By Alexandria Leatherberry
The Truth Reporter
United Way’s African American Leadership Council held their annual fundraiser on November 14. The conference included several workshops to inform attendees how to best use digital platforms and local resources to drive their initiatives.
The sessions covered personal branding led by Alissa Mauter, founder of GroundUp Creative agency; emotional intelligence led by Tim Clark, a New York Life Partner; AI business applications led by LaShean Shaw, president of Empowered AI.
A panel discussion titled “Why Toledo” moderated by Candice Harrison, SSOE director of DEI, unpacked the unique qualities that the community has to develop with leadership practices. The panel included diverse perspectives from native and relocated changemakers: entrepreneur Tashara Ballard; United Way’s Director of Marketing Jon Dorcely; Pathway’s Program Lead Avis Files and Mental Health Counselor Cecil Holston.
Holston, a native of Toledo, shared that being “comfortable enough to go anywhere” is the significance of staying local to reach the needs of people.
The discussion followed the Keynote address of the notable Toledo informative, Alexis Means of 13abc. In her address she emphasized the importance of sharing stories and discovering the connection of talent to impact. She reflected on her own journey in discovering what her talents brought to her community, Means stated “when you are true to yourself, you give others the permission to do the same and that is where real change begins.”
Means encouraged the attendees in their individual impacts, charging them up for the remainder of the conference that concluded with an engaging network session led by Sheila Eason, founder of Elevate People Solutions.
As attendees left with new information and connections, the AALC group left with a new face to lead in 2025 with the announcement of Amanda Davis as chair.
