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Johnny D. Gilbert, Sr. came to the Little Rock Police Department in 1967, during the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. He was married to Mrs. Jean Gilbert and the father of two children, Johnny Jr. and Velvia.
Officer Gilbert was the only African American in police recruit class # 15. He accepted the challenges with courage and determination, and he went about doing his job in spite of the numerous obstacles that he faced from inside as well as outside the Little Rock Police Department.
After nine years with the Department, it became obvious to Officer Gilbert and others who were charter members of the Black Policemen Association, Inc of Little Rock that concerns of black officers were not being seriously considered by the larger bargaining organization. The number of African American officers stayed about the same, and the opportunity for advancement was almost nonexistent. The glass ceiling and prevailing climate suggested, “Just be glad that you have a job. Yes, you are a police officer; but you’re not a leader!”
Officer Gilbert rejected those ideas and went on to organize and was the first president of the Black Policemen Association, Inc of Little Rock in 1978. It was founded on the principles that all members of the Police Department have value, have concerns that should be listened to by management, and should have the same opportunities as other members of the Department.
We are indebted to Officer Gilbert and the founding members of the Black Policemen Association, Inc of Little Rock. This is one of the reasons why we named the scholarship in his honor. Mr. Gilbert passed away in 1987 and we honor his memory in this manner. The purpose of the Johnny D. Gilbert, Sr. scholarship is to recognize students who have displayed academic excellence in spite of obstacles that they have faced.
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