{"id":15318,"date":"2025-02-27T22:06:25","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T22:06:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=15318"},"modified":"2025-02-27T22:06:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T22:06:25","slug":"african-american-legacy-project-economic-discussion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/27\/african-american-legacy-project-economic-discussion\/","title":{"rendered":"African American Legacy Project Economic Discussion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rich Hogan, Charlie Mack and Thomas Nash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Tricia Hall<\/em>
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/em><\/p>\n

The African American Legacy Project organized a day-long opportunity to highlight the history and economic impact of Dorr Street. One activity focused on moving the business sector forward through a facilitated discussion that included a panel.<\/p>\n

Local entrepreneur Charlie Mack facilitated the discussion that included local entrepreneur Thomas Nash and a round robin conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father came to Toledo in 1969,\u201d said Mack. \u201cHe started a few businesses and taught me by passing those businesses to us. It\u2019s about creating businesses in our community. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. I wanted to create a career for myself and that prospective has shifted. I have children who are my wealth and opportunity. I do real estate and radio, I bring my children into the radio station. We have to pass something along, it doesn\u2019t have to be a business, it can be knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thomas Nash answered questions about generational wealth and turning conversation into action.<\/p>\n

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Rich Hogan and Robert Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe need action behind discussions,\u201d said Nash. \u201cCommunication and coming together are important. Events happen outside of Toledo, that won\u2019t come here. Talking is fine, but actions speak louder than words. You don\u2019t always have to be the point person to make things happen. My daughter is taking the lead on college outreach and has her own team. I am passing on my knowledge and not just wealth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attendees and panelists in attendance held a round robin discussion that touched on sharing of knowledge and resources, starting and supporting businesses and the importance of Black-owned businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe tend to keep stuff to ourselves. We have to share our knowledge,\u201d explained Rich Hogan.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must come to the table and come together to determine community priorities. Anyone who wants to come to the table is welcome,\u201d added Robert Smith.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can lead a horse to water but can\u2019t make them drink. You must make them thirsty. We need to bring young folks and older folks together, we need to understand the motivations of each age group,\u201d shared Jerome Graham.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s talk about cross generational experience, it takes a village,\u201d said Audrey Johnson. \u201cWe need to create a space to be in the create cross generational storytelling. We can create something that is simple, give conversation a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

For additional information about African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio, visit https:\/\/www.africanamericanlegacy.org\/<\/p>\n