Pastor Kenyatta T. Cobb Receives 2009 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

James H. Robertson, special agent in charge (SAC) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Buffalo Field Office, has selected Pastor Kenyatta T. Cobb as the 2009 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award (DCLA) recipient. SAC Robertson will present Pastor Cobb with the commemorative award on Friday, December 11, 2009, at 10:30 a.m., at the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), Second Floor Overflow Café, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, New York. 

The FBI presents the DCLA annually on behalf of its Director, Robert S. Mueller, III. The FBI created the award in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, and drugs, and promoting civil rights education/prevention. Each year, the special agent in charge of each FBI field office has the opportunity, with input from FBI employees, to select an organization or individual who has made a significant difference in the lives of others.   

Pastor Kenyatta T. Cobb is the pastor of the Hananiah Lutheran Church, Buffalo, New York. He is also the senior chaplain for the City of Buffalo Police Department. He works closely with law enforcement officers and serves as a liaison for families who have been touched by violence. He offers personal support to police officers as they protect and serve. His love for life is apparent as the Senior Trauma Chaplain for ECMC, where he aids and supports victims of crimes. Pastor Cobb supports law enforcement as the coordinator of the faith-based Department of Justice/City of Buffalo Weed and Seed Initiative and as a member of the Western District of New York United States Attorney’s Office’s Project Exile.

After graduating from the 2001 FBI Citizens’ Academy, Pastor Cobb sensed there was a need to do more in his community so he began to bridge needed resources. In late 2001, Pastor Cobb founded the Western New York Law Enforcement Chaplains’ Association as an avenue to train dozens of local clergy members (representing various faiths) to provide added support for law enforcement officers; members serve as catalysts in their communities and assist with issues concerning, gangs, violence, and drugs.

Pastor Cobb serves as one of Buffalo’s youngest African-American historians. He dedicates his energy and passion to the residents of Western New York. He continues to work tirelessly establishing community outreach efforts to include an after-school program focusing on computer technology, developing a male mentoring initiative, teaching basic skills and responsibilities, and offering Karate and Judo classes that focus on discipline. 

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, will present Pastor Kenyatta Cobb with the 2009 FBI DCLA during a formal ceremony at FBI Headquarters, Washington, D.C., in March 2010. 

Below is a list of past recipients of the DCLA:

1993    JoAnne Hudecki, Capital Campaign Coordinator
Kids Escaping Drugs

1996    *Gregory R. Hill, Coordinator 
Community School #53

1997    Vincent Spadorcia, President
Middle City Neighborhood Association (MCNA), Niagara Falls

1998    Michael Dundon, Certified Employee Assistance Program Coordinator
Town and Village of Hamburg

1999    *Donald Dade, Executive Director
Coalition for the Redevelopment of Unified Community Involvement and Leadership, Inc.  (C.R.U.C.I.A.L.)

2000    City of Rochester Youth Anti-Violence Initiative

2001    Richard J. Gallagher, Director
Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services, Inc.

2002    State Incentive for Community Action (SICA)
WNY United Against Drug and Alcohol

2003    University Community Initiative (UCI) Regional Community Policing Center

2004    Fathers Armed Together to Help Educate Restore and Save Group
(F.A.T.H.E.R.S.)

2005    Luke Moretti, Investigative Reporter
WIVB-TV (CBS affiliate)

2006    Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) - WNY Chapter

2007    Frank Mesiah, President
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

2008    John Schunak, President
Buffalo Chapter InfraGard

* denotes deceased recipients