on the house committee. Brother Griffin also severed as recording secretary, trustee, and Chief Antler of Steel Council #69. Before being elected to State President other positions Brother Griffin was elected and served was Second and First Vice President West Virginia State Association, and President Tri State Conference of Council Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia. Since being elected State President Brother Griffin has served as Chaplin of the National Presidents Council, and in 2019 was elected as a Grand Lodge Trustee.

Brother Griffin has also been very active in his community. The following are some of his activities in his community.

Brother Griffin experienced both sides of the civil rights movement. At the early age of 18, Brother Griffin served as President of the Harrison County NAACP. He was cited as the youngest branch President in the nation. He initiated and participated in the development of the Human Rights Commission in Clarksburg, North Central Community Action, and the Neighborhood Youth Core where he served on each one of their original board of directors.

Brother Griffin was instrumental in receiving the initial award funds provided to open the Opportunities Industrialization Center in Fairmont, West Virginia. Brother Griffin was granted a six-month paid leave of absence to participate in the procedural progress of the organization, which is still in successful operation. OIC is an organization that assist minorities and economically disadvantaged people in obtaining their GED and employment opportunities. In September of 2006 he was selected as citizen of the Month in Harrison County. In March of 2007 he was selected as citizen of the year and in February 2008 he along with Tony Brown of Tony Brown’s Journal was honored by the Governor of West Virginia for their contribution toward civil rights in West Virginia. In April of 2018 Brother Griffin was awarded the FBI Director’s community leadership award in Washington D.C. The award was one of fifty-three awarded in the nation.

Brother Griffin is a past member of the Harrison County United Way ,Chairman of the Board of Directors Pierpont Community& Technical College, and Fairmont State University, Board of Directors of the Empower through Employment (Sheltered Workshop), and the United Hospital. He presently Chairman of the Board of Directors West Virginia Black Heritage Festival, Board member of Your Community Foundation of North Central WV, President of North Central West Virginia Transit Authority Board of Directors, and the Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors.

Mr. Griffin retired in 2006 from the UCAR Corporation former Union Carbide where he was employed for 40 years. In 1972, Brother Griffin was the first African American promoted to management, where he worked diligently to promote diversity within the organization.

Brother Griffin is a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he served over twenty years as Trustee and Sunday school teacher. Brother Griffin married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Elder and they are the proud parents of one son, retired Sergeant Edward David of Waynesville, MO. They are the proud grandparents of Matthew, DeShawn, Elijah and Destiny, and great grandparents of Kaden and Riley.

Brother Griffin thanks God for allowing him to be a vessel to do His will. He credits his mother, who let him know at an early age, that there is a power greater than himself who loves him exactly as he is. Keeping his mother’s advice in mind, he has spent all of his life realizing the key to life is to be honest with yourself, and others at all times; keep your thoughts focused on the best possible outcome for everyone involved, and never allow yourself to be pushed where you don’t choose to be.