By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Marvin Lewis' positive effect on Cincinnati extends beyond his job as Bengals head coach.

As the first African-American to coach the Bengals, Lewis has joined the increasing number of blacks in leadership positions in the city, provided a role model for minority children and enhanced Cincinnati's image, several observers say.

"His presence, his ability to connect to so many elements of the community, it has a very unifying effect," said retired federal judge Nathaniel Jones, a Lewis confidant and key figure in the formation of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The Bengals are 1-1 and face the Baltimore Ravens today in an AFC North division game at Paul Brown Stadium.

Lewis' talent as a football coach gained national attention in Baltimore. The defense he coordinated set numerous NFL records and led the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV.

Lewis' talent off the field has emerged in Cincinnati. The primary intent of the coach's dozens of public appearances in his first year with the Bengals was to sell tickets, but he accomplished more.

"I know black people who have felt the sting of racism and are inspired and have a good feeling after they meet him or hear him speak," said the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, pastor of Greater New Light Baptist Church in North Avondale.

Shuttlesworth, one of the most prominent figures in the modern civil rights movement for his work to desegregate Birmingham, Ala., said Lewis' success is an example of what can happen when minorities get a fair shot to compete for jobs.

Creating opportunity for minority coaching candidates was the purpose of an initiative created two years ago by Cyrus Mehri, a civil rights attorney based in Washington.

"Because the NFL is the most watched sport, what message did it choose to send to American youth - one of inclusion or exclusion?" Mehri asked. "It doesn't mean guaranteed outcome. But it means fair competition. Youth in Cincinnati see the result of fair competition."

Some members of the Withrow High School football team have picked up on that theme.

"A lot of our kids have noticed what Coach Lewis has done with his opportunity," said Charles "Doc" Gamble, 32, an African-American coach who had led Withrow to 10 consecutive victories heading into its game against Shroder Saturday. "They see him as a guy to aspire to be like, even if they're not going into coaching."

In his second season, Gamble has increased participation in the public-school program from 35 players to more than 130.

"We never talk about what we don't have," Gamble said. "We talk about how much we do have. We try not to complain about anything. I've never seen Coach Lewis complain."

Lewis' hard-working parents and hometown of McDonald, Pa., shaped his views on race and opportunity. "They didn't use (potential discrimination) as blame or a crutch," he said.

The Bengals hired Lewis less than two years after racial tension boiled over into violence and property damage in Cincinnati.

"I knew somewhat of what was going on here - even some people's perceptions of what I was going to do - but my job is about winning football games," he said.

If Lewis wins, he understands, the greater the ripple effect.

"I believe, as we are successful, and we give young African-Americans, children, people, we show them that anybody can succeed at anything they want to," Lewis said. "It takes preparation and work, but you have the ability to do that. If you feel like it takes being twice as good, be twice as good."

But some see Lewis' success and think about lost opportunities for black coaches in years past.

"Has his presence and performance helped the racial situation in this city?" asked Calvert Smith, president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP.

"I think the best way to answer is this: His performance magnifies the nature of racism not only in this city (and) across the country.

"Clearly he is head and shoulders better than the other coaches we've had here, but it took him how many years to get a chance? How much did he have to go through in terms of internships and working his way up through college jobs? It seems like white guys are playing one year and coaching the next."

Smith, however, said Lewis is not in a vital position to create jobs and help end economic disparity.

But other leaders think Lewis has a positive effect on race relations.

"All of us, when we just do what we do, we add to the atmosphere in the city and change its climate," said Donna Jones Stanley, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken asked Lewis to speak at the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission. There, and in a presentation before the National Conference for Community and Justice, Luken heard Lewis talk in general terms about issues of fairness and social justice.

"To have a guy like Coach Lewis, who has a great deal of character and ability, is a great example for the city. It just says something about the city," Luken said. "I have talked to him, and he said, 'Charlie, people like me now, but wait and see what happens if I lose a few football games.' I think he gets it that the most important thing he has to do is win football games."

Luken counts Lewis with City Manager Valerie Lemmie and Janet Reid, chair of trustees of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, among black leaders whose rise to positions of power is good for the city.

"Just by the way he conducts himself and what he does," Luken said, "he's making a statement about society and what it should be."

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com