James "Genial Jim" Knight
Knight founded the Knight-Young Shoe Stores with Chicago Defender newspaper sportswriter Frank "Beansy" Young and Mr. Knight was the first African-American representative at the national shoe-store owners' convention, then held annually at the Palmer House.
Knight-Young Shoe Store
Notice the Books in the Window and the Sign for the Hall Branch of the Chicago Public Library. This is yet another example of Mr. Knight's dedication to the "race advancement," as it was called then. Mr. Knight was a strong supporter of reading and literacy in the Bronzeville community.