From time to time, Black Westchester celebrates unsung heroes in the community. An “unsung hero” is someone who performs heroic acts or makes significant contributions, often quietly and without seeking or receiving recognition or praise for their actions. Unsung heroes often operate behind the scenes, focusing on their work rather than seeking personal glory. They are motivated by a desire to help others or make a positive impact, rather than personal gain or recognition. Despite their lack of recognition, their actions have a meaningful impact on individuals, communities, or society. This month’s unsung hero is Kim Knotts.
Kim Knotts is a native Mount Vernonite, graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1985, and a mother of one daughter. She began her career in the private sector as a Computer/Database Analyst; she embarked on her career with the City of Mount Vernon in 2014. Starting in the Board of Water Supply as a part-time Secretary in 2014; before moving on to become the Executive Secretary in the Mayor’s Office in 2016; then transferred to the Department of Buildings (DOB) as a Building Clerk; she then moved to the Parking Bureau as a Secretary and before finding a home in the Department Of Buildings as a permanent Building Clerk before being promoted to a Housing Inspector in 2019.
As a Housing Inspector for the City of Mount Vernon, she has a thorough knowledge of state laws, guidelines, and the dire needs of the residents. She has led task-force inspections on some of the worst slumlords within the city to improve the overall quality of life for her community. She is dedicated to leaving her community better than she found it.
She has always had a passion for community service, as she loves giving and helping others to believe in themselves. It was always important to her to lend a helping hand to guide others, as was done for her in the past. She often taught resume writing, computer skills, and credit repair to those in need, and did midnight runs in NYC to provide toiletries, blankets, and food, as well as helping to feed the homeless. She was a District Leader with the City of Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee from 2012-2016; a volunteer for MV4U, a non-profit organization that provided food, toys, and coats during the holiday seasons, from 2011-2017; an Auxiliary Police Officer in the City of Mount Vernon from 2014-2019 and a Co-Leader of Girl Scout’s Daisy Troop2983.
Kim is a firm believer in one’s ability to change one’s own circumstances, as one is never too old to learn. She strives hard to be the best that she can be. As her mother would often say, “If you choose to be anything in this world, choose to be amazing.” These are the very words she tries to live by.
This doesn’t begin to describe Kim’s unselflessness and dedication to serving her community, but we wanted to give her her flowers because Ms. Knotts is the epitome of what it means to be an unsung hero!
