May 1, 2015 3 min read

The Rev. Harold Knappenberger Jr. joked, as a minister, he was required to make some points during his acceptance speech Friday at the 55th Annual Human Rights Award Banquet, where the NAACP Washington branch presented him with the Human Rights Award at the DoubleTree Hotel in North Strabane Township.

With humor and humility, Knappenberger, who served as a pastor for 67 years and traveled extensively for missionary and peacekeeping purposes, talked about the importance of service.

First, said Knappenberger, is to say yes to “some particular need that needs to be done.”

Next, follow through with the commitment.

“The third point, and this is a tough one,” said Knappenberger, “but don’t be too concerned about who gets the credit. So many times, I think we fail to realize our potential because we don’t want to get involved with someone else.”

Knappenberger, 90, retired from John Wesley United Methodist Church in 2013, and served as pastor at churches in 10 communities. He also served as a member of the NAACP executive committee.

“It’s been my privilege to be part a part of the NAACP, and the countless friends I know. I hope, as long as I have strength, to continue to do what I’m able to do,” said Knappenberger.

Doris Carson Williams, president and chief executive officer of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, delivered the dinner’s keynote address, “Glad to be in the Service.”

Williams left the corporate world to open the chamber’s office, which grew from 28 members in 1998 to more than 500 paid members and corporate sponsors today.

In 2009, Williams served as co-chair for the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh.

“Our Chamber of Commerce is a full-service organization, and for me, it’s been a labor of love,” said Williams. “After spending 28 years in the corporate world, it’s a wonderful experience when you get to take every skill, technique and strategy that you’ve ever learned when you were helping Fortune 500 compaines make a profit, you have a staff of people that didn’t look like you, but you all learned to work together, and suddelnly I’m in a position where I can help people who loook like me. It’s realy quite gratifying.”

Williams also paid tribute to the late Louis E. Waller Sr., who was involved in business, community and civic affairs, was a recipient of the Human Rights Award, founded Waller Corporation and re-started the NAACP Washington branch more than 50 years ago.

“He rose to the occasion … and was still glad to be in ther service,” said Williams.

She talked about leaving the private sector to pursue the Chamber of Commerce.

“I stepped out in faith,” she said. “It hasn’t been an easy journey, but it’s been a worthwhile journey.”

Also Friday, Carla Ivery received the unit service award.