By Tricia Hall
The Truth Reporter
Ten local individuals were acknowledged as Changemakers during the Toledo Museum of Art’s Juneteenth/Father’s Day Concert on Sunday, June 19. Audiences enjoyed singer and songwriter Raheem DeVaughn, who was born in New Jersey and nominated for several awards including the BET Awards and Grammy Awards.
The concert also featured Loose Ends with lead vocals sung by the original songstress Jane Engene. Loose Ends is a British R&B band with several record hits dating back to the 1980s.
During the intermission, The Changemakers were celebrated as community leaders from the Junction and Englewood neighborhoods. Each honoree received public recognition, a token of appreciation and a standing ovation in appreciation of their work for the community.
The Changemaker Award honorees were: Suzette Cowell, Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, CEO and treasurer; Sonia Ramelle, Sonia Organics and Urban Wholistics founder; David Ross, The Arts Commission creative placemaking strategist; Alicia Smith, Junction Coalition director; Carnel Smith, EdD, Scott High School principal; Robert Smith, African American Legacy Project founder and executive director; Christine and Calvin Sweeney, PhD, Art Tatum Zone executive director and president; Celeste Taylor, Toledo Lucas County Public Library regional manager and Mott Branch manager and Reggie Williams, Frederick Douglass Community Association president.
According to Changemeakers Calvin and Christine Sweeney the honorees were selected through an informal peer nomination process.
“Excited to be here with my wife to receive this recognition. This peer recognition means something. We don’t work for the recognition but it does feel good,” said Calvin Sweeney.
“This is definitely refilled my tank. I’m blessed to stand here with others that I admire and respect,” shared Christine Sweeney.
The concert was sponsored in part by Taylor Automotive. The Toledo Museum of art is a nonprofit arts institute funded through individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships and investments. Admission to the museum if always free, visit the museum website for additional details www.toledomuseum.org
