The Truth Staff
The African American Legacy Project hosted the 2026 Legends Luncheon on Saturday, October 17, at The Pinnacle in Maumee and honored five Toledo legends for the service they have given to their community and, in some instances, to the world itself.
The 22nd Legends Luncheon brought together about 300 attendees, including elected officials, community activists and organization leaders, among the many prominent area residents who present. Past honorees were also in attendance such as Eddie Cole, the 106-year-old former area attorney.
This year’s legends, who were presented with the Kente cloth were: Lucas County Recorder Michael Ashford; Hollywood standout Ayanna A. Floyd; educator John Norwood, PhD; federal government executive Scharita Barry Lacey and former labor leader Ray Wood.
Ashford, a Nebraska native and graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, arrived in Toledo decades ago with the Boys and Girls Club, an advocate for at risk children, families and seniors. He eventually joined the YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo and then became involved in public service as an elected official.
Ashford served on Toledo City Council from 2002 to 2011 (as president in 2007); represented Toledo as a state representative from 2011 to 2018 (serving as the minority whip); was elected to his current position of Lucas County Recorder while also serving as chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party.
Floyd, a Toledo native, is a Hollywood luminary – a television writer, producer an showrunner who has spent more then two decades creating television and film dramas and series such as Empire, Private Practice, Hannibal and Falling Skies.
She has developed television and film projects for entertainment companies such as CBS, NBC, FOX, TNT, Freeform and Sony.
The Chi, Freedom House, Power Book II are among her many projects as a producer. A graduate of Macomber High School and Eastern Michigan University, Floyd earned a masters of Fine Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago.
Norwood, an accomplished educator, is graduate of Libbey High School. He earned his masters of education from Bowling Green State University and his doctorate in education from the University of Michigan.
After stints with Toledo Public Schools and school districts in Cincinnati and Boston, MA, Norwood joined the school district of Saginaw, MI, and held several leadership positions, including assistant superintendent.
He completed his career as a senior associate with an educational consulting firm, Ray Taylor and Associates.
Lacey, an honors graduate of Scott High School, has had a career as a federal government employee, a non-profit founder and a community advocate. In recognition of her two decades of public service, Lacey received the 2025 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden.
Lacey has spent 16 of her government service career with the Department of Defense as budget director, budget officer and comptroller overseeing multimillion-dollar portfolios and supporting global operations during assignments with the U.S. Air Force and Defense Logistics Agency. She is currently with the Government Accountability Office in the nation’s capital.
Lacey is the founder of Ignite Hope, supporting families raising children on the autism spectrum, and also the founder of The Virtuous Women’s Network, empowering women navigating crisis and transition, supporting military families and survivors of abuse.
Wood, a Toledo community leader, has developed a legacy of service and commitment to civil rights, educational opportunity and economic advancement. He has been a local leader in both the NAACP and the labor movement, as well as the faith community and with civic organizations.
A graduate of Macomber High, Wood is an Air Force veteran who took a place in labor leadership after he joined General Motors Toledo Powertrain. Twenty years ago, he was elected president of UAW Local 14 and served in that capacity until his retirement from General Motors.
Wood was elected president of the Toledo Chapter NAACP in 2013, serving seven years in that capacity, championing education equity, voting rights, economic justice, workplace fairness and civic engagement.
Marcus Harrison, director of Marketing & Communications for WGTE Public Media served as the program host for this year’s luncheon.
