Black History Month, Part 4: Local Trailblazers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - All month long we've covered a variety of topics surrounding the black experience in Greater Lafayette, from Purdue, to African American hair, to gospel music.

In our continuing coverage to honor Black History Month, now we meet black trailblazers in our area: people working to help the next generation.

We conclude our special series this month by introducing you to two up and coming history makers in our area: Public Radio's Sam Klemet and Darren Henry, Director of the Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program.

These two continue to prove that race becomes less of a hindrance when it comes to success.

There's a familiar cadence to Sam Klemet's voice as he delivers news stories. This newsman represents the changing face of diversity in media. He moves beyond the microphone into the community, even giving back by serving with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"I've always wanted to be a journalist,” Klemet said. “Since I was 5 years old that's what I always wanted to do. It's just something I pursued and it just happened that I ended up here. It’s been a long journey here. I've been in some very small towns, but I like it here, and like I said, it's just something I've always wanted to do. It's always been a dream of mine and I'm continuing to pursue that dream."

It’s a dream made possible through hard work, determination and lessons learned through his diverse background.

"My father's African American, my mom's white, it's just the way it was. And I'm grateful for it,” Klemet said. “It allowed me to not look at people in a light that had to do with skin color. It’s just not something I ever paid attention to, which I think is great."

But Sam's job doesn't come with out its own challenges.

"Sometimes you do hear things because people look at me and they may not tell I have an African American background, and that's understandable, that's fine,” Klemet said. “But you hear things that sometimes you know that person wouldn't say if I looked African American. And that is troubling. I think you see more of the realities of society. And the same thing on the other side, it's not just one way you hear it on both sides."

Meanwhile on Purdue’s campus, Darren Henry prepares the next generation of minority business leaders.

"I love what I do and I love helping the students,” Henry said. “I love giving them everything that I didn't have as an undergraduate student at Purdue."

Surrounded by photos of previous students, this Boilermaker alum makes it his life's mission to change the lives of the students he works with, continuing the work of Dr. Cornell Bell.

"Dr. Bell laid an awesome foundation for this program, an awesome foundation,” Henry said. “That can never be duplicated so I'm just continuing what he started."

In the process he mentors countless students and creates the future business leaders of tomorrow.

"I think everyone is responsible for the next generation,” Henry said. “Just the way my parents were responsible for me, I have to play my part to help raise the next generation."

Both Henry and Klemet understand the importance of their accomplishments, not allowing race to define who they are and blazing trails for the next generation.

We're happy to report Sam is now down the road in Indianapolis, recently accepting a position with WFYI Radio.

In case you missed them, watch parts one, two and three of our special Black History Month series.