By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
The Toledo Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist held it’s 37th annual Black History Celebration – “Preserving and Building Our Legacy: Unbought, Unbowed, Unstoppable” on Saturday, February 28th at the Premier Banquet Hall. The brunch featured three esteemed panelists who were honored for their leadership in the community.
“Preserving and building our legacy, unbought, unbound, unstoppable, is more than a slogan,” opened Anita Madison, Toledo Chapter Chairperson in the welcome. “It is a declaration, unblocked, because our voices cannot be purchased; unbound, because we refuse to bend in the face of injustice and unstoppable, because when labor, community and political leadership, unite, progress is inevitable.
“Today is about unity”, she stated. “It is about strengthening the connection between trade unions, elected officials, community advocates, and the next generation of leaders. It is about reminding ourselves that black labor history is American history. And that the fight for equity in the workplace, at the ballot box, and in our neighborhoods, continues.
“We are proud to honor leaders who embody service, courage, and commitment. We’re proud to recognize our scholarship recipient and excellence. And we are especially proud to celebrate an organization whose impact continues to inspire our community,” said Madison.
Following the welcome Tonielle Barton sang The Black National Anthem and Pastor Michael Key, pastor of People’s Missionary Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
Brunch was served with music provided by DJ Mpress.
Jamele Walker recited a spoken word piece and a scholarship was given to Scott High School student Nazyre K. Hughes. Special recognition were given by President Anita Madison and Vice President Elbert Collier to former CBTU President Cherly Tyler Folsom and The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers.
The panelists were introduced by moderator Fletcher Word, owner and publisher of the Sojourner’s Truth Newspaper. The three panelists who were also honored for their work in the community were: Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson – Toledo City Council (Political Action Honoree), Susan Pratt, president UAW Local 2213 (Trade Unionist Honoree) and Robert Smith, founder, African American Legacy Project (Community Service Honoree).
The panelists then discussed the following issues:
– The workforce in local manufacturing has become more diverse as younger workers of color now make up a significant demographic on the production lines. What can unions do to ensure these workers are engaged in the union more intimately?
– We may all know about the history of unions, but today’s unions are not our grandfathers’ unions. What must unions or groups like CBTU be doing to ensure that the community and politicians know the value of union vs non-union?
– Should unions encourage participation in organizations like CBTU, where their members can learn and understand the struggle and the intersection of worker rights and civil rights? How important is it for our politicians and Community leaders to learn and understand.
Concluding the panel discussion was a presentation to the honorees by President Anita Madison and Vice President Elbert Collier and a word of thanks. The benediction was given by Pastor Key with a finale by DJ Mpress.
The recently elected Toledo Chapter CBTU Officers are Anita Madison- Chapter Chairperson, Elbert Collier – Vice Chairperson, Jamele Walker – Secretary, Sharon Roach – Treasurer, Janice Fryar – Sgt-At-Arms, Doris Roberts – Trustee.
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists consists of members from seventy-seven international and national unions with forty-two chapters across the country. The Toledo Chapter was organized in 1974. CBTU seeks to fulfill the dream of those Black trade unionists, both living and deceased, who throughout this century have courageously and unremittingly struggled to build a national movement that would bring all our strengths and varied talents to bear in the unending effort to achieve economic, political, and social Justice for every American.
To learn more about the Toledo CBTU visit their Facebook page @ Coalition of Black Trade Unionist – Toledo.
