BROOKLYN BEDFORD STUYVESANT LIONS CLUB chartered September 9, 1970 and sponsored by the East New York Lions Club.  It’s first meeting was held at the St. George Hotel, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY.  This was six months prior to its actual date of chartering. It was one of the first African American clubs.  The Club had forty-four (44) Charter Members of which only one (1) remains, Lion Don Johnson. The charter president was Lion Dr. Basil Charles and the secretary was Lion Roy Scheckzel. Its members included local professionals and businessmen. The club’s early service projects included food distribution and it provided scholarships to graduates of the Boys and Girls High School. In later years the club helped with community Christmas parties held at Brooklyn Restoration, Fulton Street, Brooklyn. There it assisted the Restoration management and Kennedy family with giving away toys to disadvantaged children in the community. It also assisted with distribution of Thanksgiving Turkey baskets in Brooklyn.   

Brooklyn Bedford Stuyvesant Lions Club sponsored five (5) clubs: Brooklyn Crown Heights Lions Club 10/20/1976, Brooklyn Stuyvesant Heights Lions Club 8/5/1988, Mid-Bedford Heights Lions Club 3/2/1992, Brooklyn Stuy Park Lions Club 3/2/1992, Brooklyn Red Hook Lions Club 8/10/1992.

In addition to our regular mandated service activities, we purchased a brand-new ambulance and donated it to the Bedford Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corp. One of the key Lions supporting this project was our current International President, Douglas X, Alexander, (2021-2022).  We also donated decoders to the St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, located on Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY.  

Currently, Brooklyn Bedford Stuyvesant Lions Club is celebrating a Historical Lionistic Year 2021-2022. A member Anthony B. Cochran was elected District Governor of District 20-K1, and   Douglas X. Alexander was elected International President of Lions Clubs International, both in the same year. The Late Robert G. Skanes (1988-1989) was the first District Governor from this Club. IP Alexander was District Governor (1994-1995).

OUTSTANDING CLUB AWARDS (Membership, Leadership and Service) from charter date to present:  Brooklyn Bedford Stuyvesant Lions Club has a history of recognizing Club members, other Lions, and non-Lions with plaques, pins, and/or certificates appropriate for the recognition.