The Black Knight

Academy graduates are special, and Cliff Worthy is definitely one of those special people. He has fought his way through virtually every stage in life with his faith in God giving him the necessary strength and courage.

Rick Forzano, former head coach of the Detroit Lions and a former assistant coach at the U.S. Naval Academy.

In this authentic story of one man’s life journey, we are given a glimpse of the true struggles on which faith and commitment are built. Cliff Worthy reminds us what it is to be human–as a soldier, as a husband and in his important role as a parent. As father of three remarkable children, it was the life and specialness of his son Mark that led him to dedicate his time and his wisdom to the Angels’ Place mission–helping to provide homes and hope to hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Cheryl Loveday, Executive Director of Angels’ Place and the Honorable James L. Ryan

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Cliff Worthy’s book, Black Knight. Having followed him a decade later, I know the contribution he made to the Academy recognizing that we minority cadets lead to a more successful Army. We officers who followed him and the hundreds of minority cadets at the Academy today appreciate his tremendous contribution.

Joseph B. Anderson, Jr., West Point Class of 1965

First and foremost, Cliff Worthy is a good soul.

Rich Homberg, President of Detroit Public Television

Colonel Worthy’s understanding of and commitment to the highest standards of soldier systems continues to be the cornerstone of professional excellence in America’s Army!

Bruce G. MacDonald, Major General, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret) and former Vice President, General Motors Global Communications

Congratulations on delivering your distinct and meaningful journey. I admired you as a cadet-teammate in our Academy days–now I know “the rest of the story.” Well done!

William R. Richardson, General, U.S. Army (Ret) and former Commander of the United States Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)

Stories of certain lives deserve to be told and preserved. They serve as inspiration for all of us and for generations that follow. Colonel Cliff Worthy’s is one of those lives. The Black Knight is his story. It is uplifting to learn what this man has experienced, accomplished and now shares with us.

James B. Hayes, former Publisher of FORTUNE magazine, former Chairman and CEO of Junior Achievement Inc.

Retired Col. Clifford Worthy is the great-grandson of slaves. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and was raised in Hamtramck, Michigan. Clifford Worthy was one of the first African Americans who was accepted and excelled as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating June 2, 1953. He married Lillian Elizabeth Davis on the day after his graduation and went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army from 1953 through 1975. He served as an Artillery officer in American posts, in Germany during the Cold War and in Vietnam just after the Tet Offensive. He participated in Operation Gyroscope after World War II and served as Battalion Commander and Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army. Clifford and Lillian had three children: Kym, Jennifer and Mark who grew up with special needs. John David Dingell Jr. is the son of John Dingell Sr. who recommended Clifford Worthy as a candidate for West Point. John Dingell Jr. began his congressional career representing Michigan’s 16th district by succeeding his father, John Dingell Sr. Then, John Dingell Jr. became the longest-serving U.S. Congressperson, representing Michigan for over 59 years. Dingell’s wife Debbie Dingell, succeeded her husband in the 114th Congress. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014. Kym Worthy is the elected Prosecutor (District Attorney) of Wayne County, Michigan. She is the first African-American and the first woman to serve in that capacity in Michigan. A former Assistant Prosecutor and Circuit Court judge, she is best known for the prosecution of the former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, and her work on obtaining fresh justice for the victims of the untested 11,341 sexual assault kits found in Detroit in 2009.

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