The Truth Staff
On Sunday afternoon, February 16, a celebration at St. Mark’s Baptist Church, organized by State Rep. Elgin Rogers, brought together hundreds in the community to celebrate Black History Month and to recognize the difference makers in our community who have contributed to that black history in recent years.
The celebration began with a welcome from the mistress of ceremonies Charlon Dewberry, Esq, followed by a prayer offered by youngster Amir Perryman of St. Marks Church.
My5tery Music, an ensemble of school students taught and directed by Erick Dixon, sand “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” along with several other selections.
Janitra Bailey and Saharah Bruce presented a visual compilation; Kaleb Perryman offered a spoken word presentation; followed by Maxine Wilson’s “Who Am “I and another musical selection by Mystery Music.
After Amir Perryman’s “Ancestor’s Dram and Sani Perryman’s “My Black is Beautiful,” Brenda Lee Mitchell recognized the “Difference Makers” to whom the event was dedicated.
The “Difference Makers” were: Wendi Huntley, president and CEO of Connecting Kids to Meals; Dione Somerville, PhD, president of Owens Community College; Kwinlyn Tyler, community affairs manager for TARTA; Clarence Smith, Jr., director/educator for the Clarence Smith Community Chorus; Marvin Whitfield, PhD, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio; Chanell Phenix, president of the Toledo Alliance of Black School Educators; Micheal T. Johnson, educator for the Toledo Public Schools-Barber Program; Robert Smith, director of the African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio; Sheila Howard, journalist, author and wellness influencer for The Blade and she Jag, LLC; Errick Dixon, executive director of My5stery Music LLC; Leroy Bates, retired teacher/basketball coach for Toledo Public Schools; Chris Jenkins, Toledo Public Schools employee; Denisee Johnson-Gaston, playwright/director, Dramatically Inspired Works; Harvey Savage, Jr, executive director, MLK Center Kitchen for the Poor.
The Difference Makers were honored with both cloths and plaques. Each was praised for being “a remarkable individual, combining civic concern and dedication with selfless initiative to become a dynamic leader in the Toledo area.”
“These folks are doing the work in our community that you don’t see,” said Rogers. Some of the individuals themselves may work unseen and out of the public eye, but the work they all do is readily apparent and has made a huge impact on this community.
Rogers offered closing remarks about the individuals and the occasion of Black History Month and Rev. C.L. Johnson of St. Mark Baptist gave the closing benediction.
