Canton Fire Department to swear in 1st African American chief
K. Akbar Bennett says he never set out to make history. The department has only had white chiefs in its first 200 years of existence. Author: January Keaton Updated: 12:03 AM EDT April 24, 2021
CANTON, Ohio The Canton Fire Department has reached a major milestone, ushering in its first African American fire chief. I cannot dismiss the historical context of it, current Division Chief K. Akbar Bennett told 3News. My goal was never to be the first African American fire chief; my goal was always not to be the last.
Bennett will be sworn in next week as the first African American fire chief in the almost-200-year history of the department. The 50-year-old father of two and grandfather of one says his new position wasn t appointed; it was earned.