The 18th Annual African American Festival

Prayer Breakfast

Date: Friday, July 14, 2023 Time: 8:00 AM

Location: Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion 2444 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43620

Sponsored by: The University of Toledo and the Toledo Museum of Art

Honorees: Donnetta Carter, Felica Clark, Jessica Ford, Diane Gordon, Marquisa Horton, Matthew Killam, Velma Pryor, Valerie Simmons-Walston, and Reggie Williams

African American Parade

Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023

Time:10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Beginning on the corner of Dorr St. and N. Detroit Ave.

Community Day

Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023 Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Nelson Grace Park, 1001 N. Detroit Ave., Toledo, OH, 43607

Sponsored by: Economic and Community Development Institu te, Human Relations Commission, Hope Toledo, and Toledo Police Athletic League

African American Festival

Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023

Time:Gates Open at 3:00 PM

Concert begins at 4:00 PM

Location: Promenade Park, 400 Water Street, Toledo, OH, 43604

Featuring:

Performances by Stokley

Ginuwine, Freddie Jackson, and The Zapp Band

DJ Lyte N Rod Darius Coleman Comedian Kelly Williams

On behalf of the Toledo Museum of Art, we congratulate the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union on 18 glorious years of the African American Festival.

July 11, 2023

Suzette R. Cowell Chief Executive Officer Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union 1441 Dorr Street

Toledo, Ohio

Mrs. Cowell and team:

It is with great pleasure that we extend our heartiest congratulations to the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union for marking 27 years of success in our community.

The Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union opened its doors on July 21, 1996 as the only community development credit union in Lucas County and has provided outstanding financial services and programs for low to moderate-income residents of central Toledo ever since.

Over the last 27 years, this financial institution has achieved tremendous growth and has been recognized for having the fastest-growing credit union membership among all the credit unions in the nation

Congratulations from the Lucas County Commissioners to the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, your leadership, and your entire team on your exceptional journey of 27 years of success. We wish you the same for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Pete Gerken

Tina Skeldon Wozniak

Lisa A. Sobecki President Commissioner Commissioner

July 15, 2023

Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union

1441 Dorr St. Toledo, Ohio 43607

Citizens of Toledo and Neighbors,

It is my privilege and honor to welcome you to the 27th Annual African American Festival hosted by the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union in Toledo, Ohio. Toledo’s African American Festival provides us with an opportunity to celebrate our city’s rich African American heritage and connects our community with resources that advance our health and education.

Each year Toledoans gather to commemorate the significant contributions of African Americans to Toledo’s heritage and cultural identity. Equally important, the festivities are an opportunity to empower African Americans, who have been historically disenfranchised, with resources like health education and financial literacy.

Throughout Toledo’s History, African Americans have played an important role in developing and enriching our community. I encourage everyone to enjoy the festivities and take the opportunity to learn from the many business, health, and education professionals. Furthermore, I would like to thank all of those involved in putting together this year’s festival and the countless hours they have dedicated to ensuring its success.

Sincerely,

Wade Kapszukiewicz Mayor, City of Toledo

THE 18TH ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL

Prayer Breakfast

JULY 14TH, 2023

Program Agenda

Master of Ceremonies - Bishop Larry Mack Greater Dreams Church

WORDS OF WELCOME

WORSHIP SONG

OPENING PRAYER

WELCOME PRAYER

PRAYER FOR THE CITY & LEADERS

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCHES

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

WORSHIP SONG

PRAYER FOR TUFCU

PRAYER FOR THE YOUTH

PRAYER FOR WOMEN

PRAYER FOR THE FESTIVAL

CLOSING PRAYER

Adam Levine

Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey

Director of the Toledo Museum of Art &

Fletcher Word

Publisher at Sojourners' Truth

Amanda Heron and Arthur Bishop

Bishop-Elect Jerry Boose Second Baptist Church

Sister Mary Gregory Sisters of Notre Dame

Elder Alisa Key People's Baptist Church

Pastor Michael Prince New Hope Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Suzette R. Cowell

TUFCU CEO

VIOLINIST

Raymond Flowers IV

Musical Performances

SONGSTRESS

Sister Maxine Young Sisters of Notre Dame

Reverend Troy Brown United Missionary Baptist Church

First Lady Angela Savage Lo-Salem Baptist Church

Sister Virginia Welsh

Pastoral Leader St. Martin de Porres

Pastor Timothy Pettaway Sr

Amanda Heron and Arthur Bishop Walk the Word Church

SAXOPHONIST

Amanda HeronArthur Bishop

Dear Community:

It is with great pleasure that the Board of Directors and Staff welcome you to our 18th Annual African American Prayer Breakfast. In all that we start, and in all that we do, we begin with prayer, and it has been the prayers that has brought us to our 27th year proudly serving this community as Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union.

We are so delighted to thank all our sponsors for their support of the festival this year. The sponsors are: Lucas County Commissioners, Toledo Museum of Art, The University of Toledo, Buckeye Broadband, TARTA, Fifth Third Bank, Lucas County Port Authority, City of Toledo, Lucas County Auditor, Premier Bank, KeyBank, PNC Bank, Waterford Bank, Bay Area Credit Union, Erie Home, Taylor Automotive Family, 95.7 The Mix (Media), 94.9 The Beat (Media), 107.3 The Juice (Media), The Blade, The Sojourners’ Truth, The Toledo Journal, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Lucas County Children’s Services and Walk the Word Church

We are fully aware that none of this would have been possible without the support of this community. The support has helped us broaden our scope and focus on the importance of promoting History, Health, and Education, within our African American culture. For the support we are forever grateful and commit to you “the best is yet to come”.

God bless you,

Suzette R. Cowell CEO/Treasurer

Dr. Suzette Cowell Receives Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from UT

Dr. Suzette Cowell Receives Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from UT

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority is a proud partner of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union (TUFCU) and a supporter of the 18th Annual African - American Festival.

In recent years, with the support of our Board of Directors, we have made a concerted effort to advance our mission toward economic development activities, which benefit all communities across the region and state of Ohio. We have been able to achieve this goal by creating inclusive programs and services through various innovative initiatives.

In 2005, the Port Authority launched the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), for the purpose of providing grants and loans to economic development projects undertaken by eligible, neighborhood-based organizations. To date, we have supported these community organizations and programs by funding over $6 million in local projects.

The Port Authority has partnered with TUFCU on various economic development initiatives over the years. More specifically, it has been able to utilize several grants and loans through the Port Authority’s CEDI program, which has in part assisted with pre-development and construction costs related to its new credit union location on Dorr Street.

The Port Authority launched the Diversified Contractors Accelerator Program (DCAP) in 2010 to provide financial solutions that encourage increased participation by Northwest Ohio-based minority and women-owned contractors in publicly bid work and privately funded construction projects. To date, more than 56 companies have joined the program, and we have provided over $7.8 million in funding to contractors engaged in projects across Northwest Ohio.

Additionally, the Northwest Ohio Revolving Loan Fund launched in March 2022 as a gap financing tool for nonprofit and for-profit businesses. The program was created to address a regional weakness in access to capital and support the overall goals of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region I am pleased to report that the first project supported through this initiative was Quality Time Child Care, Inc., located in Central Toledo on Dorr Street.

We look forward to continuing to move the community forward through the ongoing utilization of our innovative and inclusive programs that benefit the region.

On behalf of our team at the Port Authority, we celebrate the 18th Annual African - American festival and its theme: “Celebrating Our History, Health and Education” and look forward to our continued partnership in the future.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Winston President and CEO Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority

Thomas Winston, President and CEO Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority

Our Honorees

Donnetta Carter

Donnetta M. Carter has a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Toledo. She is also an entrepreneur. In her entrepreneurial career she is an event organizer in her company “The Social Butterfly.”

She cultivates experiences for small businesses, partakes in fundraising, and promotes concerts and events.

Donnetta is a Board Trustee Member for the Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

Ms. Carter also contributes to the monthly Stalwart magazine for upcoming events in Northwest Ohio and surrounding areas.

Donnetta is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter, Women of Toledo, Her/Hub for women-led small businesses.

Donnetta enjoys traveling, concerts, exercising and attending award shows such as BET, Soul Train and IHeart Radio Music Awards.

Her passion is to provide a platform for small businesses to allow exposure, networking opportunities, potential customers and increase revenue. Her Motto is “No one can dim your LIGHT.”

Our Honorees

Felica Clark

Felica Clark is the first director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Metroparks Toledo, a role she considers a “marketplace ministry” that allows her to impact the lives of others, connecting people with the outdoors and creating memorable experiences.

She is an inclusive leader skilled at organizational management, navigating groups through transformational change and solving problems. Through her work at Metroparks and other organizations, she has established a reputation as a successful administrator, spiritual leader and inspiring communicator with a demonstrated ability to establish community collaborations that move audiences to action.

She is co-founder of Harvest Christian Center, a venue where lives and futures are transformed; a founding member of DEAI Alliance of Northwest Ohio; a board member at Lucas County Mental Health Services; a Rotarian; and a member of United Pastors for Social Empowerment.

Felica grew up on Norwood Avenue in Central Toledo. She is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and the University of Toledo, where she received a Master’s of Business Administration.

She enjoys water aerobics; snorkeling; decorating and staging homes; and hiking in National Parks, state parks and, of course, Metroparks.

Our Honorees

Jessica Ford

Jessica M. Ford is a dedicated public servant known for her leadership in public administration and policy development. As the County Administrator for the Board of Lucas County Commissioners, Jessica leads 11 departments with over 600 employees responsible for providing some of the most critical public services for the community including emergency services, animal control, public assistance and water/wastewater services.

As the chief executive for the county, Jessica manages the annual $775MM budget process for all county entities. She also is responsible for executing the county’s strategy for American Rescue Plan Act funding, focusing on affordable housing, economic development initiatives and early childhood opportunities.

Notable accomplishments include successfully managing the consolidation of county social services agencies into a shared campus, launching the design and construction of the new Lucas County Care and Control facility, and establishing the county’s first department of diversity, equity and inclusion. Additionally, Jessica actively contributes to community organizations by serving on the Toledo LISC advisory board and as the Treasurer of the Lucas County Economic Development Corporation.

Jessica is the proud wife of David Perkins. Together they share two daughters.

Our Honorees

Diane Gordon

Mrs. Diane Gordon is a child of the King, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and community organizer. Mrs. Diane E. Gordon, born in Toledo, Ohio, attended Jesup W. Scott High School (Bulldog in the House) and graduated in the Class of 1966. She carried on attending Owen’s Community College and received a degree in Early Childhood Education & Development. Mrs. Gordon has also received a State Certification in Early Childhood Education. She has been married to her husband, Percy L. Gordon since 1966, raising their 3 sons, Harold, Rodney, and Percy Jr., who have given them 14 grandchildren 4 greatgrandchildren. Mrs. Gordon has attained various professional achievements such as being part of the Coalition for Quality Education as Secretary and payroll, serving parents. She was a professional cook for 20 years, and then had a career change in 1982, becoming a teacher at Lucas County Head Start. She then became employed at the Lucas County Jobs & Family Services where she is now retired from. Mrs. Gordon currently serves as a Board Member of the Frederick Douglas Community Association.

Throughout the years, Mrs. Gordon has served as a dedicated organizer within the community as she was the first person to organize the first Parent Teacher’s Organization and served as president of Scott High School PTO. She went on to help other schools to change from PTA to PTO to use the funds collected by local schools to remain in their schools and not given to the state. She went on to organize the first Union for Lucas County Head Start. Although she and others grew tired of being “at will employees” and yearned for compensation such as better pay and benefits due to years of working without insurance coverage and no increases in wages, she was still diligent in staying involved within the community. Diane Gordon has served as the coordinator for the annual Toledo & Northwest Ohio Kwanzaa celebration for more than fifty years.

She has worked within her community as part of Block Watch initiatives, taken part as staff for the Voter Registration & Poll locations. Mrs. Gordon has been a coordinator for the annual Toledo Kwanzaa House, and the Statewide celebration in Northwest Ohio. Among her accomplishments Diane Gordon has many personal interests. She loves attending The Cross Church. Mrs. Gordon loves spending time and attending events with her grandchildren. She’s attended Kwanzaa celebrations for more than 50 years as well as attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Event. She celebrates Juneteenth and has a hobby in cooking.

Our Honorees

Marquisa Horton

Pastor Marquisa Horton is married to Damon Horton and together they Pastor Corinth Missionary Baptist Church. Marquisa was first ordained in 2005 at Church of the Living God P.S.S. under the leadership of Pastor Lana Bell and she was installed as Pastor of Corinth in March 2018.

Marquisa attended the great Macomber Whitney High School. She received her B.A. from The University of Toledo and her Executive MBA from Bowling Green State University. She was a member of the Signature Leadership Toledo program in 2019-2020.

Prior to pastoring, Marquisa served behind the scenes in administration, served as a prayer intercessor and was active in various women ministries. As an active leader and member of Faith Leaders United For Change and Rise UP Women she helped organize a Praytest against violence in Toledo.

Throughout the years she has mentored and inspired young women across the United States. Most recently serving on panels introducing young women to careers in STEM and participating in Girl Power at the Imagination Station.

Marquisa currently works as Director, Technical Operations and Construction for Buckeye Broadband where she has been employed for over 28 years. She is a proud mother and MeMa. Marquisa currently serves as executive secretary for the IMA of Toledo. Marquisa strongly believes that her life is a reflection of God’s favor and that He blesses her to draw others to Him.

Community Day Vendors

Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) –

Community Day Sponsor

City Of Toledo Human Relations Commission – Sponsor

Hope Toledo – Sponsor

Toledo Police Athletic League (PAL) – Sponsor

Toledo Museum of Art –

Activity Station Sponsor

Metroparks Toledo –

Activity Station Sponsor

Roshawn Jones Enterprise –

Activity Station Sponsor

National Heritage Academies –

Activity Station Sponsor

OptiGo – Free Youth Eye

Screenings

SL Hauling & Renovations –

Environmental Services Sponsor

Swingin’ Weiners

Giuseppe’s Italian Ice

Connecting Kids to Meals

Imagination Station

Brightside Academy

Buckeye Broadband

Building Futures Childcare

City of Toledo Environmental Services

Festival Concert Vendors

Black Dress Candle Co

Divine Design by Angela Farmasi

Lori’s Dashiki’s Stand On Your Own Two Feet

Sweet Mama’s Mambo Sauce

Temporary Tattoos

Clarence Smith Community Choir

Compassion Health Toledo

Early Head Start Lucas County

Equitas Health

Humana Healthy Horizons

Lucas County Children Services

Lucas County Family Council/ Early Head Start

Lucas County Job and Family Services

N-Sync

Owens Community College

TRIO Programs

Queen Team Models Queens

Village

Tarta

Toledo Fire & Rescue Toledo

Opera

Toledo Lucas County

Public Library

Toledo Zoo

Thomas M. Wernert Center

United Way of Greater Toledo, African American Leadership Council

VEO

Zepf Center

Food Trucks

Gessepi Ice

Jojo’s

Kausion’s Kitchen LLC

Mustache Mikes

O’Henry’s Kitchen on Wheels

Phillips + Phillips

Swingin’ Weiners

Lucas County Commissioners

Roshawn Jones Enterprises

Local Matters.

You get the picture. No one brings you more local news, sports, and entertainment.

Loc al Matters.

eBlade

You get the picture. No one brings you more local news, sports, and entertainment.

eBlade

Our Honorees

Matthew Killam

Matthew Killam, Chief Outreach Officer has been with Metroparks Toledo for 5 years and has made quite the impact.

As a member of Senior Staff, Matthew oversees the Outreach Team and challenges them on a daily basis to build community relationships, develop unique experiences and obtain alternative funding.

His innovation and leadership can be seen in a portable climbing wall, a treehouse village or while leading a hard hat tour of Glass City Metropark.

His energy and enthusiasm are contagious and fun. All part of the reason Metroparks Toledo receives 7 million visits each year. And was named the #1 Park District in America.

Velma Pryor

Velma Calhoun Pryor was born and raised in Elyria, OH. She attended and graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising. Specializing in Retail & Fashion Merchandising Management.

She is the wife of Willie Pryor, as well as a mother and grandmother. Her prior experience and positions include: Lead Financial Advisor, Store Manager, Co-Manager and Domestic Engineer.

For the past 10 years, Velma has worked as the Financial Assistant for Friendship Baptist Church. She works closely with the executive board of the church under the leadership of Pastor Duane C. Tisdale. She strives to have a positive attitude and energy to encourage others. Velma prides herself on being an intercessor through prayer for her family, friends and community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and attending various styles of fitness classes.

Making the communities we serve a Fifth Third better® .

Fifth Third Bank is a proud supporter of the 18th Annual African American Festival.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

Our Honorees

Valerie Simmons-Walston

Valerie Simmons-Walston is a passionate student advocate and has served in key leadership roles at five Universities to include Johnson & Wales University, Old Dominion University, Brenau Women’s College and the University of Toledo.

At UToledo her roles have included, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs/ Vice Provost, Associate Vice President of Student Services, and Incident Command Operations Chief, supervising housing and other student-related matters linked to covid-19.

Recently she has been elevated to the role of Special Advisor to the President on all matters related to Community Engagement. Walston attended Kent State University where she earned a B.A. in Sociology and received a M.A. in Counseling from Hampton University. She is currently working toward a doctorate in higher education at Franklin University in Columbus.

In her spare hours, Valerie is entertained by her lovable Cocker Spaniel, Felly, and is an avid Zumba aficionado. Valerie has a great sense of humor, a contagious personality, a zest for life, and is committed to always improving the student experience.

Our Honorees

Elder Reggie Williams

Elder Williams was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, to Golwin and Bernadine Williams. He is the eldest of six children. His passion is reading the WORD of God, playing chess, fishing, gardening, and spending time with family. Elder Williams is married to Wenona Pryor-Williams and has two children, Ashante (Keylan) Crawford, and Zaniel Williams. Also, He is a proud grandfather of Kairo Crawford.

Elder Williams worked for Pilkington, an automotive glass company, for ten years in quality control as an inspector. He suffered two herniated discs and received back surgery in 2010. After surgery, he was told that “he wouldn’t walk again,” But God!!! Three years later, he put away the walker and the cane and stood on his own two feet. From then on, he insisted on reinventing himself because he couldn’t return to work in the factory.

Before all this, Elder Williams was licensed as a minister by Superintendent Nehemiah Howard of Mt. Zion COGIC before moving to Toledo, Ohio. In 2014, Elder Williams was ordained by Bishop Edward T. Cook of Ohio North First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Ministry is his passion, and serving the people is deeply rooted in his heart. Elder Williams served as the Assistant Pastor at Dominion Fellowship Church under Elder John Hobbs III Pastor. In addition, he served faithfully as a Trustee, Minister of Outreach, church choir, district choir, and state choir member.

Elder Williams developed a fondness for mentoring youth. He always stated that he had never seen that puzzle piece in his puzzle. However, the need for an inspiring man of color to be present in the youth’s eyes was what the Most-High God impressed upon him. Therefore, he worked as the in-school suspension coordinator for JLJ (Juveniles Living Justly). Behind the closed doors of the schools of employment, a creative framework to advocate for youth in the school-to-prison pipeline. He showed students that he cared and deterred youth from coming to in-school suspension. His claim to how he accomplished that was that “he’s going to make your hand hurt, your head hurt, and your stomach hurt.” Moreover, he had a 70% reduction in students in school suspension.

Simultaneously working in the schools, he started with The Frederick Douglass Community Association (FDCA) in April 2014 as a general board member. After six months of being on the board, he was voted Board President. Elder Williams served in that position till February 2018, upon his resignation. Soon after, he was asked to come back as the Executive Director of “The Doug” in August 2018 and is currently serving in this role.

While serving at the Frederick Douglass Community Center, Elder Williams was given a vision for uplifting the community. But, he states, “if the Most-High God gives you a vision, He has to provide you with the PROVISION”!!! In 2020, after George Floyd’s murder, Elder Williams was asked to speak in front of the Toledo Police Station by the Mayor of Toledo. At that point, activism was sparked to no longer keep his mouth shut concerning violence, gun violence, and trauma inflicted upon our people.

Therefore, he advocated on behalf of The Doug for upgrades to the facility. The community center needed a significant overhaul because the building was in terrible shape and had not been touched since 1976. Finally, the opportunity came when Elder Williams presented his vision to the City Council, the Mayor, and a State House of Representative member. After deliberation, a unanimous decision from City Council awarded the Frederick Douglass Community Association $2,500,000.00

In his accomplishments thus far: Elder Williams was awarded the Minority Executive Leadership Certificate and the Nonprofit Management Certificate from The Center for Nonprofit. He graduated from the Toledo Neighborhood Capacity Building Institute and received the MLK Legacy Award and The Spirit of Truth Community Service Award.

Elder Williams was recognized with the First Juneteenth Changemaker Award by the Toledo Museum of Art. He also received the FDCA President Award at the 103rd Anniversary of the Frederick Douglass Community Association.

In his words….” it takes money to do ministry.” So, invest your time, skills, talents, networking capabilities, knowledge, wisdom, and money to help our communities. Because without YOU, there is NO US.

Mary Helen Darah Taylor Ambassador Toledo

Victoria Kimmel

Joan Brown Kose Taylor Ambassador Findlay

Terry Crosby Taylor Ambassador Toledo

Tom Cole Taylor Ambassador Toledo

Stephen Taylor

You may qualify for the Homestead Property Tax Reduction

• 65 or turn 65 by the end of the year; OR

• Permanently and Totally disabled status; OR

• Surviving Spouse (Homesteaded spouse dies and surviving spouse at least 59 years old);

AND

• Ohio Modified Adjusted Gross Income of $36,100 or less

OR

• 100% disabled or compensated at 100% disability by the VA for service connected disabilities (no age or income requirement)

OR

• Surviving spouse of a Public Service Officer who was killed in the line of duty (no age or income requirement)

Erie Home is a proud supporter of The 18th Annual African American Festival.

LUCASCOUNTY AUDITOR

Anita Lopez, Lucas County Auditor

Where community comes together, Community is Key

At Key, we enjoy living and working in our community for the same reasons you do. That’s why we support programs that ensure our community’s way of living remains our treasured way of life.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union is to achieve economic empowerment through education for its members, to be active partners in the community.

Founder/CEO/Treasurer

Dr. Suzette Cowell