Federal prosecutor Doug Jones receives Simeon Booker Award

Simeon Booker was a Youngstown native who was a pioneer in the journalism field for black reporters. Each year, the National Simeon Booker Award is given to someone who exemplifies justice and equality through their work.

As Ohio's Non-Violence Week continues, one man is being recognized for his historic efforts in fighting for peace and justice.

Former Alabama Senator Doug Jones has an impressive resume as a federal prosecutor. Jones prosecuted Thomas Blanton Jr. and Bobby Cherry, two members of the Ku Klux Klan, for their roles in the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Four young African American girls died.

"We're willing to step up for what we know is right," explained Penny Wells, Chairwoman of the Ohio Non-Violence Committee. "We're willing to not let the truth be hidden. These are two men that did this deed and let's acknowledge what happened and let them be brought to justice."

With the case reopening in the early 2000s, the prosecution, led by Jones, helped land Blanton & Cherry life sentences.

"It shows you to never give up," Jones said to 21 News. "It shows that truth and justice have no statute of limitations. It should go on and you should seek that truth and justice, no matter how long it takes."

"Truth is a cornerstone of our democracy," Jones said to the crowd after accepting his award.

Jones was also an adviser to President Joe Biden in replacing a Supreme Court Judge in 2022.

"What we did in investigating and prosecuting the men responsible for the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church and killing those four young girls, is we told the truth," Jones said to the crowd. "We had to dig for it, but we told the truth."

Jones compared similarities to himself and Simeon Booker, a pioneering journalist who told the true horrors of the civil rights movement.

"We need more Simeon Bookers," Jones said. "To stand up and tell the truth for equality, justice, and freedom."

"We had to pick someone who had the tenacity and someone willing to put their life on the line," Wells said. 

Valley community activist Victoria Allen was posthumously awarded the local Simeon Booker Award for Courage.

The Ohio Non-Violence Committee will host a "Speak Your Peace" Spoken Word Event for Students Grades 6-12 at the First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday at 6 p.m. A Lunch & Learn Event at the Jewish Community Center this Thursday at 12 p.m. and an Art & Poetry Reception will be held at the Public Library of Youngstown on Thursday at 5 p.m. The committee will host a 5-Day Read Panel at YWCA this Friday at 12 p.m.