2023 LoveAkron Program Booklet

Co-Chairs

JAIME & ROB BLAIR

Rob and Jaime Blair have been in ministry and public service a combined 38 years. They are driven by the desire to connect with people and lead them to a deeper understanding of Jesus and who He created them to be. Rob currently serves as the Worship and Technical Arts Director at Hope Community Church and enjoys sharing the beauty of God’s creation through nature photography. Jaime is the CEO of RAHAB Ministries and finds great joy in listening, friendships, and trail running. They have a beloved daughter, Faith, and make their home in Munroe Falls.

DEANTE & LESA LAVENDER

LEAD PASTORS

Pastor Deante Lavender feels that he is called to motivate, uplift, and elevate the spirit and mind of anyone who listens. In every interaction, conversation, speech, or sermon his goal is to tell the truth in a way that people can understand the will of God. Pastor Arnalesa Lavender’s speaking and preaching ability spans and connects across generations and she has been given the gift to connect with the hearts of those who hear her messages. She operates in the gift of faith, her wisdom is beyond her years and anyone who sits to hear her speak will hear God’s heart flow from her lips. They have two beautiful children: Liana Grace and Deante Jr. Together, Pastors Lav and Lesa believe that the spirit of God is not limited to the church. They believe that strong Christians are needed in the corporate world, the judicial system, Hollywood, and beyond. They are doing their best to spread the message of Jesus Christ to their sphere of influence and then the world.

Event Itinerary

BRUNCH BUFFET IS OPEN & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Special Guest: Kofi B., Two-Time Emmy® Nominated Pianist

LOVE AKRON FIELDS OF LOVE

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Honorary Co-Chairs

Pastors Deante and Arnalesa Lavender

Mr. and Mrs. Rob and Jaime Blair

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Kingdom Title Solutions

ONECITY

Christian Mobilization Field

THE LEAST OF THESE

Children and Families Field

UNITED THROUGH LOVE

Racial Reconciliation Field

BRIDGE BUILDER SPONSOR

Peg’s Foundation and United Way Summit Medina

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Human Health & Wellness Field

AWARD PRESENTATION

Dave Beasley, Love Akron Board Chair

Vice President, Commercial Tires - North America at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

CHANGE MAKER AWARDS

Rev. Dr. Leslie Parker Barnes

Captain Michael Miller

Joseph Tucker

Steve Wilt

PASTOR LARSON & PASTOR FOWLER ALLIES AWARDS

Bishop Joey Johnson

Pastor Jeff Bogue

JUDGE BRENDA BURNHAM UNRUH SERVANT LEADER AWARD

The Honorable Judge Todd McKenney

LOVE AKRON IMPACT VIDEO

KEMP BOYD, LOVE AKRON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

AN INVITATION TO GET INVOLVED “A Community Call to Action”

NEXT GENERATION YOUTH CHANGE MAKER AWARD

The LockerRoom Experience North High School

THE BLESSING

Bishop Samuel Hampton II

Building Bridge Sponsor

TWO-TIME EMMY® NOMINATED PIANIST

Photo credit - Really Goody Studios Ramahn Wilder

Kofi B. is a 23 year-old, 2x Emmy ® Nominated musician, producer, and actor born & raised in Akron, Ohio. Kofi B’s creative approach to music and public speaking has garnered the attention of millions globally on social media. In 2018, Kofi joined the ranks of ‘Blackish’ star Anthony Anderson, R&B songstresses Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Hudson, and Alicia Keys winning the Silver medal in the NAACP ACT-SO National Competition.

While music remains at the core, Kofi’s accolades extend beyond the big stage. In 2021, Kofi launched his media production company, BlaBoak Ventures. By 2022, Kofi and BlaBoak Ventures received two Emmy ® Nominations from the Great Lakes Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for interviews and musical content produced under his company.

In 2022, Kofi joined the ranks of Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, H.E.R. and James Brown as the official winner of the 88th Season of the Apollo Theater’s “Amateur Night At The Apollo” Competition. As a result, Kofi was the recipient of a $20,000 Grand Prize courtesy of the famed theater.

Recently, Kofi made his first acting debut on the big screens in the blockbuster film, “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, where he played the late singer’s pianist in the movie, while also working alongside Houston’s music director Rickey Minor in assisting with composing music in the film as well.

Currently, Kofi is headlining his first nation-wide music tour titled the “Just Play It Tour” & is one of the newest contestants on NBC’s hit television show, “America’s Got Talent”.

He aims to continue showcasing his array of talents to the masses and continuously show the world what “The Other Kid From Akron’’ is made of.

Change Maker Award

REV. DR. LESLIE PARKER BARNES

Founder and Executive Director, Emeritus of the Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshops (YEPAW). A native of Akron, Ohio, she graduated from Akron Public Schools and continued her education at Bowling Green State University. After receiving an Associate Degree in Applied Business she furthered her education at the McCreary Center for Black Religious Studies receiving a diploma in Black Religious Studies. She then went on to obtain a Master of Divinity degree from Ashland Theological Seminary and received her Doctorate in Worship from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in June of 2016. Dr. Barnes serves as the Minister of Praise & Worship Arts at Arlington Church of God in Akron and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Leslie is married to Ted Barnes and they have four children, Rochelle, Rachel, Theo, Kimberly and grandsons, Trey Immanuel Barnes and Kevin Johnson Jr. Having begun with only approximately 70 young people, YEPAW grew to serve as many as 500 registered participants from all over the country in a single year (2007). With 2024 marking 35 years of Ministry, YEPAW has hosted over 5,000 participants and volunteers and launched five programs.

Change Maker Award

CAPTAIN MICHAEL MILLER

A vested community member, born, raised and resident in the City of Akron. He is one of five siblings raised in a single-parent household. Michael attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (1998) and a Master’s in Public Administration (2004). Michael has approached his nearly 25 years of service as a member of the Akron Police Department as a servant leader. He began his career as a police officer in 1999 and was assigned to the patrol division. Michael serves as both the Public Information Officer and assistant commander in the Community Relations Department. In 2019, Michael was promoted to Lieutenant and recently to Captain, which he intends to use as a platform to engage the community further to build a strong Akron. One of Michael’s favorite quotes is from Abraham Lincoln: “I will study and prepare, and perhaps one day my chance will come.” During his career, Michael has received numerous awards and commendations. However, his crowning achievement was buying his mother, a retired nurse, a house, which was his lifelong dream. Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and two exceptional children: a daughter, 13, and a son, 9.

Change Maker Award

JOSEPH TUCKER

Joe Tucker has served as Executive Director of South Street Ministries since 2012 and has worked within the Summit Lake community for over a decade, developing the South Street Bike Shop program, overseeing youth programming, and working with collaborative projects such as the Summit Lake Farmers Market and other large-group projects. With a Masters of Applied Science degree in Applied Mathematics from The University of Akron, Joe utilizes strategic thinking, logic, and process management to oversee community transformation. Joe is a strategic collaborator who works with varied and diverse groups to enact community investment, service, and renewal. Joe is a Christian Community Development practitioner who believes that community investment and just development are a theological value and practice. Having overseen the development of the Front Porch site and Cafe, Joe has served as the leader for physical restoration projects of vacant properties, including Front Porch Site and Cafe. An alumnus of Garfield High School, Joe lives across the street with his wife and two sons, daughter, and his dog Baxter.

Change Maker Award

STEVE WILT

Steve Wilt joined CAPTRUST in 2009, opening the CAPTRUST Akron office. As an institutional advisor, Steve provides investment advisory services to fiduciaries of corporate retirement plans, and his passion for helping hard working Americans achieve retirement success has led to extensive industry recognition. He is a national speaker on retirement issues. The CAPTRUST Akron Team has been recognized in Barron’s over the last five years as one of the top 50 institutional advisor teams in the country. Steve’s other passion is working with nonprofits, helping them to deliver on their mission and to fundraise. He serves as a board member for the Greater Akron Chamber and the United Way of Summit and Medina Counties. He is the Chair of the United Way Tocqueville Society and is on the Executive Committee. He is a graduate of The University of Akron where he attained his BSBA in International Marketing and was awarded the “2012 Simonetti Distinguished Alumni Award”. Steve earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation through The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Steve and his wife, Holly, live in West Akron and have two children, Charlotte and Charlie.

Allies Awards

BISHOP JOEY JOHNSON

Bishop Johnson is founder and preaching pastor of The House of the Lord Church which he founded in 1974. Originally with only four members, the church has grown to over 7,000 members and an average Sunday morning worship of 750 in two services. The church, along with East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation and Paul Testa, also co-owns a 47,000 square foot strip mall, across the street from the church, which houses retail space and 51 low-income, senior citizen apartments. All of this sits on 22 acres of land. With a passion for people and learning, Bishop Johnson has extensive training and multiple certifications in leadership, communication, team building, and psychology (including self-awareness, self-esteem and assessments). Bishop Johnson also attended and received accreditation from The University of Akron in Industrial Management & Associates in Applied Technology and the International Bible Institute & Seminary in Bachelor of Bible Theology. Bishop Johnson is an author with twelve publications, a widely sought out speaker and recipient of many awards. On September 8, 2020 the City of Akron and The House of the Lord family honored his service and contribution to the City of Akron and particularly the West Akron community by renaming Diagonal Road (between S. Hawkins Ave and Frederick Blvd) the “Bishop FJ Johnson II Boulevard”.

Allies Awards

PASTOR JEFF BOGUE

Dr. Jeff. Bogue is a graduate of Grace College and Seminary. He is the Senior Pastor of Grace Church of Greater Akron and President of Momentum Ministry Partners. Grace Church is a church-planting network, active in their evangelical mission of “30 in 30”: planting 30 campuses in 30 years. Jeff leads a team to raise up pastors, missionaries, and church leaders to staff ministry works throughout the Kingdom of God. He counts it a privilege to work alongside this staff as well as Grace College in the development of these young leaders. Since 1993, Jeff has served at Grace Church with his wife, Heidi. They have five sons, one daughter, and three daughters in-law. His proudest titles are that of husband and father, and he loves working alongside his family to tangibly express God’s love in ways that make Jesus make sense. Dr. Bogue is the author of the books: 5 Assumptions About God and Why They Are Wrong; ReSet: Why Discipleship Isn’t About Trying Harder; Living Naked: How an Ordinary Person Can Live an Extraordinary Life; One Step Discipleship Journal; and Assume I Know Nothing: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding the Story of God.

Servant Leader Award

JUDGE TODD MCKENNEY

Judge McKenney serves as Presiding Administrative Judge of the Barberton Municipal Court. A life-long resident of Summit County, Judge McKenney graduated from Manchester High School (1982), Hiram College, BA, Magna Cum Laude (1986) and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from The Ohio State University College of Law (1989). Judge McKenney has served the residents of the Barberton Municipal Court District in the past as a former New Franklin City Council member, State Representative for the 43rd District of Ohio and Judge of the Summit County Common Pleas Court Probate Division. Judge McKenney has been active in the community and formerly served on the Board of Trustees of The Chapel, the International Institute of Akron, Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop (YEPAW), Akron Area YMCA Trustee, Green Family YMCA Advisory Board, Lake Anna YMCA Capital Campaign and Love Akron. Judge McKenney currently serves as a Trustee for the Akron Bar Association, Akron Bar Foundation Fellow and as a Board Member for Faithful Servants, free medical clinic. Judge McKenney is a lifelong resident of Summit County. He and his wife Bethany have two children.

Next Generation Youth Change Maker Award

Congratulations North High School LockerRoom on your efforts and events, which included:

• Red Carpet Return

• Attendance Incentives

• Academic Improvement Recognition Event

Allies and Collaborative Sponsors

Akron Area YMCA

Akron Community Foundation

Arlington Church of God

David and Carmen Beasley

Evan Perrow

Good Place Holdings

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Leadership Akron

Marvin & Marsha Sharpless

SeibertKeck Insurance Partners

Summit County Jobs & Family Services

University Of Akron

Akron Police Department

Akron Public Schools

Anonymous

CBMC

Chapel Hill Christian School

Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Community of Christ Church

Doug and Kathy Kohl

Judge Donna Carr

Emmanuel Christian Academy

Good Place Institute

Holiness Church of Christ

Deliverance Center

The House of the Lord

Huntington Bank

Jack and Fran Doll

NAMI

RAHAB

Remedy Church

Rayl Charitable Organization

Red Oak Behavioral Health

Shelter Care

Roetzel & Andress,LPA

Scott Kerekes

South Street Ministries

Summit County Childrens Service

Summit County

Developmental Disabilities

Summit County Partnership

TCT Television Station (In honor of Dr. Garth Coonce)

The BMD Foundation

YEPAW

Marvin & Marsha Sharpless

PNC Bank

Patron Ticket Sponsors

Christine Mayer

Chuck Mullen

Constance Dubick

Deborah Owens - Fink

Derran Wimer

Gloria Rodgers

Herman Hill

Jacqueline Silas-Butler

Kristin Toth

Lauria Zuckerman

Marie Curry

Molly Stock

Paula Christ

Shanon Siegferth

Shirley Smith

Steve Hockstra

Steven McGarrity

Ted Wetzel

Judge Katarina Cook

Thomas Fuller

Tim Dimoff

Virginia Abell

Special Thanks to our Partners

None of this is possible without your financial support. None of this is achievable without your personal involvement. We are grateful for all the support and involvement from partners, from sponsors, from volunteers and from a committed community.