November 2018 Edition - Special Election Issue

Columbus & Dayton

FREE

November 2018 2018 ELECTION EDITION

21

The Pursuit of Truth, Voting, and The Information Age

27

God of The Oppressed: A Film By Dante James

31

Black Millennials: Why Our Vote Matters

By Eric Johnson, PhD

By Carl W. Kenney II

By Cayla Nicole Burton

OHIO DEMOCRATS

MELODY J. STEWART

for Justice of the Supreme Court

STEVE DETTELBACH for Attorney General

ZACK SPACE

for Auditor of State

SHERROD BROWN For U.S. Senate

Access to affordable health care

Jobs with a living wage

ROB RICHARDSON for Treasurer of State

KATHLEEN CLYDE for Secretary of State

MICHAEL P. DONNELLY

for Justice of the Supreme Court

RICH CORDRAY & BETTY SUTTON

for Governor & Lt. Governor

Family economic security

Access to quality education and job trainning

IWillVote.com/OH

PUBLISHER’S PAGE Founder & Publisher Ray Miller

Layout & Design Ray Miller, III

Assistant Editor Ray Miller, III

Creative Consultant Rod Harris

Distribution Manager Ronald Burke

Student Intern Jada Respress

Lead Photographer Steve Harrison

Contributing Editors Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens Lisa Benton, MD, MPH Rodney Q. Blount, Jr., MA Benette Waugh DeCoux Bill Dodson, MBA Pete Donohue Dr. Kevin Dudley Julia Haskins Stephanie Hightower John Hudak Ernestine Jackson Robin A. Jones, PhD Cecil Jones, MBA Rev. Fred LaMarr Jaqueline Lewis-Lyons, PsyD Darren Lundy, MBA William McCoy, MPA Dr. Mysheika W. Roberts, MPH Zach Schiller Senator Charleta B. Tavares

The Columbus African American news journal was founded by Ray Miller on January 10, 2011

The Columbus & Dayton African American 503 S. High Street - Suite 102

Well, the 2018 Mid-Term Elections are finally upon us. Those of us who are conscious have had to endure vicious and vitriolic political advertisements for more than a year.

Attack, counter attack, falsely accuse, demonize, misrepresent, lie, deceive and disgrace one’s opponent is the order of the day. But, thank God, this chapter in American politics is finally coming to an end. Unfortunately, the same process will commence, once again, as soon as the votes have been tabulated on November 6, 2018. The day after the election, the bell will ring, and with essentially a pavlovian response to uncluttered airwaves, the chase will commence for election to local, state, and national offices--particularly, the office of President of the United States of America. We will quickly know what the aspirants want to get. It will be far more difficult to ascertain what they are willing to give.

This is our Special Election edition of The Columbus & Dayton African American. We have covered the candidates, explored their backgrounds, and drawn our conclusions on who will best serve our community in an honest and forthright manner. Allow me to share a brief story with you to frame our approach to this task. I love reading, learning, and taking action. In so doing, I was presented the other day with a brilliantly written, six page, single-spaced email from a very bright gentleman with whom I am somewhat familiar. Within the body of his email, titled, “Building Community Through Unity” he shares a powerful lesson from the late Nelson Mandela, taken from the South African President’s autobiography entitled, “Long Walk To Freedom.” Mandela speaks: “Because the WNLA (Witwatersrand Native Labor Association) was a way station for visiting chiefs, I had the privilege of meeting tribal leaders from all over southern Africa. I recall on one occasion meeting the queen regent of Basutoland, or what is now Lesotho, Mantsebo Moshweshwe. She was accompanied by two chiefs, both of whom knew Sabata’s father, Jongilizwe. I asked them about Jongilizwe, and for about an hour I seemed to be back in Thembuland as they told colorful tales about his early years.

The queen took special notice of me and at one point addressed me directly, but she spoke in Sesotho, a language in which I knew few words. Sesotho is the language of the Sotho people as well as the Tswana, a large number of whom live in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. She looked at me with incredulity, and then said in English, “What kind of lawyer and leader will you be who cannot speak the language of your own people?” I had no response. The question embarrassed and sobered me; it made me realize my parochialism and just how unprepared I was for the task of serving my people. I had unconsciously succumbed to the ethnic divisions fostered by the white government and I did not know how to speak to my own kith and kin. Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry, or savor their songs. I again realized that we were not different people with separate languages; we were one people, with different tongues.”

What kind of leader will you be who cannot speak the language of your own people? That is the defining question, not only for those whom you will see pictured in the pages of this publication; but for those who profess to be leaders--elected, selected, and appointed.

We need leaders who put God first in their lives.

We need leaders who hunger to know the needs of the people.

We need leaders who genuinely want to be amongst their constituents; to listen to them and respond to their needs.

• We need leaders who know they are called to speak clearly and forcefully for the equality and dignity of all people; and • We need leaders who are not afraid to lose their “position” fighting for right, and justice, and truth.

• • •

The Columbus & Dayton African American enthusiastically endorses the following candidates for election to office: Richard Cordray for Governor and Betty Sutton for Lieutenant Governor. I know both of these individuals well. I served with both of them as Members of the Ohio House of Representatives.

They meet the criteria established above--brilliant, committed, thoughtful and results-oriented. Moreover, they speak the language of the people.

Sherrod Brown is a fighter for fairness and justice and must be returned to his position as a leader in the United States Senate. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty knows her district, communicates with her constituents, is highly visible and works with all segments of the Central Ohio community. Rob Richardson for Treasurer of State, Melody Stewart for Justice of the Supreme Court, Zack Space for Auditor of State, and my long-time friend for life, Hearcel Craig for State Senator, will all serve us well in their respective positions and the office for which they seek.

Further, The Columbus & Dayton African American strongly endorses Erica Crawley for State Representative (26th Dist.), Marilyn Brown for County Commissioner, Michael Stinziano for County Auditor, Laurel Beatty Blunt, Jaiza Page, Kim Brown, Stephen McIntosh, Terri Jamison, and Monica Hawkins for Judge and we urge our community to Vote YES on Issue 1. Finally, while not endorsing her, we want to commend Michele Reynolds on putting forth a very sound candidacy and we encourage her to continue serving our community and become even more visible within Franklin County.

VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018.

With Appreciation and Respect,

Columbus, Ohio 43215 Office: 614.826.2254 editor@columbusafricanamerican.com www.CAANJ.com

Ray Miller Founder & Publisher 3

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

In This Issue

24

Legislative Update: Elections – Democracy In Action

25

“Apathy”

25

The Increasing Federal Deficit, Your Financial Well-Being, and Why the Midterm Elections Matter

26

Countdown to the 2018 Mid-Term Elections

27

God of The Oppressed

28

Christian Men: Building a Community of Believers Men’s Conference Recap

We have an obligation... GO VOTE!

31

Our Vote Matters

32

ELECTION 2018: Go Vote and Keep Moving to Your Goals

32

ELECTION 2018: Examining Issue 1: Which Lens Should I Use? Lincoln

33

COMMUNITY: Library opens new Martin Luther King Branch

Erica Crawley

6

Zack Space

17

Dr. Michele Reynolds

7

Congresswoman Joyce

18

Voting Laws and

Beatty

Constitutional

Representative Hearcel F.

Amendments: A Right – A

Craig

Privilege – A Responsibility

Commissioner Marilyn

Judge Terri Jamison

11

Jaiza Page

15

Councilman Michael

AARP Ohio Releases 2018 Gubernatorial Video Voters’

Brown 10

Guide 21

The Pursuit of Truth, Voting, and The Information Age

Stinziano

32

23

Examining Issue 1: Which Lens Should I Use?

33

Library opens new Martin Luther King Branch

34

Book Bags & E-Readers

35

Survey On Benefits Of Plan for Equitable, Free College

16

19

Go Vote and Keep Moving to Your Goals

35

Richard Cordray

9

32

Outdoor Play

5

8

Black Millennials: Why

Your Vote – What is It Worth?

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

4

36

Fighting for Healthcare Justice – Awards Announced

37

Cols. Community Events

38

Dayton Community Events

All contents of this news journal are copyrighted © 2015; all rights reserved. Title registration with the U.S. Patent Office pending. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited.

Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addresses envelope bearing sufficient postage. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials.

ELECTION 2018 RICHARD CORDRAY

I’m running for Governor of Ohio to address the kitchen table issues that are top of mind for most Ohioans. We need greater access to affordable health care, improved education and training for ourselves and our children, and economic opportunity that reaches more Ohioans who feel left behind or left out.

I have spent years taking on special interests and big financial companies, and I have a proven record of standing on your side to see that you are treated fairly. That is exactly what I will do for Ohio.

I learned about public service from my parents. They spent their careers working on behalf of people with disabilities. My Mom was a teacher and social worker. My Dad helped people with developmental disabilities live their lives with dignity. Their example taught me that government can be a powerful force for good – and it’s why I have chosen to devote my life to public service.

As Ohio Solicitor General, I fought to protect our communities from the threats posed by hatred and bigotry. We successfully defended Ohio’s hate crimes law in the U.S. and Ohio Supreme Courts. I personally led the legal fight to drive the Ku Klux Klan out of central and southern Ohio in 1993 and 1994 when they were aggressively organizing and recruiting here. As a legislator, I made stalking a crime

and worked to reform death penalty jury selection, entrapment laws, and treatment of juvenile suspects.

As Ohio Treasurer, my team and I worked to save thousands of people’s homes from foreclosure, when African-American families were being hit the hardest. As Ohio Attorney General, we won major cases against Wall Street that brought back $2 billion for Ohio retirees.

After the financial crisis, when greed and fraud had crashed the economy, President Barack Obama wanted to have a consumer watchdog agency look out for all of us.

He appointed me to be the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where we gave people a voice and protected them against predatory lending. We enforced the fair lending laws also, stopping banks from engaging in redlining and discriminatory practices in car loans and mortgage loans. Our actions against the nation’s largest financial institutions forced them to repay $12 billion to over 30 million Americans who had been cheated. That’s good government that works not just for some of us, but for all of us.

5

We need to make serious changes in Ohio’s government to make it work for the people. We need to make community college free for every student to make the most of their talents and abilities. We need to protect the Affordable Care Act and the Children’s Health Insurance Program so people can get the kind of health care they need and depend on. We need to stop giving more tax breaks to the wealthiest Ohioans and focus on growing our small businesses that create most new jobs. And we need to pass my comprehensive plan to reduce the gun violence by tightening gun laws and improving school safety. I will follow up on work we were doing under President Obama on criminal justice reform, to get nonviolent drug offenders the help they need, not waste their lives in state prisons.

I have been fighting for justice and fairness for over 30 years, and I have the proven record and new ideas that will move Ohio forward.

I am grateful to have earned the endorsement of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and the Baptist Ministerial Alliance. I will work with our community leaders and faith leaders to address the needs of the African-American community.

We can do so much better.

I respectfully ask for your vote on Nov 6 to be the next Governor of Ohio.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

ELECTION 2018

ZACK SPACE FOR OHIO AUDITOR Zack Space was born and raised in the small eastern Ohio town of Dover. After graduating from Kenyon College, then earning a law degree at The Ohio State University, he returned to Dover and practiced law for nearly 20 years, during which time he served as a Public Defender and as Dover’s City Law Director.

In 2006, he was elected to serve as the Congressman from Ohio’s 18th District, comprising 16 counties in rural southeastern Ohio.

During his tenure in Congress, Zack championed working class Ohioans, and was instrumental in bringing broadband technology, employment opportunities, and infrastructure improvements to his district. Upon leaving Congress in 2011, Zack joined the prestigious Columbus law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease where he worked with local governments, charitable organizations, and the private sector to promote economic development across Ohio.

Zack is running to serve as Ohio’s next Auditor of State, where he will use the broad power of the office to deliver much needed reform to state government. Zack is committed to shining a light on the corruptive influence of money in politics, ending extreme partisan gerrymandering, and serving as a watchdog for hardworking Ohio families.

Z

ack is running to serve as Ohio’s next Auditor of State, where he will use the broad power of the office to deliver much needed reform to state government. Zack is committed to shining a light on the corruptive influence of money in politics, ending extreme partisan gerrymandering, and serving as a watchdog for hardworking Ohio families.

following the law (or breaking it), and (3) whether our tax dollars can be spent better and more efficiently.

Financial audits are conducted annually or biennially and report on the accuracy of public offices’ financial statements. This is what most people think of when they hear the word “audit,” but the Auditor’s office also conducts special audits when so requested or when doing so is in the public ficials act in the best interests of interest. Special audits are highly all Ohioans. focused, and investigate whether The Auditor of State – the public officials are following the people’s representative in Ohio’s law. Lastly, the Auditor’s office government – does this by inves- conducts performance audits tigating and reporting on: (1) how that look for more efficient ways public officials are spending our to provide better, higher-quality tax dollars, (2) whether they are public services.

The Auditor’s office is the people’s watchdog. We entrust our public officials with our laws and our tax dollars. In order to make sure they act as good stewards, the Ohio Constitution created the Auditor’s office, an independent office that ensures our public of-

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

6

ELECTION 2018

CONGRESSWOMAN JOYCE BEATTY As Representative of Ohio’s Third Congressional District, I am working hard as YOUR voice in the United States Congress.

When I was first elected in 2012, I made a promise to fight for the you, your family, and the entire community I proudly represent and serve with honor. I have focused all of my efforts on following through on that promise.

To date, I have recovered more than $2.54 million in federal funds owed to constituents, secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants to improve affordable housing and early education, hosted countless events across the entire Third district, and responded to nearly 200,000 letters, emails, faxes, and telephone calls. I also am working tirelessly to tackle Ohio’s infant mortality crisis, address youth homelessness, and help modernize Central Ohio’s public transportation system. In the community, I have held numerous town halls, telephone town halls, community conversations, listening sessions and roundtables on topics ranging from infant mortality to healthcare, job creation and economic development to seniors and veterans to name just a few.

In Congress, as a member of the exclusive Committee on Financial Services, and the powerful Congressional Black Caucus,

I

provide more affordable housing, and increase access to borrowing and home ownership. I also am proud to serve as co-chair of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, deputy vice-chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, vice-chair of the Democratic Women’s Working Group, and founder and co-chair of the Congressional Civility and Respect I am spearheading efforts to help Caucus. ensure that minorities interests are In addition, I have authored represented in the financial servic- 61 bills, cosponsored over 1,200 es, housing and insurance sectors. pieces of legislation, and particiMy efforts include working to pated in hundreds of congressiostrengthen the Office of Minority nal hearings, roundtables, and and Women Inclusion (OMWI), information sessions. Moreover,

will not rest until we fix these disparities that persist in our country because every child and every family deserve an equal chance to live the American Dream.

7

four of my bills have been signed into law, including my bill to curb the scourge of human trafficking, another making the tax deduction permanent for out-of-pocket expenses paid by elementary teachers, and most recently a bipartisan bill officially designating the new National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio.

I have delivered a lot, but, there is more work to do.

Still today, too many of our young people are unable to afford a college-education or get access to workforce training. Too many families are struggling to make ends meet—let alone afford high quality healthcare. Too many Americans are working more for the same or less pay, and too many African-Americans, Latinos, and minorities are finding it harder to vote—not easier.

That is why I will not rest until we fix these disparities that persist in our country because every child and every family deserve an equal chance to live the American Dream. I will continue to fight for better wages, better jobs, better healthcare, and a better future for all hardworking families. Finally, and most importantly, I will do everything in my power to ensure that every American has full and equal access to the ballot box.

We have made significant progress. And, our work continues.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

ELECTION 2018

HEARCEL F. CRAIG FOR STATE SENATOR Representative Hearcel F. Craig has dedicated his career to building a stronger Columbus community and helping others. A dedicated advocate for the people of the 26th House District and all residents of Ohio, Representative Craig currently serves as the Ranking Member of the Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. In addition, he serves as a member of the Public Utilities, Aging and Long Term Care, and the Financial Institutions, Housing, and Urban Development Committees. Representative Craig also serves on the Ohio Infant Mortality Commission, the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, the BRAC and Military Affairs Task Force, and the B.U.I.L.D. Steering Committee.

Before being elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2014, Craig served as a Columbus City Councilmember in a variety of capacities from 2007-2014, including becoming President Pro Tempore, as well as Committee Chair for the Veterans Affairs, Recreation and Parks, Public Service and Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Judiciary. Representative Craig served in the United States Army from 1970-1972.

For more than three decades Representative Craig has volun-

I

f elected to serve the residents of the 15th Senate District, Representative Craig is committed to continuing to focus his work on the issues surrounding poverty.

of the Columbus Public Schools Equity Task Force, the Columbus State Community College Department of Business and Industry Technology Curriculum Committee, the Southside Learning and Development Center’s Board of Trustees, the Ohio Hunger Task Force Board of Trustees, and the Columbus Cultural Arts Center Board of Trustees. He recently teered his time as a trustee on served on the board of Military numerous community service Veterans Resource Center. He boards, many focused on educa- served as board chair for the tion. He has served as a member Alliance for Cooperative Jus-

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

8

tice, board chair for the Franklin County Prevention Institute, and chair of the State Education Committee for the Columbus Chapter of the NAACP. Representative Craig was named the 2011 Public Servant of the Year by Community Shares of Mid-Ohio.

Representative Craig earned a Master of Science in Administration degree from Central Michigan University and has pursued graduate studies in Theology at the Ashland Theological Seminary. He was a Join Together National Leadership Fellow at Boston University School of Public Health.

If elected to serve the residents of the 15th Senate District, Representative Craig is committed to continuing to focus his work on the issues surrounding poverty.

Throughout his time in public service, Representative Craig has worked to address the issues that are vital to the wellbeing of families in our community. He has helped to expand services to veterans, advocated for transparency and accountability in our schools, and worked to combat the opioid crisis that is plaguing our neighborhoods. There is still a great deal of work to be done, and Representative Craig would be honored to continue to work with you to make our state even better.

ELECTION 2018

COMMISSIONER MARILYN BROWN Commissioner Marilyn Brown knows that every resident of Franklin County deserves a high quality of life, built on the cornerstones of inclusive economic development and social justice.

Marilyn is committed to advancing policies and actions that create and retain good jobs for Franklin County residents as the surest path to a strong safety net and a solid foundation for our kids. Her focus on economic development includes workforce readiness so that these jobs are filled by Franklin County residents, including those who face challenges to sustainable-wage employment.

On issues of human rights and equality, Marilyn works on behalf of women’s rights, diversity and inclusion for all people, and open and equitable access to education, housing, and government. She is a vocal advocate for social justice and progressive issues. She has served on the Board of Directors of The Center for Family Safety & Healing and on the advisory council of CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, and is a leader against family violence in all its forms.

Marilyn works closely with the County’s Department of Economic Development, Chambers of Commerce, the Mid-Ohio Re-

M

arilyn is committed to advancing policies and actions that create and retain good jobs for Franklin County residents as the surest path to a strong safety net and a solid foundation for our kids.

County. She serves on the Boards of Columbus 2020 and the US Global Leadership Coalition. In 2016, Marilyn was honored to receive the Ohio Minority Business Enterprise (Ohio MBE) Frank W. Watson Advocacy award.

Marilyn is taking an active leadership role in the planning of the County’s new Public Safety Center, and her work as chair of the Franklin County Reentry gional Planning Commission, and Coalition underscores her focus others to attract new jobs and re- on smart and fair justice. Maritain existing jobs here in Franklin lyn is Vice Chair of the County

9

Commissioners Association of Ohio’s Justice and Public Safety Committee. At the national level, she serves as the Vice Chair for the Courts and Corrections subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety at the National Association of Counties.

Marilyn’s stewardship of the construction of Huntington Park, the Common Pleas Courthouse, and the Franklin County Dog Shelter, and the renovation of the Judicial Services Building, have led to national recognition of these projects for job creation, quality contracting and construction standards, and award-winning design, construction, sustainability, accessibility, and fiscal stewardship.

Marilyn Brown has been elected by the voters of Franklin County to serve as Commissioner in 2006, 2010, and 2014. She has been selected by her colleagues to serve as Commission President in 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2015.

Prior to elected office, Marilyn had extensive experience in public service working in economic development, social justice, race relations, and fair housing. She holds a masters’ degree in organizational development from Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

ELECTION 2018

JUDGE TERRI JAMISON FOR COURT OF COMMON PLEAS The Honorable Terri Jamison is running for re-election to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations/Juvenile Branch. Judge Jamison draws on her education (Bachelor of Science, Franklin University, Cum Laude; Juris Doctorate, Capital University Law School) and her past work experiences to better serve those in her courtroom and in the community.

Judge Jamison carries out significant responsibilities that directly impact the lives of people whether they are juveniles or adults with domestic issues.

These responsibilities include: protecting due process and affording litigants an opportunity to be heard; conducting legal research to interpret the law and assesses the evidence presented; making decisions about whether the evidence presented is credible and which witnesses’ testimony is credible.

She arbitrates disputes, advise counsel, jury, litigants or court personnel and administers judicial system; she establishes rules of procedures on questions for which standard procedures have not been established by law or by superior court. Judge Jamison listens to the presentation of cases, rules on the admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony and she settles disputes between opposing attorneys.

J

Civil Protection orders between related persons and makes findings; and, she supervises the work of the staff attorney, bailiff, judicial assistant, Compass Program Docket Success Coach and other court staff.

Prior to being elected to the bench, Jamison was the owner of In addition to the aforemen- Jamison Law Offices where she tioned responsibilities, Judge represented accused persons durJamison also uses applicable law ing criminal and juvenile delinto issue decisions; examines evi- quency investigative proceedings. dence in juvenile delinquency cas- She has worked as a Hearing Ofes; conducts divorce trials, settle- ficer for the State of Ohio, Unemment conferences, pre-trial hear- ployment Compensation Review ings, status conferences and writes Commission and was a Franklin decisions. She hears Petitions for County Public Defender where

udge Jamison carries out significant responsibilities that directly impact the lives of people whether they are juveniles or adults with domestic issues.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

10

she represented accused persons in court appearances leading to trial in felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases.

Judge Jamison is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio and the Supreme Court of Ohio. Her judicial committee assignments include: The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Military Law Committee; Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges, Juvenile Law and Procedure Committee; Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Court Security; Ohio Supreme Court Sentencing Commission, Juvenile Subcommittee; Franklin County Re-Entry Coalition, CoChair Juvenile Justice; and, Ohio Judicial Conference, Representative for District 4.

In 2014, Judge Jamison developed the Compass Program Docket, an innovative collaborative partnership with the Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency to connect unemployed child support obligors with community partners for education, resume building, job training and job placement.

Judge Jamison is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for her community service dating from 2013 through July 2018.

ELECTION 2018

JAIZA PAGE FOR JUDGE – COURT OF COMMON PLEAS Columbus native, Jaiza Page has spent her career as an attorney and a legislator serving this community. Jaiza received her Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown University with a double minor in African American Studies and Spanish. She received her Juris Doctorate from the Moritz College of Law. After completing law school, Jaiza began working in the Columbus City Attorney, Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr.’s office. Jaiza argued hundreds of public nuisance cases on behalf of the city. One of her greatest wins was against Motel One, a motel on the east side known for criminal activity and was a public nuisance for residents of Columbus, Bexley and Whitehall. It was during this trial that Jaiza saw the impact judicial decision have not only on the individuals before the court but on the entire community.

In 2015, Jaiza decided to take her commitment to our community from the court house to City Hall. She was appointed as a member of Columbus City Council and elected later that year.

While serving on City Council, Jaiza has spent time learning and listening. As a problem-solver, she has worked to come up with solutions to problems plaguing our community. One of her great-

W

e need judges who are experienced, fair and who will strive to preserve the principles of justice. We need judges with good judgment, proper temperament and an understanding of our community and that is why Jaiza is qualified to serve on the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

est accomplishments is the Learning Skills Lifting Neighborhoods program that provides funding to non-profits that rehabilitate blighted property and employ youth or restored citizens. Another accomplishment is the LeadUs Program, a summer youth employment program designed to introduce youth from diverse

backgrounds to employment opportunities within the City. Jaiza has also maintained a law practice as Of Counsel with the law firm of Eastman & Smith, Ltd. Jaiza is currently running for the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas for the seat being vacated by Judge Guy Reece.

Independent, fair, competent, im-

11

partial, compassionate and integrity are words that describe Jaiza.

As an attorney and legislator, Jaiza strives to make good decisions, to be an independent thinker, to be impartial and to maintain her integrity. Her legal and political experience has helped her gain a deeper understanding of garnering the public’s trust in the laws upon which our society is grounded. More than ever we need judges who are experienced, fair and who will strive to preserve the principles of justice.

We need judges with good judgment, proper temperament and an understanding of our community and that is why Jaiza is qualified to serve on the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

There is no routine lung cancer.

A revolution in lung cancer treatment is happening at The James. Our research is proving that cancers are not defined solely by their locations and stages, but also by individual molecules and genes that drive each patient’s unique cancer. To deliver the most effective ways to treat lung cancers, we work to understand each cancer at a genetic level, then pinpoint what makes it grow. Our teams of world-renowned scientists, oncologists and other specialists use their collective knowledge and expertise to deliver treatments that target one particular lung cancer‌yours.

To learn more visit cancer.osu.edu/lung.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

12

I, Too, Sing America The Harlem Renaissance at 100 10.19.18 – 1.21.19 Columbus Museum of Art 480 E. Broad Street 43215 columbusmuseum.org #wowcma #cbusharlem100 Horace Pippin, Self-Portrait, 1941. Oil on canvas board, 14 x 11 in. Albright Knox Art Gallery / Art Resource, NY. © Estate of Horace Pippin.

Premier Sponsor

13

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

THE OPIATE CRISIS IS IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY! Learn more about how the Opiate Community Connector program can help combat addiction and the opioid epidemic in minority neighborhoods.

Community Connectors provide: Education and Training Outreach and Referrals Transportation Learn more by contacting Opiate Community Connectors: Barbara Clark at (614) 318-3929 or bckappa@gmail.com, Bryan Curry (614) 318-3920 or Leonard King (614) 822-1398

Made Possible By:

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

14

ELECTION 2018

MICHAEL STINZIANO FOR COUNTY AUDITOR Born and raised in the University Community in Columbus, Michael Stinziano grew up with a drive to serve our community. And as the youngest of four children, he quickly learned the importance of independent thinking and fairness, and the value of serving others.

Today, he works to find common-sense solutions to make Franklin County a great place to live and work.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and master’s degree from George Washington University, Michael returned to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. It wasn’t long before Michael’s passion for serving others drove him into public service.

In 2008, as Director of the Franklin County Board of Elections, Michael oversaw a presidential election in one of the largest jurisdictions in the country. In that role, he implemented practices that continue to provide a high level of service to the public while reducing costs for the taxpayer.

From 2011 to 2016, Michael proudly represented the residents and businesses of Columbus in the Ohio General Assembly. At the Statehouse, he championed legislation that fostered small business growth to create, retain, and sustain good- paying jobs in Central Ohio.

“I

’m running for Franklin County Auditor because I believe government should watch its money as closely as you do.

Technology has changed the way we spend, but government has not kept up – and certainly has not gotten better when it comes to spending your dollars efficiently. It’s time to bring the Auditor’s Office into the 21st century with outstanding constituent services and fiscal common sense.”

During his service in the General Assembly, Michael received numerous honors and awards including several Legislator of the Year awards.

Michael currently serves as President Pro Tem on the Colum-

bus City Council. In addition to meeting with constituents throughout our community in more than 150 weekly community hours, Michael chairs several Council committees including Council’s Neighborhoods Committee, Technology

15

Committee, and Public Utilities Committee. Michael also serves on the following Council committees: • Rules and Reference • Economic Development and Small Business • Workforce Development • Veterans’ Affairs • Education Environment • Judiciary and Court Administration • Zoning Michael also serves as Chair of award winning Age Friendly Columbus, one of Michael’s most successful efforts. This citywide initiative works to ensure that individuals of all ages and abilities can remain in their homes, living independently and maintaining a high quality of life.

On Council, Michael has proven himself as a sensible and innovative leader who works in a bipartisan manner to get results for our community. He finds effective solutions to solve problems and fights to build a better future for central Ohio.

Outside of Council, Michael is an Adjunct Law Professor at Capital University Law School where he teaches a course on legislation.

Michael and his wife Caroline are the proud and busy parents of Cooper and Riley. They live in the University Community with their two rescue pugs, Wrigley and Fenway, and attend St. Agatha Parish in Upper Arlington.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

ELECTION 2018

ERICA CRAWLEY FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE Erica Crawley is a native of Youngstown, Ohio where she was raised by a single mother and who, like most of her family, worked in a factory making care parts at Delphi Packard Electrical. She graduated from the Youngstown Public Schools system and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from Cleveland State University. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Walden University and earned her Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School.

Crawley is a proud veteran of the United States Navy having served in active duty in Norfolk, Virginia. She was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her dedication and professionalism while providing continuous feet support of two carrier battle iliary steaming units during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

She has been a staunch advocate for children and families with the Cuyahoga County Job & Family Services, YMCA Head Start/Early Head Start Program, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children and the Black Child Development Institute – Atlanta Affiliate. Crawley continues to volunteer her time with community organizations while raising twin daughters and serving as an active member of First Church of God. Erica Crawley_4x9.pdf

15

2/1/18

I

f elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, 26th District, Crawley said that she will use her experiences growing up in Youngstown, her service in the Navy and her work and volunteer experiences to be an “unconditional advocate” for our communities most vulnerable populations.

Crawley was inspired to get involved in politics during a discussion with her great aunt about the 2007 Presidential election and what candidate could be counted on to advocate for change. During that discussion her great aunt asked Crawley, “Why not you?”

That is when Crawley began to

understand her purpose and why her past had been so challenging.

Both her parents suffered from addictions and she and her mother moved frequently living with friends and relatives. Crawley’s life has been and continues to be dedicated to making a difference by serving others and giving un-

8:10 AM

C

M

Y

M

Y

Y

Y

K

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

16

derserved people a voice.

If elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, 26th District, Crawley said that she will use her experiences growing up in Youngstown, her service in the Navy and her work and volunteer experiences to be an “unconditional advocate” for our communities most vulnerable populations. Crawley said that she cannot idly stand by while the issues of income inequality, access to affordable and quality healthcare and equitable education continue to intensify. If elected, Crawley pledges to make sure that residents and communities who have been left behind will have their voices “amplified and empowered” in the statehouse. She is choosing to be a role model so that young people will never have to be asked, “Why not you?”

They will just know.

ELECTION 2018

DR. MICHELE REYNOLDS FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER In 2018, Dr. Michele Reynolds may become the first AfricanAmerican woman to gain a seat as Franklin County Commissioner.

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” says Reynolds, an award-winning entrepreneur with over 20 years of business and non-profit management experience. Dr. Reynolds is knowledgeable about marginalized members of society desperately seeking a seat at the table and the systems that prevent it.

Her outreach work and humanitarian efforts are results driven. Directly housing over 1000 restored citizens and creating 200 jobs as a private individual seeking social justice in her community, Michele Reynolds is passionate about breaking barriers and connecting private solutions with public problems. You should be familiar with her housing project, Cargominiums, a developing 25-unit apartment building made of recycled shipping containers; eco-friendly homes that will provide affordable housing solutions for people in need.

“We need this change,” says Reynolds. “We need these innovative strategies and solutions that attract talent, inspire entrepreneurship and promote prosperity.” With 54,000 people in Central Ohio paying more than

D

r. Michele Reynolds wants to win your vote in the upcoming midterm election. If there’s anything she would wish for every resident of Franklin County, it’s to be engaged and exercise your freedom to vote on November 6th.

ernment, and community leaders such as myself to throw our hat into the ring and do what we need to bring hope to our communities.” With a multi-neighborhood approach, Michele has engaged Franklin County over the last 10 months; introducing herself and listening to Franklin County residents; reassuring them she has creative solutions to expanding problems.

With first-hand business experience working with city and county government for the Mayors’ Office of Economic Development in Akron and the Hamilton County Commissioners, it goes without saying that she’s an outcome driven candidate. If there’s half of their income for housing income residents struggling to anything she would wish for evwhere rent and sale prices contin- provide the essentials for their ery resident of Franklin County, ue to rise, there is a lack of afford- families. it’s to be engaged and exercise able housing in Franklin County “This problem requires all your freedom to vote on Novemcausing many low and moderate hands on deck, which leaves gov- ber 6th.

17

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

ELECTION 2018

VOTING LAWS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS A RIGHT – A PRIVILEGE – A RESPONSIBILITY Robin A. Jones, PhD Your Voice – Your Vote

On November 6th, across this great nation, the United States of America, millions of you will exercise your right, your privilege, and your responsibility to vote. You will “make your way” to voting polls located in churches, schools, and fire stations so you can possibly stand in long lines to pull levers, fill in bubbles, or push buttons on a touch screen. If you do not have an opportunity to travel to a voting location you can mail in a ballot (absentee) to select your voting choice for your local municipality, your state and your nation.

When you do not vote, you affect the outcomes of the elections.

You are telling others that you do not care about the ‘Issues’ on the ballots, or whether you have a tax increase. You are giving away your right to have a voice in school levies, and in some cases how dollars are distributed.

If you have children, take them to the polls with you. Remind them that for most of human history, people had no say in who would lead them, that violence and fear determined who controlled the institutions of power. Tell them that even in our own country, founded on the most noble of democratic principles, people have had to labor and protest and fight and even die to secure this right for themselves and for others. Tell them that there are many things you can do to exercise your citizenship, but this is one thing you must do. Tell them that Election Day is when you act not for yourself but for your community and your country. Tell them that although campaigns can be small and mean, Election Day is when our nation can also be bound by hope (Waldman, 2008).

As a young girl, I remember going with my mother to the voting polls. She always voted at the corner mechanic shop which was setup as a voting center. As she walked into the shop, she picked up her ballot and headed to the voting booth.

Why we Vote – A Right

Many will comment, it is your constitutional ‘right to vote’.

However, the Constitution, Article 1, reads as follows: “which gave states the responsibility of overseeing federal elections” according to www.usa.gov. So Article 1 may have opened the door to allow all Americans the ‘right

W

amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Also the Voting Rights Act of 1965. For more information on Article 1, Amendments, and Voting Laws of the Constitution log onto the site, https:// www.usa.gov/voting-laws.

hen you do not vote, you affect the outcomes of the elections. You are telling others that you do not care about the ‘Issues’ on the ballots, or whether you have a tax increase.

You are giving away your right to have a voice in school levies, and in some cases how dollars are distributed.

How to Vote – Privilege

to vote’ and the ability to exercise that ‘right’, the states decided who and whom would have the ‘privilege’ to exercise the ‘right’. As a result, there were amendments and laws enacted to the constitution which were passed and ratified to ensure each American about your constitutional ‘right’.

According to the history books, it was the 15th Amendment which allowed African-American men the ‘right to vote’, just men.

However, the ‘right’ was not automatically granted. It was almost 100 years later which allowed men to exercise the right. There were many obstacles and barriers such as poll taxes and literacy tests, along with additional circumstances. Women, on the other hand, were not given the ‘right’ until 1920 with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. In 1964, the 24th Amendment to the Constitution, eliminated the poll taxes. This amendment opened the door for many because the poll taxes disproportionately impacted many Blacks as a barrier to voting. The 26th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1971, which lowered the voting age to 18. Moving on, there were numerous federal laws which were passed to protect American’s ‘right to vote’, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1870, and later

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

18

In 2018, across the United States we have midterm elections.

The midterm elections allows citizens to vote for members of the legislation, as well as local and state government officials. This process will remove the burden of overloading the ballot during the general election which is the presidential year. When you do not vote, you fail to use your ‘privilege’ to vote. While it is a ‘right’ by law, it is a ‘privilege’ not afforded to some due to circumstances or otherwise. When you do not vote, you are relinquishing your voice and allowing other voters to make decisions for you. Get out and go vote. All votes matter.

Being discouraged is not an option, all elections have upsets.

If recent history is any guide, this Election Day, 2018, will be replete with problems, as the incompetence and inadequate preparation of election officials meets the profoundly un-American efforts of some to prevent certain people from voting. That’s not to mention the question of whether the votes will be accurately counted.

Register to Vote – Responsibility

You cannot vote if you do not register to vote. It is your responsibility to register through your local Board of Elections. Registering allows you to make it known to yourself and others that you “CARE” about how your life and the lives of those around you are governed. The criteria for eligibility can be found at the following: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/register/#gref

While some, will take advantage of the early voting option, there are others who will choose to wait until voting day. So, if you have not voted go to, www.

WhenWeAllVote.org, which provides information for anyone who is voting to locate the polling locations. If you are still unsure of your voting poll, and you live in Ohio, call your local county offices. You will also find information about the candidates and the local ‘Issues’ on the ballot to assist you with making an informed decision. If you arrive at your voting poll and you are not granted access to a voting machine or a ballot, DO NOT LEAVE Without a Provisional Ballot.

Now keep in mind when you register you will need to stay current with your information such as change of address, and so on.

Know that state and federal election laws can change at a moment’s notice, so it is important for you to keep your voting information updated as needed. If you move or want to change party affiliations, for example, you should update your information well before the next election takes place. Also stay tuned to your local community for the following: to vote in the primary elections, special elections, change of voting polls locations and times.

Resources: Waldman, P. 2008: Why we vote, Retrieved on October 19, 2018 from http://prospect.org/article/why-we-vote Dr. Jones has a commitment to strong work ethics, education, and a passion for entrepreneurship.

Robin started her career path with GE as a database developer building her first database for the F14 Aircraft Fighter planes and from there she catapulted her way to the position of Interim CIO. In her 40+ years of employment in technology, Robin spent 12 of those years gainfully employed as founder and entrepreneur of a multimillion dollar company which received national awards and presidential recognition. From there Robin’s career advanced to fortune 50 companies such as IBM, Ashland Oil, and the U.S. Departments of Energy, and Defense. In her most recent capacity, Robin retired from University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business, Computer Center as Senior Manager, PMO Director.

Today, Robin continues to work in the field of higher education as an Associate Professor, and she is a strong advocate for children in K-12 who are Twice Exceptional.

AARP OHIO RELEASES 2018 GUBERNATORIAL VIDEO VOTERS’ GUIDE Columbus, OH –AARP Ohio released its 2018 Gubernatorial Video Voters’ Guide as part of AARP’s “Be the Difference.

Vote™” campaign, which continues its long tradition of nonpartisan voter engagement. This guide will provide Ohio voters with information on where the candidates stand on issues that matter most to them and their families and help these impactful voters make their voices heard on Election Day. AARP’s 2018 Gubernatorial Video Voters’ Guide features Attorney General Mike DeWine (R) and Richard Cordray (D) discussing their priorities and positions on issues including steps they would take to enhance the retirement security of Ohioans, how they would go about creating more livable communities, if they support a state income tax credit for family caregivers, and more. The video is available on the AARP Ohio Facebook page or at www.aarp.org/vote .The video voters’ guide builds on AARP’s voter engagement effort to get the largest possible turnout of 50-plus voters to the polls in November.

It has also worked to ensure issues of particular importance to older voters are front and center in midterm elections—issues like

T

In addition to the video voters’ • poll results he video is available on the guide, the “Be The Difference.

• and how federal elected offiAARP Ohio Facebook page Vote” campaign includes a one- cials voted on key issues, like the stop online portal — aarp.org/ health care repeal bills last year. or at www.aarp.org/vote vote — that provides voters with the information they need about this year’s elections, including: • a pledge to take action • issue briefings

Medicare, Social Security, financial security, prescription drug costs, and caregiving.

AARP does not endorse candidates or make contributions to political parties, political campaigns or candidates.

GOVERNMENT IS BROKEN. Politicians are more focused on delivering insults rather than results. And Medicare, Social Security, support for family caregivers, and prescription drug costs are all on the line.

THIS ELECTION

HAS ONE

BUT THE ELECTION IS COMING. We can make our voices heard.

AMERICANS 50-PLUS ARE THE NATION’S MOST POWERFUL VOTING BLOC. And there’s only one way politicians will work on the issues that really matter to us: We have to make them do it.

US

Learn more and pledge to vote at aarp.org/vote

Facebook.com/AARPOH @AARPOH Paid For By AARP

19

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING Take the next step to homeownership with our Community Home Loan Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever undertake. Let our team of experts help guide you along the way.

State Bank has been a trusted community banking partner since 1902. Contact JacQui or Dan today and see why so many homeowners choose State Bank for their financial needs.

to review Proposed Transportation Projects being considered for Federal Funding.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 7, 2018

JacQuelon C. Wilson Community Development Mortgage Loan Originator C 419.508.0806 NMLS 1638079 JacQui.Wilson@YourStateBank.com

WHERE: MVRPC Office 10 N. Ludlow St. Suite 700 Courthouse Square Dayton, OH TIME: The public may attend anytime between 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Daniel R. Prond Community Development Residential Sales Team Manager P 614.760.9841 NMLS 608043 Daniel.Prond@YourStateBank.com

MVRPC will hold a Public Participation Meeting to present proposed transportation projects being considered for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding through the Surface Transportation Program (STP), the Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) Program, and Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program.

The meeting will include a review of the DRAFT list of proposed transportation project applications received by MVRPC. All project funding requests are being considered for SFY 2024 funding with potential for earlier funding as available.

4080 W. Dublin-Granville Road Dublin, OH 43017

YourStateBank.com

94 Granville Street Gahanna, OH 43230

Commercial . Mortgage . Private Banking

For additional information, contact Paul Arnold, Manager of Short Range Programs, at 937.223.6323 or parnold@mvrpc.org

Subject to credit approval.

Choose the

MEDICAID Plan with

MORE!

“They help keep my family healthy.”

Simbreja

Buckeye Health Plan Member since 2005

Buckeye Members Get Extra Benefits

0

$ n n n n n

COST Dental, Vision and Drug Coverage!

Maternity and newborn care 24-hour Nurse Advice Line Free transportation to medical visits Rewards program for healthy activities And much more!

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

To learn more, call 877-505-9568 or visit

ChooseBuckeye.com

20

ELECTION 2018

THE PURSUIT OF TRUTH, VOTING, AND THE INFORMATION AGE

By Eric Johnson, PhD In a time when information pools seem to be limitless, how does one evaluate truth? When information sources flat out contradict one another, how do truth seekers assess the quality of any claim or message.

Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan once famously said everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not to their own facts. However, the sundry number of information sources that in no uncertain terms refute one another seem to provide all the permission necessary for people to construct “alternative facts.” There should be no wonder why many information consumers are so disenchanted that many simply decide to believe the facts that most validate their world view. This in part happens because many of us believe that we are good people and information that validates the perception we have of ourselves and the world we perceive must be good as well. A pesky and unavoidable complexity of this kind information consumption is that our perception of ourselves can be different from what and who we are. In addition, our perception of our world may not be exactly what it is. Moreover, even more complex is that other people may have very different perceptions of us and the world we perceive.

Consequently, they may believe and invest in different facts to affirm and validate their perceptions.

Of course, not all facts are created equally, and facts are

both subjective and objective in nature. If a person said he or she had a headache, the declaration itself becomes a fact. Even though it is entirely subjective.

However, if one claims to be in a place at a time and doing a thing that fact is verifiable meaning we can determine if one was at that place at that time doing the thing claimed. All that is required is an investigation to determine what was done when and by whom that does not solely rely on the word of the claimant. Nonetheless, often the specific details of an event or action are difficult to determine and sometimes it is nearly impossible to assess to any degree of certainty. In such cases we are again left with permission to believe what affirms our perceptions and world views. Under those circumstances many people are comforted to find solace in constructed truths otherwise known as stories that respond to their fears and affirms their hopes and dreams.

It may be important here to make a distinction between a fact and truth. On some elemental levels they are one in the same. A fact represents an observance, an event, an action, or some actual occurrence subjective or objective in nature. When a fact is validated it is also truth. However, truth is often something far more complex. Truth often is the meaning we apply to any set or series of facts. Truth in this way represents how one believes facts are connected and what those connections reveal about our reality. In this process the connections identified become almost more important than the facts themselves. It

C

21

asting a ballot should only be part of anyone’s pursuit of truth. In the bigger picture every election represents a course check to determine our collective progress. is the connections that help us to understand the world we perceive and more importantly the truths we construct inform what we believe is important about our existence. Truths, based on “facts” that we understand, are the mechanism by which we determine not only what we believe but also to whom we will instill our trust. In this effort the pursuit of truth is also a journey to understand ourselves both as individuals and as groups.

During political campaigns many politicians claim to champion the truth, with what is almost always a set of manipulated facts that are both subjective and objective. The pursuit of truth should represent a way of connecting the facts that help to reveal the best course of action for us as individuals and groups. An uncomfortable truth is the facts we connect and the way we connect them reveals more about us than it does about anybody else we want to explain or discredit. Each of us during any political campaign are not simply obligated to assess the facts expressed by a politician, but we are also dutybound to assess the truths we seek to claim and why we claim them.

The act of voting is in part an expression of not only our fears but also our hopes and dreams. The

pursuit of truth and what it gives us to permission to do the other humans we share space with also reveals some facts about who we perceive ourselves to be and how that may be different from who we actually are.

In a time when information is used as a weapon by the those who are informed and by those who are not, what is accepted as facts and truths can be quite revealing. The result of an election reveals both a fact and a truth. It is a fact in that it is an unmistakable occurrence, an indisputable action, and a marked event. It is a truth in that it reveals a more complex expression of how we understand the connections to the facts we perceive. Elections both disclose and expose what we believe the pursuit of truth entitles us to do. The political act of voting or not singularly reveals aspects of our collective psychosocio-cultural identity. It is in effect a check on what we say truth is and what it means to us. Elections represent a societal mirror that not only reflects who we are but simultaneously forecasts who we aspire to be.

Casting a ballot should only be part of anyone’s pursuit of truth.

In the bigger picture every election represents a course check to determine our collective progress.

They are opportunities for us to adjust our proverbial direction, but indeed they are also markers that identify our location. When there is no shortage of information pools, how we assess truths and determine facts becomes a responsibility that none of us can afford to take for granted. Your vote is your truth!

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

LEON B. SEPTEMBER ‘68 – MARCH ‘ 17

Life didn’t end for Leon. It got better. At ADAMH – and the 30+ notfor-profit agencies we partner with – our mission is to change lives in our community for the better. By helping people recovering from addiction and mental illness get the help they need to start living happier, healthier, fuller lives. So, they can get better.

ADAMH – Where better begins.

adamhf ranklin.org

4th Annual

HEALTHCARE JUSTICE AWARDS

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 11:30 am- 1 pm Hilton Easton 3900 Chagrin Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 Join us recognizing central Ohio’s healthcare advocates as we celebrate 20+ years of continuously serving the community’s healthcare needs!

Sponsored by:

For more info visit, www.primaryonehealth.org/healthcarejusticeawards or call Yolanda Owens, at 614.859.1938

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

22

ELECTION 2018

YOUR VOTE – WHAT IS IT WORTH?

By Cecil Jones, MBA My articles focus around technology and business, normally. This article is focused on YOUR VOTE. How much is your vote worth?

How much would you want to be paid to NOT vote? How much money does your individual vote have an impact or influence upon? Is casting your vote really that important?

Some countries believe that citizens casting their votes is so important that it is illegal NOT to vote. These countries include Australia, Brazil, Greece (one of oldest ‘rule of the vote of the people’ societies), Brazil and several other countries (https://www.pbs. org/newshour/politics/22-countries-voting-mandator).

What is Your Vote Worth?

What is your vote worth? $10 billion in advertising for the 2016 presidential election, while 138 million American voted in 2016 (https://adage.com/article/ media/2016-political-broadcast-tvspend-20-cable-52/307346/). Your vote was worth $72.46 in advertising, for that one presidential race.

In Ohio, the 2018-2019 General Revenue Fund budget is $133 billion for those 2 years (https:// obm.ohio.gov/Budget/operating/ doc/fy-18-19/enacted/FY18-19_ Enacted%20Budget%20Highlights%20Book_rev%2010-2-17. pdf). In Ohio, in the November 2017 election, 2,395,090 Ohioans voted. Your vote has $5,553 of influence from that perspective, for the 2 year budget (Ohio budget divided by Ohio votes). For just one Ohio 12th District Congressional race, Danny O’Connor versus Joe Manchik, $8 million was spent on advertising with just over 200,000 people voting (https:// www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/live-updates/midterms/ live-primary-election-results/ democrats-and-republicansspent-8-million-on-ohio-specialelection/?noredirect=on&utm_ term=.df606b3df68c). They spent $40 per voter on advertising (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/07/us/elections/ results-ohio-special-house-election-district-12.html). This does not include the budget for their election team staff and many other expenses.

Someone thinks your vote is worth something. Do you?

Your Voting Information

“R

ight of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” all public information. The website https://voterlookup.sos.state. oh.us/voterlookup.aspx provides registration information for any Ohio voter while https://www6. sos.state.oh.us/ords/f?p=111:1, Ohio Secretary of State website provides the file for the entire county for you to download.

I mention this because 1) we need to know what information is free and easily available about our voting status and 2) politicians easily know if your community is voting!

you to vote but to talk to others and get others to vote. I have a spreadsheet of names and telephone numbers of people that I particularly stay in contact with as election season begins and Election Day gets closer. Some of them have transportation or health problems. Some of them are registered to vote but have a tendency to vote sometimes and sometimes not vote. Some just get distracted.

Do you have a friend (or a friend of a friend) that does not consistently vote? Think about your relatives. Think about that high school reunion you attended.

Think about your church. Think about someone that you know who is unemployed (yes, there can be a correlation between those who are not doing well economically and those not voting).

There are non-partisan groups of people who will give a ride to polling places. If you need some names and telephone numbers of groups that will get people to polls, please call me.

Communities that Vote

Where will a candidate spend their time? Which parts of the community will they visit and listen for issues and action? Many politician approach securing an office just as an unemployed person approaches looking for a job.

They talk with those that can get them into the position! Not a good moral compass, but true. If there are several residential blocks of people that are not registered or do not vote, do you believe that political candidate will spend time trying to understand that community’s needs? Why do office seekers pay attention to mature and senior citizens? They often have a high percentage of registered and active voters. Older citizens often are directly concerned about governmental services, Social Security, Medicare and other programs upon which they depend.

It is Important!

Good Luck!

Yes, these are strange times.

However, those with a good memory or with a collective memory or that do a little reading/research know that times have been strange before. By getting people to the polls this November, you are doing what some countries make mandatory. You are doing what make your city, county, state and country run well. You

Whether you voted, your political affiliation, your address, birthdate, whether your voter Action Item for YOU registration status is active, etc. is The need is not only for

23

are doing a basic duty that we all have. You/we have had challenges before. You/we overcame them.

This is not a time to bury your head in the sand. This is not a time to say “I’m too busy!”. This is not a time to get distracted.

Vote! Ensure others Vote. If you have any questions around voting, please let us know.

What new technology, processes and devices are you using?

Help Us to Help You

The purpose of this column is to provide useful information and knowledge that you can use, today. If you have a technology question (how to get something done, what business, process or software solution might be available for your situation, how to secure that technology position, etc.), please email the question or comment to the email address Admin@Accelerationservices.net or call 614-726-1925 for a quick response.

People, Process and Technology

Are you looking for a technology networking group to help you get smarter? What new technology or process have you learned this month? Need advice on how to look for that technology position? Are you considering technology education (courses, certificates or degrees) and need information? Do you have a business, process, project management, personnel or technology question? Please let me know.

Cecil Jones MBA, ABD, PMP, CCP, SCPM, FLMI, IT Lean Professional admin@accelerationservices.net 614-726-1925 www. accelerationservices.net

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

ELECTION 2018

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ELECTIONS: DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

By Senator Charleta B. Tavares Issue 1, is an amendment to the Ohio constitution that will be on the ballot on Election Day, November 6, 2018. I am voting YES on Issue 1 because I believe that this is the right way to tackle both our state prison overcrowding and the opioid crisis that has been devastating our communities. Issue 1 will also give a second chance to Ohioans charged with drug possession. For these and many other reasons, I am supporting it.

For years, we have been waiting for the legislature to pass substantive reforms of the criminal justice system that treats drug users with kindness and compassion. On November 6, Ohio voters will get to decide if the current system works – or if we want to do better. “This issue continues our efforts to focus on rehabilitation, alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders, reducing recidivism and treatment in lieu of incarceration, stated Senator Tavares. We have a morale and financial obligation to the citizens of Ohio to be fair, just and equitable in our sentencing and criminal justice system. With Issue 1, we can appropriately levy the right punishment, at the right place and for the right amount of time to maintain safety, successfully reintegrate offenders and save money for our taxpayers. ”I am voting FOR Issue 1 and I ask you to join me.

There are many candidates who are vying for your vote and the chance to represent you in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, statewide offices including two Supreme Court Justices, Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer and Secretary of State. In addition, we have all ninety-nine members of the Ohio House of Representatives and ½ (odd district numbers) in the Ohio Senate that will be elected on November 6.

The county offices below are also up for election in November and should be carefully reviewed especially, the county judges as they are the individuals who are judging and convicting members of the community for various crimes against persons and property. The individuals elected to the county Courts of Common Pleas are elected for six years…time to do good or to continue to disproportionately convict and incarcerate African Americans with longer sentences than their Caucasian

Y

ES ON ISSUE 1 – Restoring Civil Rights and Reducing Unnecessary Incarceration

House and Senate Finance Committees are televised live on WOSU/WPBO and replays can be viewed at www.ohiochannel. org (specific House and Senate sessions and committee hearings can be searched in the video archives).

If you would like to receive updated information on the Ohio General Assembly and policy initiatives introduced, call or email my office at 614.466.5131 or tavares@ohiosenate.com to receive the Tavares Times News monthly Franklin County – Proposed legislative newsletter. The comTax Levy (Replacement and In- mittee schedules, full membership crease) for the Columbus and rosters and contact information Franklin County Metropolitan for the Ohio House and Senate Park District (Metro Parks). can be found at: www.ohiohouse.

Montgomery County – Pro- gov and www.ohiosenate.gov reposed Tax Levy (Replacement spectively. and Additional) Five Rivers Metro parks S e n . C h a r l e t a B . Ta v a re s , Montgomery County – Or- D - C o l u m b u s , i s p ro u d t o dinance to decriminalize certain serve and represent the 15th misdemeanor marijuana and District, including the historic hashish offenses. neighborhoods of Columbus If you are interested in testify- and the cities of Bexley and ing on any of the bills introduced G r a n d v i e w H e i g h t s i n t h e in either the House or Senate, Ohio Senate. She serves as the please contact the chair of the Ohio Senate Assistant Minority committee who can be found at Leader and the vice-chair of the www.ohiosenate.gov or www.ohr. Finance – Health and Medicaid gov.

Subcommittee; Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Human Additional Contacts Services and Medicaid Committee UPDATE: The Ohio Gen- and a member of the powerful eral Assembly sessions and the Controlling Board.

Montgomery County

County Commissioner (1) County Auditor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas State Board of Education County Recorder Court of Appeals (1) Common Pleas Court General Division (5) Common Pleas Court Domestic Relations (2) Common Pleas Court Juvenile Div. (1)

counterparts for the same crime.

The Common Pleas Courts are not very diverse by race, ethnicity or gender. For those who are currently serving and asking for your vote, look at their record in the court and the community. How have they performed and where are they giving of their time. With the candidates who are running for the first time for these judicial offices, pay particular attention to what kind of work they have done as a lawyer, community servant or volunteer? Ask some of the African American lawyers that you respect about them and their interest in serving our people. Have they spent any time in our communities of color, supported or volunteered on any of the community non-profit boards or service groups aiding our community? If not, you may want to look at the other candidate.

Franklin County

County Commissioner (1) County Auditor Court of Appeals (2) Common Pleas Court General Division (4) Common Pleas Court Domestic Relations (4)

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

24

ELECTION 2018

“APATHY”

By Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons, Psy.D. Outside the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum you see this poem: “First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”

This was written by Martin Niemoller, a German Lutheran pastor. He was trying impress upon us that at some point, we must speak out for others, because if we do not, there will be no one left to help us. We cannot afford to be so focused on our own individual needs and wants that we end up letting the whole of humanity fall into nothingness.

It is alarming to hear that many people have allowed apathy to prevent them from participating in voting. I suspect that for some

people, they feel too far distanced from the struggles that our predecessors experienced in fighting for the right to vote. However, I’m afraid that this apathy is more related to the fact that many people (and primarily people of color) do not understand the impact that each vote carries. I saw a clip of an interview on television this week and an adult white male was stating that he did not intend to vote in the upcoming midterm election. When asked why, he replied “I’m saving up my votes for the big election.” Does this gentleman not realize that he only gets to vote once in each election? It is a valid question. And, he did appear somewhat flummoxed when the reporter informed him of that point.

We cannot afford to let ignorance, frustration or apathy stop us from making our voices and opinions known. There is too much at stake. Especially in this period when anger and racism fueled enough people who felt they had been marginalized by Affirmative Action, made their way to the polls and voted in the current President of the United States. People of color must not let our fears or lack of involvement keep us from voting. It is obvious that a powerful response can bring about the

changes we want to see – in our communities and in our country.

Please do not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to the appalling incidents of voter suppression occurring in North Carolina, Arkansas, and Georgia. Yes, the news cycle is exhausting with all the nonsense being tossed out – stupid tweets which are mainly misdirection and deflection while these problems are not being addressed.

For example, in North Carolina, they are trying to prevent many Native Americans from voting unless they provide a legal name and address. You may say “That makes sense” but do you realize that most Native Americans there live on reservations and do not have an official address?

They use a PO Box number which is not acceptable. In Georgia and Arkansas, there is a purge going on – if an individual has not voted in the previous two elections (not necessarily the ‘big’ presidential elections), they are being purged or eliminated from the registration rolls. As a result, Georgia now has approximately 107,000 persons ineligible to vote because of the “Use It or Lose It” law.

This argument has come up in Ohio several times in the past 15 years. In addition, we are dealing

with conflicts about proper IDs. For example, if you have an unusual name, possibly reflecting family heritage, the spelling may not be commonly known. If you have not been super vigilant when seeing how others enter your name into data bases, you may not be allowed to vote for lack of proof that you are who you say you are. It need not be a major misspelling – I have experienced a few problems because my last name is hyphenated.

I cannot emphasize enough that we must make every effort to vote. We cannot afford to let apathy or a lack of interest result in low turnout on this election day. As stated by Symone Sanders, “There is no ‘blue wave’ in November 2018 without black or brown people” (voting).

Dr. Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons’s office is located in north Columbus. Her practice centers on helping clients with depression and anxiety related disorders. In recent years, after discovering a love of running, she expanded her practice to include servces related to Sports Psychology for athletes of all ages and levels. To reach her, call 614-443-7040 or email her at Jacqui@DrLewisLyons.com

THE INCREASING FEDERAL DEFICIT, YOUR FINANCIAL WELL-BEING, AND WHY THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS MATTER

By Darren Lundy Although the U.S. economy is operating on all cylinders, many analysts predict disastrous times ahead.

By most measures, the economy is in its’ best shape since the Great Depression of 2007. Unemployment hit an 18-year low of 3.7% in September of this year and average wage growth is expected to reach 3% by year’s end. The economy is projected to grow nearly 3% in 2018 for only the second time since the 2008 recession.

We are in the second-longest economic expansion in U.S. history; yet leading economists forecast a recession as early as next year. During a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Business Economics, half of the economists surveyed foresee a recession starting in late 2019 or early 2020. The late stages of an economic expansion can be most vulnerable to a looming recession. This typically occurs when unemployment falls, inflation heats up, the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to slow down

the economy, and/or investors and consumers begin to lose confidence.

However, another ingredient is needed to tip an economy into recession. The turbulence in 199091 was the oil price shock, 2001 was the dotcom bubble burst, and 2007 was the housing crisis.

What will be the catalyst that tips the U.S. economy into its next recession?

Though no one in Washington will admit it, our nation’s finances are in deep trouble. Spending is up, revenue is down, and the deficit will only get worse.

According to the Monthly Treasury Statement (www.fiscal. treasury.gov) for 2018 fiscal year that ended Sept 30th, the federal deficit was $779 billion, a 17 percent increase over the $666 billion deficit recorded last year; an increase of $113 billion. This was the biggest one-year increase in the deficit since 2009.

The 2018 deficit number is significant because it occurred during good economic times when historically the federal deficit is reduced. The Treasury report shows that virtually the entire deficit increase was due to

the tax cut enacted in December, which reduced revenues substantially.

Neither the Trump White House or its allies on Capitol Hill are willingly revealing that the federal budget is in bad shape… and getting worse. The federal deficit is spiking; up 21 percent since 2017. The Trump White House and Republicans in Congress have been strategically avoiding the discussion of the National Budget.

More importantly, the GOP tax cuts are expanding the federal deficit. The Treasury reported that revenues grew from 2017 to 2018 by slightly less than $14 billion. Given the federal governments overall $113 billion deficit increase, you might assume that the deficit rose because spending was $127 billion higher.

Overall federal outlays did increase by $127 billion in 2018, compared with what was actually spent in 2017, but that’s not the real issue. The real issue is the total tax revenue the government would have collected under the old tax law compared to the new one.

The Congressional Budget 25

Office (CBO) estimated fiscal 2018 revenue would be $3.5 trillion under the laws that were in place before President Donald Trump signed the GOP tax cut bill. The actual amount the Treasury reported was $202 billion less which would have more than covered the $127 billion in extra spending in 2018.

This comparison to tax revenues that were expected, had the law stayed the same, shows that virtually all of the federal deficit increase that occurred from 2017 to 2018 was due to the new cuts in corporate and individual taxes.

Had the tax changes not been enacted, the federal deficit in 2018 would have dropped to well below $600 billion rather than rising to close to $800 billion.

Three of the most troubling factors of this increase are: • Both the Treasury and CBO expect the deficit to keep spiking.

Compared with the CBO pretax bill baseline, 2019 revenues will be $263 billion below what they would have been if rates had stayed the same. The Treasury’s projected 2019 deficit would be Continued on Page 26

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

ELECTION 2018

COUNTDOWN TO THE 2018 MID-TERM ELECTIONS

By William McCoy, MPA Is Black America falling victim to the “boiling frog syndrome?” According to Wikipedia (2017), it is widely believed (correctly or not) that a frog placed into boiling water will immediately jump out, while a frog placed in cold water that is gradually heated will stay in it after the water reaches a boil, and eventually be cooked.

Similarly, a person who is in a situation that is gradually becoming worse may not perceive the peril or danger until it is too late. That person is said to have fallen victim to the “boiling frog syndrome.”

Black America finds itself in a perilous political environment.

Political discourse is increasingly stained by inflammatory rhetoric- as well as the involvement, engagement, and acceptance of groups and individuals who harbor ill-will or hostility toward people of color. One political result is a wave of policies and practices aimed at making it harder for African-Americans and other people of color to vote. Sadly, many socalled leaders refuse to acknowledge and address the institutionalized, systematic mistreatment and oppression people of color experience on a daily basis at the hands of police, politicians, and others.

Voting is a big deal. AfricanAmericans, women, and others had to fight for the right to vote, which the Constitution did not grant them. The voting rights struggle has spanned more than 200 years, involved millions of marchers and protesters, and resulted in an untold number of deaths. Along the way, America has experienced a Civil War, 1870 ratification of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, rise and demise of Jim Crow, Civil Rights movement, and passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Still, the struggle continues.

Continued from Page 25 just above $800 billion rather than close to $1.1 trillion.

• Congress and the White House are seriously considering passing another big tax cut during the lame duck session after the midterms. That will increase the deficit even more.

• Unlike the trillion-dollar federal deficit of the Obama administration that fell when the economy improved, these deficits are the result of permanent changes in federal revenues caused by the new tax law. Not only does this put the empty promise of balancing the federal budget in 10 years out of reach, it makes even

P

oliticians, public servants, and others are moving at breakneck speed to implement laws, policies, and practices designed to discourage or prevent people of color from voting in the 2018 midterm elections.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and 2002 Help America Vote Act marked the continuation of a movement to make it more difficult for AfricanAmericans and others to register to vote and exercise their right to vote. For example, in 2015, the State of Ohio used the 2002 Help America Vote Act to purge voter rolls of an estimated 40,000 voters in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The State of Ohio adopted “exceptionally low standards for how and when it determines that a voter is ineligible. . . (which) led to stark and discriminatory patterns of voter suppression that disproportionately affect lower-income or minority households” [see https://www.nbcnews. com/think/opinion/ohio-s-voterpurges-were-upheld-supremecourt-doesn-t-ncna882146 ].

Jacob Weindling published an online article entitled, “Your State-by-State Guide to Voter Suppression” (October 16, 2018), which details “how the Republican Party is echoing the Jim Crow era in order to suppress the votes of minorities.” Weindling said, “Florida and Georgia (both with viable African-American candidates for governor) are having a litany of ‘issues’ registering people to vote, and Georgia is also kicking people off the voter rolls (the man running for governor, Brian Kemp, is Georgia’s Secretary of State, and his office

has control over all these shenanigans). In Indiana, over 400,000 people- equivalent to a little more than 10% of registered voters in the 2014 midterms- have been kicked off the rolls, and North Dakota is stripping Native Americans of the right to vote because the U.S. Postal Service won’t give some of them an address, and Republican legislators have passed a law requiring a physical address in order to vote” [this article can be found online at https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/10/ your-state-by-state-guide-to-gopvoter-suppression.html ].

Politicians, public servants, and others are moving at breakneck speed to implement laws, policies, and practices designed to discourage or prevent people of color from voting in the 2018 midterm elections. Tens of millions and, possibly, hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent to disenfranchise, dilute, and/or diminish Black voters’ impact on the upcoming elections. Why would so many people expend all of this time, effort, and money if your vote doesn’t matter? The answer: your vote does matter; your vote is important.

Working America published its Front Porch Focus Group Report, “Does My Vote Matter?” (September 2017), which was based on face-to-face conversations with 582 working-class AfricanAmericans in Columbus and Central Ohio. This report stated: (a) Black voters are demoralized about the economy, politics, and Democrats; (b) believe it makes no difference to their economic well-being if Democrats or Republicans are in power; (c) there is activism among Black voters, but ties to the Resistance are weak; and (d) face-to-face contact with potential Black voters motivates them to vote. The report also noted there was a significant decline in the percent of Black registered

voters that actually voted (62%) in 2016 from the “astonishingly high” level (72%) of 2012.

In conclusion, the 2018 midterm elections are rapidly approaching. A lot of time, money, and political effort are being spent to discourage and disrupt the African-American vote. That, plus the history of Black Americans and voting rights, tells you all you need to know about the importance of voting. The mere presence of African-American voters strikes fear into the hearts of those who oppose Black people, progress, and/or power. Former President Lyndon Johnson said, “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.” You have the power: use it, vote! The temperature is rising.

the projection of a balanced budget virtually impossible.

The Trump deficits are the result of changes in federal spending and revenue that will remain in place until some future president and Congress decide to reverse them, that is, to increase taxes and make cuts to some popular programs.

Not only has there been little interest in doing that, many in Congress and the Trump administration seem be to increasing spending and reducing revenue even further while ignoring the deficit and national debt. For example, the White House proposed a new Space Force that would likely add billions to the

Pentagon’s budget and President Trump has asked for $25 billion to build the wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

A recession may simply be the next phase in the current economic cycle however, the length and severity of the recession may be exacerbated by the widening federal deficit. Reducing tax revenue while increasing spending can be a recipe for disaster.

This is why government checks and balances are imperative. It is important not to get distracted by Washington’s smoke and mirrors like the Brett Kavanaugh nomination, the trade war with China, and Kanye West’s visit to The White House. We

must be vigilant and exercise our right to vote.

Darren is a Columbus, Ohio native who has earned degrees in Business, Accounting, and an MBA. He has over twenty-five (25) year’s experience in financial services. The Ohio Company, First Union Securities, and Merrill Lynch were instrumental in his career prior to starting his own Wealth Management Firm, Money Consciousness LLC, (614) 776-4311. He holds his Series 65 and Life and Health licenses. Investment advisory services are offered through Foundations Advisors, LLC an SEC registered investment advisor. Call to schedule a free financial consultation.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

26

William McCoy is founder of and principal consultant with The McCoy Company- a worldclass, personal services consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, community economic development, and training that helps its clients articulate and achieve their visions, solve problems, and capitalize on their opportunities. He has served every level of government, foundations, nonprofit and forprofit enterprise, and othersi n c l u d i n g t h e Wa s h i n g t o n , DC-based Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

M r. M c C o y h a s m a n a g e d and consulted with political campaigns, served as a deputy city manager and development director, and held two White H o u s e a p p o i n t m e n t s . Yo u can reach William McCoy at (614) 785-8497 or via e-mail at wmccoy2@themccoycompany. com. You can also visit The McCoy Company’s website at www.themccoycompany.com.

FILM & FAITH GOD OF THE OPPRESSED

By Carl W. Kenney II The complex nature of the Black Church was on national display during the funeral of Aretha Franklin. Rev. Jasper Williams’ eulogy felt like a combination of family therapy, an attack against black men for leaving women with the impossible task of raising black boys and a colloquy on why black lives don’t matter.

It didn’t take long for onlookers to deride Williams for spending more time in offering his personal credo versus eulogizing the Queen. The critique of Williams’ message is well-deserved, but, more than a decry of his personal limits, the massive divide within the black church was, and continues to be, on display.

This is what Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, evokes in The Divided Mind of the Black Church: Theology, Piety and Public Witness. Williams’ message supports the notion that the purpose of the church to save souls is at odds with efforts that seek transformation of the social order.

Williams’ disparaged the decline of black economic empowerment, escalating crime and the waning influence of black families led by fathers.

Williams proves the distance between the black church and the mounting work of black liberation and womanist theologies.

These theologies stress the roles and potential the black church plays in addressing racism, sexism and other forms of oppression. These theologies critique the implementation and enforcement of systems and ideologies that cultivate oppression. Williams, and many ministers and pastors of black congregations, places emphasis on personal piety rather than the necessity of protest.

This is the disconnect that inspired Dante James and me to produce God of the Oppressed, a documentary film that explores the theology of Dr. James Cone, the founder of black liberation theology, and womanist theologians inspired by his work. Cone died on April 28, 2018. During his career, he wrote more than a dozen books, including Black Theology & Black Power, A Black Theology of Liberation and God of the Oppressed. In contrast to the position taken by Williams in his eulogy, Cone developed a theology that countered claims

Dr. James Cone

Dante James

church than the rhetoric in Williams’ eulogy. We are more than the sum of our worse parts. There is more than entertainment.

There are preachers, both men and women, who bring substance beyond massive assumptions.

We are a community of mindboggling thinkers. We think and preach about structural evils and the need for liberation. There are many of us, black theologians, preachers, teachers and lay people, who think about the liberation of poor people, women and members of the LGBTQ community.

God of the Oppressed promises to be one of the most impactful films related to the study of black religion. This film follows Dante James’ work on This Far

By Faith: African American Spiritual Journeys, the six-hour PBS series that traced the religious experiences of African descent, through enslavement to emancipation, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement to today.

“Our religious faith and spiritual experience has been essential to not only changing this country but also in facilitating black peoples survival in this country,” James said regarding This Far

by Faith. “Religion has always been there. It is constant and has weathered every political, economic, or social change.”

God of the Oppressed showcases the theologies of Cone, Dr. Gayraud Wilmore, Dr. Jeremiah Wright and other black liberation theologian. The stories of Rev. Pauli Murray and Ella Baker interface with contemporary womanist theologies. Dr. Jacquelyn Grant argues that black women must navigate between the threefold oppression of racism, sexism, and classism. We will examine the work of Grant, Dr. Katie Canon and other womanist theologians who think critically about the roles of black women. In addition, we will consider the work of theologians who stress movement past the homophobic views of many black churches.

God of the Oppressed will explore the history and relevance of Black Liberation Theology. We’ll tell stories of Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Henry McNeal Turner, Gabriel Posser and Fannie Lou

Film poster

W

e’ll ponder the way religion has been used in America, and around the world, to shape both systems of oppression and movements of liberation.

rooted in white evangelical theological assumptions.

“The Christian community, therefore, is that community that freely becomes oppressed, because they know that Jesus himself has defined humanity’s liberation in the context of what happens to the little ones,” Cone writes in God of the Oppressed Cone concedes the identity of Christians is to fight for justice on behalf of the poor. Given God is God of the oppressed, God is present in the work to combat racism and other forms of oppression Williams offers a theology that fails to ponder the structures that produce disparity. He is known for “I fell in love with a prostitute,” his best-selling sermon that can be purchased on his website or on Amazon. It’s a message involving the prophet Hosea, who married an adulterous wife to symbolize the unfaithfulness of Israel to idolatry.

With all the example of unfaithful men in scriptures, it’s meaningful that the story of an unfaithful wife is used to showcase Williams’ theology. During Aretha’s eulogy, he offered 50 minutes of the greatest hits of why many people are leaving black churches - the sexism, the misogyny, the shaming of black mothers and the insistence in refuting black lives matter.

There is more to the black 27

Hammer – who used theology to promote liberation from slavery and equality after slavery. These stories and characters - coupled with gospel, jazz, blues, poetry, art and, hip-hop music as essential storytelling elements - will explore and affirm Black Liberation Theology in framing a perspective of God within the context of an oppressed people.

The film examine how we talk about gender, sexuality and shared leadership. We will share the work of men and women who use liberation theologies in the pursuit of social justice. We will explore how black liberation and womanist theologies influences the work of Rev. Traci Blackmon in Ferguson, MO, Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. in Oakland, CA and others who use theology to shape the direction of their ministries.

We’ll ponder the way religion has been used in America, and around the world, to shape both systems of oppression and movements of liberation. We will explore how black liberation theologies have impacted social justice movements in an international context. We fuse South African Gospel music, church services, sermons and the stories of Bishop Desmond Tutu, a South African Dutch Reformed cleric, politician and anti-apartheid activist, and Allan Boesak, a liberation theologian, to draw parallels to American black theologians.

Warnock is right about the divided mind of the black church.

The schism reflects how the assistance of a rich theological education can benefit both ministers and members of congregations.

The outcome of completing God of the Oppressed is in introducing black liberation and womanist theologies to the masses. The work of the black church is enriched when conversations shift from discussions about personal responsibility to include the influence of systems that impede freedom.

God of the Oppressed will tell the rest of the story regarding the development of black religion. It will explore Warnock’s divided mind of the black church in a way that will advance the pursuit for authentic liberation.

Carl W. Kenney II is co-producer of God of the Oppressed. He is a freelance journalist with work appearing in the Washington Post, Religious News Services and Sojourner Magazine. He can be reached at Revcwkii@hotmail. com

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

FAITH

CHRISTIAN MEN: BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH MEN’S CONFERENCE RECAP

Left to right: Troy Glover, Men’s Ministry Leader, Volunteer Service Award recipients (Rosby Lee,Jake Cockrell and John Coats) and Rev. Dr. Howard T. Washington, Sr. Pastor, Second Baptist Church

By Troy Glover The Second Baptist Church (hereafter referred to as Second) Men’s Ministry, since its inception, has endeavored to actualize a mission statement designed “to enhance and strengthen the spiritual and social health of the men of Second Baptist Church through Christian education, discipleship, training, and development as well as recreational and social activities.” This mission statement has guided the programmatic focus and thrust of the men’s ministry.

It has also helped to clarify God’s vision for the men of Second.

The men of Second held their annual conference October 12 – 14, 2018. The conference served to renew minds, strengthen spiritual health, increase biblical knowledge, and addressed social topics germane to Christian living. The 2018 Men’s Conference took a deep dive towards a man’s role in understanding his commu-

as celebrating some form of communion. Finally, they devoted themselves to prayer which is hearing from and talking to God. The conference began on Friday, October 12 at 7:00 pm with a panel discussion focusing on, “What does it mean to be a Christian Man?” The word Christian first appeared in Acts 11:26 of the new testament and was used in Antioch where the followers of Jesus Christ emulated His behavior.

The word Christian also appears in Acts 26:28 and I Peter 4:16. The panel comprehensively addressed this topic and share personal experiences about their Christian journey. Panelists’ comments of Rev. Dr. Scottie Aaron, Senior Pastor, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church commonality emphasized the need nity. This year’s theme, Christian who may have heard Jesus teach- for men to be intentional in develMen: Building a Community of ing. Second, they devoted them- oping a personal relationship with Believers, was based on the scrip- selves to fellowship. Fellowship Christ, growing in their faith, and tural passage, Acts 2:42-47. This is relational and when it authenti- the need to talk about their faith scripture is characterized by four cally occurs reflects true Chris- with others. Fred Benton, Esquire types of activities for which be- tian behavior and demonstrates and member of Mt. Olivet Baptist lievers were devoted. First, the what it would be like in heaven. Church; Adrian Frederick, Esquire believers devoted themselves to Third, they devoted themselves to and Youth Pastor at New Covethe apostles teaching. The in- the “breaking of bread” for which struction was for new converts Luke is describing the community Continued on Page 29

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

28

FAITH

Troy Glover, Men’s Ministry Leader, Dr. Harold McDaniel, Beacon of Hope Award Recipient and Rev. Dr. Howard T. Washington, Senior Pastor, Second Baptist Church.

Attorney Robert Solomon, Assistant Vice-Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, The Ohio State University.

14. The guest preacher Dr. Gerald Young, Director of Recruitment Enrollment at Ashland Theological Seminary delivered a vibrant and soul stirring message of hope and deliverance as we forge ahead in our Christian walk. Awards were presented to men of Second.

Dr. Harold McDaniel was the recipient of the Beacon of Hope Award for his commitment, dedication, and volunteerism at Second and throughout the Columbus community. In addition, Milton Jones received the Man of the Year Award for answering God’s call to serve, his selfless dedication to the betterment of Second, and modeling Christian manhood.

Other award recipients include the Overcomer of the Year presented to Donald Crockett and Continuous Service to Roland Jackson.

A Volunteer Service Award was presented to John Coats, Jacob Cockrell, and Rosby Lee for donating collectively more than 2,000 hours at an estimated cost of $50,000 for church repairs.

Lawrence Funderburke, MBA--Author, Sociopsychonomics and former OSU and NBA basketball player.

The men of Second look forward to applying what was heard Continued from Page 28 choice. The charge part of his and learned during the men’s conhe challenge is for us to ference and Sunday worship serpresentation admonishes us to nant Believers’ Church and Eric think differently, to engage peoopen our hearts to others vice to be part of the process to Seabrook, Esquire and member of ple, and to trust God opposed to create a community of believers.

Rhema Christian Center all served our own wisdom. The challenge and what they are facing, to as panelists. is for us to open our hearts to oth- have compassion, and genuine Troy Glover is an educational The evening concluded with ers and what they are facing, to planner with more than 20 years’ a sermon by Dr. Scottie Aaron, have compassion, and genuine concern for all life. The choice experience. He has served some Senior Pastor of Friendship Mis- concern for all life. The choice as as Christian Men is whether we the nation’s largest educational sionary Baptist Church. Pastor Christian Men is whether we will communities including school Aaron, like the panelists, un- be inclusive in building a commu- will be inclusive in building a districts in Washington, DC; packed the “Christian Man” part nity of believers or not. community of believers or not. New Orleans, LA; Long Beach, of the weekend theme.

The second workshop, “How CA; Baltimore, MD; Providence, The conference continued can men help build a communiRI; and Pittsburgh, PA. Troy has Saturday, October 13 at 9:00 am ty?” was be led by Lawrence Fun- do we identify the needs of a discussed educational planning with workshops aimed at unpack- derburke, former The Ohio State community?” focused on under- trends at the Association for ing the second half of the theme University Basketball Player and standing what are the principles Learning Environments (A4LE) which is “Building a Community Author. The workshop was key to strengthen our solidarity. This and California Association of of Believers.” Robert Solomon, to identifying specifics relative workshop was led by Bo Chilton, School Business Officials Annual Esquire and Assistant Vice-Pro- to men building and fortifying Executive Director of Columbus Conferences. He has also covost at The Ohio State University a community. Mr. Funderburke and Franklin County Community authored several articles on urban was the presenter for Workshop 1, delivered a powerful presentation Action Agency. issues in School Planning & “How do we define community?” where he began by asking men – Reverend Jamal Turner, Senior Management. Troy serves on the Assistant Vice-Provost Solomon Who is their Lord? What is your Pastor at Calvary Tremont Baptist Morris College Board of Trustees used the scriptural passage Luke Lord’s mandate? And How will Church closed the conference on and the A4LE International Board 10:29-37 to depict the challenge you fulfill His mandate? Mr. October 13 tying all facets of the of Directors. In addition, Troy is that exists with those in whom a Funderburke concluded that the theme together.

Servant Leader for the Second community may be build and he key to building a community is in The men of Second culminated Baptist Church Men’s Ministry used 3 key words to convey his brand identification. the weekend by leading the 10:45 and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha points – charge, challenge, and The third workshop, “How am worship on Sunday, October Fraternity, Incorporated.

T

29

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING Review Proposed New Transportation Projects through MVRPC WHEN: Wednesday, November 14, 2018 WHERE: Goodwill Easter Seals Eichelberger Conference Center 660 South Main St., Dayton, OH TIME: The public may attend anytime between 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

MVRPC will hold a Public Participation Meeting to review the Proposed Program of Projects being considered for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding through the Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (Section 5310).

Meeting participants will review the DRAFT Program of Projects funded with FTA Fiscal Year 2018 allocations for the Dayton Urbanized Area for Section 5310.

For additional information, contact Kim Lahman, Director of Sustainable Planning, at 937.223.6323 or klahman@mvrpc.org

Share the Room, Not the Bed. Every nap, every night, every time.

For a free crib, call 311 or visit celebrateone.info.

Funding support generously provided by: Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, L Brands Foundation and Nationwide® Foundation.

Photograph provided by Cradle Cincinnati.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

30

ELECTION 2018

BLACK MILLENNIALS: WHY OUR VOTE MATTERS

By Cayla Nicole Burton When I was offered the chance to pen an article for the Columbus African American News Journal, my heart might have stopped for a moment. I was honored, and yet my old friend ‘fear’ tried to peak out its ugly head. My creative juices started to bubble with ideas that went into so many different directions, all the while, doubt was still lingering. And yet, here we are. I say this to say, that as young Black Millennials, it’s okay to have doubts, as long as you remember to not allow those doubts to become so paralyzing that it leads you to inaction.

This is an important thing to remember as we head into the Ohio Midterms on November 6, 2018.

I pray that most of you have registered to vote!

We are living in some of the most polarizing and uncertain times of our age. As we watch open protests from alt-right groups, police killings of unarmed Black people, a criminal justice system that insensitively pretends to be “colorblind” and a widening generational wealth gap, it may seem that the cards we have been dealt are stacked against us. And not only that, but that the progress we have been inching towards over the last 50 years, is slowing ebbing backwards. It can be difficult to remain optimistic when faced with such a brutal reality.

I come from a poor, urban Black family where opportunity didn’t really come knocking at the front door. The people in our community were disenfranchised and disillusioned when it came to politics, my family included. For many of us, voting was an afterthought.

Election days came and election days went and nothing around us ever changed. We had poor public transit, poor roads, poor public schools, poor health, and poor habits. We were surrounded by incentives to be civically engaged, yet there was this undeniable disconnect between our actions and our desperate want to see our community change.

I think many in the community where I’m from are not taught, or maybe I should say not convinced, that our vote actually matters. I believe it is to do with the lack of candidates who look like us, but more importantly, the lack of candidates who aren’t afraid to speak up on our issues. I remember the few instances when my parents or others in the community did vote; it was always for a Black candidate simply because he or she was Black. However misguided and uninformed that method is, it speaks

to the distrust and cynicism many have in a predominately white political cultural.

Historically, a majority of African-Americans have voted Democrat, but as racial tensions are on the rise, polls increasingly show that Black voters want to know how Democrats plan to address racial justice issues. BlackPAC, an independent political organization, recently conducted a poll of 1,000 black voters in battleground states of Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina, Illinois, and Florida, which suggests that understanding young Black voters is key for Democrats to win in the midterm elections.

Across income, geographic, and age groups, Black voters see “fighting to end racism and discrimination” as the most important issue, with school funding, access to affordable health care, and fighting for the poor as the next-most-important issues. The poll also indicates that 40 percent of all Black voters believe that Democrats aren’t better than Republicans on ending discrimination or protecting black people from hate crimes.

For many Black Millennials in particular, the tired Democratic focus on blue-collar and poor white people in swing states like Ohio, which uses rhetoric focused on generic economic appeals, is not enough anymore to secure their votes, the very votes that could be the deciding factor for the blue wave in the upcoming election.

I find myself caught in the same predicament but I offer that being a cynic in silent protest to both parties by not expressing your right to vote is not the right solution. I offer the ‘Saga of Kanye’ as to why.

The problem with West’s solution is that it does little to address the very real social, historical, and economic underpinnings of race and class in America. Instead, Kanye has adopted the harmful and dismissive rhetoric of conservatives which blame Black people for creating many of their own problems by constantly focusing on race. I could write a whole book on why that is wrong but thousands already exist.

However, there is a part of his message that I agree with. Kanye’s message of love and unity is born out of wanting to see the stark divisiveness, partisan pettiness, and polarizing agendas between Democrats and Republicans end. I do believe both parties have to find a way to disagree without being disagreeable and truly work to be bipartisan. But the way in which Kanye has approached that message is erroneous. Sadly, he’s unknowingly allowing himself to be used by Republicans and the Trump Administration to pander to Black voters. Not once has President Trump or any Republican reciprocated the same sentiments that Kanye has. He’s given himself as a sacrificial olive branch and has received nothing in return.

The real question that we all must ask, is which Party clearly stands for civil rights, for reproductive rights, for environmental protections, for criminal justice reform, for strong public schools and healthcare? Democrats are the only ones who have consistently supported those ideas. I can earnestly say that Democrats will actually listen and act. They’re the best chance that we have. If we forfeit our most precious privilege that thousands marched and died for – our right to vote – we’ll never fully realize what it means to be a citizen of America.

To those who don’t feel heard amongst the Democratic Party, I offer that you run for office or mobilize others to choose a person you feel really represents the issues you care about. They do exist. I have had the distinct privilege to work for a civil, criminal, and health justice public servant who doesn’t go along to get along, but is bold enough to expose racial disparities across all issues, standing firmly on what she believes is right.

I beg you to not only vote, but I challenge you to remain informed and pay attention to what your elected official is doing after taking office. The onus is on the citizen to fully participate in a democratic society. It is not one for the sheep who aimlessly sleep, while blindly following the herd. Talk to your elected official, invite them to your community, and hold them accountable every step of the way

The Saga of Kanye

As many of you have seen in the news lately, Kanye West has tried, in an often failed attempt, to re-appropriate the ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan to mean a message of love and unity between Blacks and Republicans, in an attempt to save Black folks from the “liberal plantation” and Democratic Party.

It is Kanye’s uninformed belief that liberals use racism to garner the Black vote, stating claims that he was “programmed to think from a victimized mentality and a welfare mentality” by liberals. That couldn’t be further from the truth. And yet he persists. His reasoning is similar to the frustrations that Black voters have expressed with Democrats not being able to effectively improve the lives of their Black base. As we only have two major parties in America, Kanye’s solution to our problem is that Black people should instead vote Republican. Simple and to the point, not much brain power needed.

31

because they are there to be your voice, so make sure your voice is being heard.

The Importance of Issue 1

I can’t end this segment on the Black Millennial vote without mentioning Ohio Issue 1, the Drug and Criminal Justice Policies Initiative that will be featured on the ballot in November. This is what we’ve been fighting for, right? I will be voting YES on Issue 1. Issue 1 is a proposed constitutional amendment designed to reduce the number of people in Ohio’s state prisons for low-level, nonviolent crimes, including drug possession and non-criminal probation violations.

Issue 1 makes the possession, obtainment, and use of drugs no more than a misdemeanor charge that would receive a sentence of probation for a first or second offense within a 24 month period. It also allows for sentence credits to be earned for inmates’ participation in rehabilitative, work, or educational programs. The initiative also requires the state to spend savings resulting in a reduction of the prison population, on drug treatment, crime victim, and rehabilitation programs.

Issue 1 is a step in the right direction for Ohio, especially for African American communities who have been disproportionately affected by the failed War on Drugs that Republicans have pushed. If you have read The New Jim Crow by Ohio State professor Michelle Alexander, than you understand how devastating the War on Drugs and the over criminalization of Blacks has been for the African American family in a post-civil rights era. Of my immediate family, I am the only person to have not abused drugs or gone to jail or prison for drug possession. Let that sink in.

This is a defining moment for Ohio, a moment to move the needle another notch forward. A YES on Issue 1 means treatment over incarceration. A YES on Issue 1 means keeping families together, instead of breaking them a part. A YES on Issue 1 means restoring justice for Black folks who were so easily swept up by a system founded on racism and discrimination.

I urge you to please vote YES on Issue 1!

Cayla Burton is a poet, writer, and activist, who believes in the liberation of the Black mind. She currently serves as the Senior Legislative Aide for Assistant Minority Leader Charleta B. Tavares of the Ohio Senate. She is a Cincinnati native and holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Cincinnati.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

ELECTION 2018

GO VOTE AND KEEP MOVING TO YOUR GOALS

By Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH Now that we’ve heard that the unemployment for African Americans is at an all time low and that everyone who’s looking for a job can find one enough, have you thought about what the next level of living fully employed with health and wellness benefits and reaping the rewards of moving toward a secure future can or should look like?

But, first things first.

Whatever goals you’re setting for yourself and moving toward, voting should be at the top of your to do list between now and Election Day. If you’re eligible to vote, don’t disappoint your ancestors and everyone who marched, bled, was beaten and died before you. Also remember of all the humiliation our elders and prior generations endured trying to pass poll tests designed to make Blacks fail.

Check out the sample poll test that

was being used in Louisiana in the 1960s at the link below. You only had 10 minutes to answer 30 ridiculous questions which were written only to stump Black voters.

Know that your single vote counts and means just as much as the next person regardless of how much he, she or you have volunteered or donated to a candidate’s campaign. Voting is an equalizer in America and that is why the privilege is so precious.

Sure, you can work to pay the bills and get out of debt and make sure you have the basics of life including healthcare. Whatever you envision for your life will mean more if you know you’ve voted and added your voice to the political outcomes hopefully for the better.

Try to think ahead and imagine what work you’re choosing to do now and how it will matter to and for you in the next 10, 5 or even one to two years? You want to think beyond making a living and toward making a life. A big step in that process is getting your financial house in order.

To start this process, consider if you are taking full advantage of the retirement planning that you new employer offers? Read your new employee orientation information and don’t be afraid to ask at your human resources department.

See the links below that gives simple tips to get started or make sure you’re on you way to financial peace and freedom. When your finances are in order, you have improved your physical and mental health greatly by reducing a major source of stress in your life.

For me as a surgeon, medical director and public health doctor, I want to be positioned to enjoy my vocation to the fullest and have a work life balance that allows me to stay fulfilled, healthy and full of joy.

Lately, I’ve been drawn to the abundance of books, articles, podcasts, tweets, and whatever else that advocates about not just living but living well, thriving and having that peace that passes understanding. As my Dad, a retired football player used to say, what do you

want life to look like and how do you want to be living after halftime and into the fourth quarter of the game of life. Realize you don’t get a do over, or mulligan, but you can make a course correction to finish strong.

Get yourself ready by giving yourself permission to be a little self-indulgent to envision what and where you want to be. It’s ok.

Know that as African Americans, especially African American women, we spend all our time being the strong matriarch, putting everything and everyone else before ourselves. The statistic bear out how African American women are more likely to have heart disease, stroke, etc. decades before our white counterparts and that stress is a major contributing factor.

You must get your healing first before you try to save everyone else. If not, everyone will be standing over you at your service, crying their eyes out, singing your praises Benton continued on Page 33

EXAMINING ISSUE 1: WHICH LENS SHOULD I USE?

By Alethea E. Gaddis, MBA If passed on November 6, there will be a constitutional amendment adding a new Section 12 to Article XV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio. The bill will reduce penalties for crimes of obtaining, possessing and using illegal drugs. Admittedly, arguments both for and against the issue are thought-provoking. My examination of the proposed amendment is fueled by my faith, academic training, and from a sociological and economic perspective.

Since second grade I have received many eye exams. My optometrists have explained that the pupil gets smaller when light shines into it. Through dilation with eye drops, the pupil is forced to remain open to fully examine the eye. The physician can now spot problems, diagnose and monitor diseases. Visual acuity is measured with the patient read letters on a chart. A phoropter is utilized to place a series of lenses in front of the patient’s eyes. The process called refraction determines the lens power needed to compensate for any refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism). My eye exams are grueling, yet needful nonetheless and most often require corrective action that enhances my ability to see.

Supporters say the proposed

constitutional amendment will steer non-violent drug offenders away from prison and into treatment. Opponents, claim it will dismantle the work Ohio has already done to curb the opioid epidemic.

Even when the justice system works, the racial and drug-sentencing disparities in the incarceration of blacks is alarming. Consider a few national statistics from a 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health form the NAACP Criminal Justice Fact Sheet (https://www. naacp.org/criminal-justice-factsheet) which is also reflective of trends in Ohio.

• About 17 million whites and 4 million African Americans reported having used an illicit drug within a one-month period.

• African Americans and whites use drugs at similar rates, but the imprisonment rate of African Americans for drug charges is almost six times that of whites.

• African Americans represent 12.5% of illicit drug users, but 29% of those arrested for drug offenses and 33% of those incarcerated in state facilities for drug offenses.

• A criminal record can reduce the likelihood of a callback or job offer by nearly 50 percent. The negative impact of a criminal record is twice as large for African American applicants.

• In 2012 alone, the United States spent nearly $81 billion on corrections.

• Spending on prisons and jails

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

has increased at triple the rate of spending on Pre‐K‐12 public education in the last thirty years.

• Although illicit drug use is approximately the same for African Americans as it is for white people, African Americans are much more likely to be arrested for drug use.

• As of 2007, more than half of those incarcerated were parents of children under the age of 18.

• Finding stable employment is crucial to ensuring that individuals do not re-offend and that these individuals can take care of their families.

• Having a record reduces the likelihood of a job callback or offer by as much as 50 percent.

• White men with a criminal record are more likely to get an interview than Black men with no criminal record.

• Reduced employment for the millions of people with records costs America $78 to $87 billion each year.

As I think about State Issue 1, my experience with the optometrist reminded me that I must focus and look through the appropriate lens before I cast my vote on November 6.

let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone,” as he deals with the Samaritan woman’s accusers at the well. The subject is adultery, but sin is sin. All of us, whether you profess Christianity or not, at some point have been the beneficiary of mercy when justice could have demanded that we pay the penalty. In all cases of sin, including criminal intent, a poor decision was made. While Issue 1 is not perfect, the love of Crist compels me to think of those who after an infraction, seek to turn their life around, and function as productive members of society.

The Academic Lens

All my coursework that produced a Criminal Justice degree from Bowling Green State University (OH) trained me to give credence to the following elements of law enforcement: the judiciary, corrections, and probation that directly result in the apprehension, prosecution, defense, sentencing, incarceration, and supervision of those suspected of or charged with criminal offenses. Each of these components contributes specific aspects to maintaining the law, crime prevention and promoting The Faith Lens justice for victims and the rehaWhile Christ is perfect Christ, bilitation for offenders. My spethe church pews are filled with im- cialization was corrections coupled perfect people. The stories in the with a keen interest in recidivism Bible tell of human beings who rates, prison reform, and recovery did not always hit the mark. In John 8:7, Jesus says “All right, but Gaddis continued on Page 33 32

COMMUNITY

LIBRARY OPENS NEW MARTIN LUTHER KING BRANCH COLUMBUS—Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) has cut the ribbon on its new Martin Luther King Branch.

Martin Luther King III, the oldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was on hand to provide a keynote address and help dedicate the new branch named for his father. CML’s former Martin Luther King Branch, dedicated in 1969 by Martin Luther King Sr., was the first public library in the country named in honor of the late Civil Rights leader.

The new Martin Luther King Branch has: • 18,000 square feet of space on one and a half floors (two times larger than the former branch) • Interactive Children’s area with more space for programs and areas for children to read, study and use computers • Ready for Kindergarten area where preschoolers and their families can prepare for kindergarten • Teen area with computers, study space and comfortable seating • Larger Homework Help Center where students can get free after-school help • Three large meeting rooms

Benton from Page 32 around the chicken and potato salad and then go on quite ok and well without you. I think it’s safe to assume that’s now how you want to finish. Even the Proverbs 31 woman rested so you should too.

You can start with regular journaling and quiet time. Imagine a big picture and then write the small steps that you can change to move closer to your vision. For example, remember back to when you were young and what your friends and family said you were good at. Also recall what are the talents and activities that you do naturally without thinking about them that other people admire but you may take for granted.

For example, people tell me, I like to teach and train people and am good at recognizing what other people do well and giving them ideas for their next steps. I’m very visual –most surgeons are- but I also see a lot of small details and have learned how to put that together to tell stories and complete a bigger picture.

I like journalism and would love to spend my time interviewing people I think have it all together and have accomplished a lot. I would love to connect them and their wisdom with people who

serves. Some of CML’s 23 locations are 40 to 50 years old and inadequate to meet the demands of a growing 21st century community. Demands and expectations will continue to grow, along with the population of Franklin County.

In addition to being a vital community asset, Columbus Metropolitan Library strives to minimize its environmental footprint. With each new building or renovation project, CML plans to use sustainable building materials, incorporate glass for natural light to reduce energy costs and introduce other design and building elements friendly to the natural environment.

Phase one of CML’s aspirational building program is transforming and significantly upgrading seven urban branches (Driving Park, Whitehall, Parsons, Martin Luther King, Northside, Northern Lights, Shepard) and two suburban branches (Hilliard and Dublin). In addition, changes to Main Library represent a major investment in downtown Columbus and the Discovery District. Visit columbuslibrary.org for more information and to track progress of CML’s ambitious building program.

for the community to gather and meet • Four study rooms for individual or small group study • Multiple seating areas including a Reading Porch • A robust collection to meet the community’s needs • Art that celebrates the community The new Martin Luther King Branch is located at the corner of East Long Street and Taylor Avenue, just a few blocks west

of the branch it replaced. At approximately 18,000 square feet, the new branch has more than doubled the size of the former Martin Luther Branch, which spanned nearly 9,000 square feet.

Turner was the construction manager at risk and Moody Nolan was the architect.

CML understands that great libraries create stronger communities, and each branch is an essential hub that reflects the unique needs of the neighborhood it

are stalled in where they are trying to go to get them unstuck from their health, education, finances, passions, whatever is holding them back. I want to help people move into spaces they can celebrate the gifts of their life with practical information and support.

For example, in addition to my clinical training, I have skills as an instructor in dance and fitness, business administration, interior decorating, coding, photography and videography. It’s quite a mixed bag but I try to live life thinking I want to be ready for the next big thing and don’t want to regret not stepping out for a new experience or opportunity.

To paraphrase the message of leadership coach John C. Maxwell, having a lack of realism in your vision today will cost you in credibility or making your plans come true tomorrow. In preparing for living your tomorrow to the fullest, try not to leave anything behind you needed or had access to today to get ready for it. Prepare for your next big move, one day at a time, one small step at a time, even one moment at a time.

out those lenses and invest the time to review the pros and cons of from criminal behaviors, including State Issue 1. You can search for drug abuse. I believe we are the Legislation and Ballot Issues on sum of all our decisions and with the Ohio Secretary of State webappropriate structure, effective site: www.sos.state.oh.us treatment, guidance, motivation, The proposed legislation isn’t and will-power, we can change. perfect, and we could be sliding down a slippery slope or climbing The Social and Economic the mountain to higher ground.

You decide. We decide. Cast an Lens Society and our communities informed vote on November 6. stand in dire need of the re-evolution of a strong, intact family Alethea is the former Executive core that represents the norm and Director of New Beginnings not the exception. The absence C h r i s t i a n R e v i t a l i z a t i o n of family members by drug use, Corporation for First Church abuse, and incarnation impact of God, she developed youth employment and sustainability leadership development and while disrupting the family unit. educational programs for youth While the law of cause and effect and created clean, safe, affordable is, in fact, real, could individu- housing for low-to-moderate als, families, and communities income families. She and her be better served with a paradigm brother Randal are co-founders shift in sentencing? How about of the Willie and Vivian Gaddis a different strategy with the po- Foundation for KIDS, offering tential for greater rewards if the Jump Start U4 College Tour money is re-allocated from hous- and scholarships. She has also ing criminals to treating the be- directed youth drug and alcohol havior? Ohio spends more than prevention programs and is $1.8 billion annually on a prison currently a Franklin County system that houses many people CASA/GAL volunteer advocating who pose minimal threat to pub- for abused and neglected children. lic safety.

As a licensed, independent There are so many issues to insurance broker, she works consider regarding this proposed with individuals, families, and amendment. I urge you to take churches to protect their assets.

Gaddis from Page 32

Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH (The Doctor is In) breastsurgeonlb@ gmail.com, Twitter:@DctrLisa (415) 746-0627 33

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

By Ray Miller Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Live

By Brene Brown Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. Based on twelve years of pioneering research, New York Times bestselling author, Brené Brown PhD, LMSW, dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and argues that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage. Brown explains how vulnerability is both the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief, and disappointment, and the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation, and creativity. She writes: “When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.” Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen.

God of the Oppressed

By James H. Cone In his reflections on God, Jesus, suffering, and liberation, James H. Cone relates the gospel message to the experience of the Black community. But a wider theme of the book is the role that social and historical context plays in framing the questions we address to God as well as the mode of the answers provided.

Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Health Divides and Restore Balance

By Edgar Villanueva Decolonizing Wealth is a provocative analysis of the dysfunctional colonial dynamics at play in philanthropy and finance. Award-winning philanthropy executive Edgar Villanueva draws from the traditions from the Native way to prescribe the medicine for restoring balance and healing our divides.

The Hidden Life of Trees

By Peter Wohleben

Are trees social beings? In this international bestseller, forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers.

Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in his woodland. After learning about the complex life of trees, a walk in the woods will never be the same again.

With great compassion--because the Native way is to bring the oppressor into the circle of healing--Villanueva is able to both diagnose the fatal flaws in philanthropy and provide thoughtful solutions to these systemic imbalances.

Decolonizing Wealth is a timely and critical book that preaches for mutually assured liberation in which we are all inter-connected.

City of Inmates: Conquest, Rebellion, and the Rise of Human Caging in Los Angeles 1771-1965

The Dawn of Detroit: A Chronicle of Slavery and Freedom in the City of the Straits

By Kelly Lytle Hernandez

By Tiya Miles Most Americans believe that slavery was a creature of the South and that Northern states and territories provided stops on the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves on their way to Canada.

In this paradigm-shifting book, celebrated historian Tiya Miles reveals that slavery was at the heart of the Midwest’s iconic city: Detroit.

Los Angeles incarcerates more people than any other city in the United States, which imprisons more people than any other nation on Earth. This book explains how the City of Angels became the capital city of the world’s leading incarcerator.

Marshaling more than two centuries of evidence, historian Kelly Lytle Hernandez unmasks how histories of native elimination, immigrant exclusion, and black disappearance drove the rise of incarceration in Los Angeles. In this telling, which spans from the Spanish colonial era to the outbreak of the 1965 Watts Rebellion, Hernandez documents the persistent historical bond between the racial fantasies of conquest, namely its settler colonial form, and the eliminatory capacities of incarceration.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

In this richly researched and eye-opening book, Miles has pieced together the experience of the unfree—both native and African American—in the frontier outpost of Detroit, a place wildly remote yet at the center of national and international conflict. Skillfully assembling fragments of a distant historical record, Miles introduces new historical figures and unearths struggles that remained hidden from view until now.

34

COMMUNITY

FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS RELEASES SURVEY ON BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR PLAY Columbus, OH— It’s no secret that kids today don’t engage in as much outdoor play time as previous generations, and that shift has impacted everything from family bonds to mental/ social and physical health. According to a new Franklin Park Conservatory survey of parents and grandparents in Ohio, the majority of families crave additional time spent outdoors, citing bonding time and emotional health as valuable resulting benefits.

“We’ve long touted the importance of connecting people with nature, and that concept has driven much of our programming and expansion over the years – most recently with the addition of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden,” said Bruce Harkey, President and CEO of Franklin Park Conservatory. “The feedback from parents and grandparents in this survey confirms and gives more context to what we’ve known all along: the benefits of outdoor play extend far beyond fresh air and physical fitness.”

Key findings from the survey included: • 69 percent indicated their kids spend less time outside than they did, and three out of four respondents wish their families spent more time outside • 67 percent of respondents cited kids’ preference for playing with technology as a key barrier to outdoor time

• Unstructured weekday playtime decreases with age, from 3+ hours among the very young to less than 2 hours for older children – especially important because “play” is directly tied to cognitive, social and physical development • Bonding/connecting with each other and physical activity are the top benefits respondents identified with outdoor play, with 94 percent and 97 percent, respectively • One-third of respondents say that “emotional health” is the most valuable benefit of playing outside, suggesting that the outdoors can help provide fast relief for bad tempers and moods • Respondents noted limited access to unspoiled envi-

ronments (aside from parks and playgrounds), and also identified safety as a concern that deters outdoor play – making spaces like the new Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden even more valuable Since opening The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden in May, the Conservatory has seen significant increases both in overall visitation and the diversity of neighborhoods from which those visitors are coming. Conservatory attendance is tracking to finish 70 percent over 2017’s attendance with an increase in visitation from urban and suburban areas of central Ohio. Now that fall has arrived, additional opportunities to get outdoors and experience the year-round attrac-

tion include Harvest Blooms, sponsored by Fahlgren Mortine (through October 28). This year’s display collects familiar signs of fall and magnifies them into one centralized spectacular of autumn.

The exhibit includes: 5,000 members of the Cucurbitacea family (ornamental gourds, pumpkins, squash); 1,500 members of the Brassicaceae family (ornamental kale, cabbage, etc.); 4,500 flowering Chrysanthemums (aka hardy mums); and a 10-foot-tall “Pumpkin House” located in the Children’s Garden.

November and December are also great months for families to visit and experience Conservatory Aglow (November 17 to January 2). This popular holiday exhibition will be bigger and better than ever and includes brilliant light displays, captivating visual art installations, and lush seasonal plantings throughout the Conservatory including the Children’s Garden and Grand Mallway. Aside from special events, visitors can access the Children’s Garden any time of the year (availability of some features are weather dependent).

For more information on The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory and upcoming exhibits and events, please visit FPConservatory.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

AS OHIO TRAILS NATION IN COLLEGE ATTAINMENT, NEW REPORT LAYS OUT PLAN FOR EQUITABLE, FREE COLLEGE Ohio ranks below average in share of adults with at least an associate degree and is among the least affordable states for college. Policy Matters Ohio today released a new plan for equitable, free college to address these related problems.

The state aims for 65 percent of adults to hold at least an associate degree by 2025. With seven years to go, only 39 percent of Ohioans hold any advanced degree, compared to 42 percent nationally.

Ohio ranks 45th least affordable for college. In total, Ohioans hold $57 billion in student loan debt.

Costs rise as public investment falls and Ohio spent 15 percent less per college student in 2017 than in 2008 – $1,073 in today’s dollars.

State support for need-based aid fell from $223 million in 2008 to $99 million in 2018.

Ohioans pursuing public service careers are at a particular disadvantage. Careers like teaching and so-

P

romise plans commit to provide free or debt-free tuition to qualifying students, often restricted to recent high school graduates and based on GPA.

school graduates and based on GPA. Low-income students, students of color and older students are often excluded.

Structural discrimination makes it harder for people of color to secure good-paying jobs and afford tuition. Forty percent of white Ohioans hold a college degree compared to 26.5 percent of African Americans, 26.9 percent of Latinx Ohioans and 31.7 percent of Native Americans.

“We’ve been cutting taxes for the wealthiest for years at the expense of our public colleges and need-based aid,” said report author, Policy Matters researcher Victoria Jackson. “An Ohio Promise plan for equitable free college will prepare more Ohioans to meet future challenges.”

• Policy Matters proposes The Ohio Promise that does the following: • Provides first-dollar grant for tuition and fees, meaning

cial work often pay modestly, and students often rack up high debt.

This week, news broke that the U.S. Department of Education’s public service loan forgiveness program, which helps people in public service careers pay off student debt, has been failing borrowers – turning down 99 percent of applications, in part because of the failures of predatory loan servicers.

Ohio needs to help more people afford higher education.

Nineteen states have free college promise programs. Promise plans commit to provide free or debtfree tuition to qualifying students, often restricted to recent high 35

Promise Grant will pay for tuition and fees and the Pell Grant and OCOG can be used for books and living expenses • Provide students attending community colleges and regional campuses with the same amount of OCOG as students at public universities • Provide aid to recent high school graduates, returning students and older adults • Provide aid to moderate-income students at community colleges and public universities • Make full- and part-time students eligible • Eliminate GPA and ACT/ SAT requirements – let admissions offices set standards • Guarantee that this is a grant, never a loan Read full report at: https://t. e2ma.net/click/vaegzc/favsuvc/ nov8oy Contact: Victoria Jackson

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

HEALTH FIGHTING FOR HEALTHCARE JUSTICE – AWARDS ANNOUNCED

“

I want every baby to be born healthy, wanted and loved...”

— Dr. Patricia Gabbe, Moms2B founder

By Charleta B. Tavares “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There are everyday heroes and sheroes combatting the inequities, discrimination, poor treatment and blind health neglect of our racial, ethnic and cultural communities throughout Ohio. We have individuals like Dr. Quinn Caper, IV, Angela C. Dawson, Thomas “Tom” Horan, Reed Fraley and Kelly Miller, RN who have unselfishly, proactively and with tenacity fought to eliminate health inequities.

In 2015, PrimaryOne Health under the leadership of its then new Chief Executive Officer initiated the first Healthcare Justice Awards (HCJ) event to honor individuals who were working to address the discrimination, unjust treatment and culturally inappropriate care being provided to racial and ethnic residents in the Central Ohio area. The goal was to raise awareness among healthcare systems, social service agencies, civic leaders and the broader society about the work of these individuals. The Healthcare Justice Awards was also designed to educate the community on the issues that were impeding positive health outcomes for racial and ethnic populations, as well as to raise resources to assist in providing primary and specialty care for those without healthcare coverage.

The PrimaryOne Health HCJ Planning Committee is proud to announce that Dr. Patricia “Pat” Gabbe has been selected as one of this year’s award recipients. Dr. Pat Gabbe has 15 years of experience as a Medical Director including both Medicaid and Academic Health Plans from 1986 to 2001 in Philadelphia, Ohio State and the University of Washington, Seattle. In 2001, she joined the Pediatric faculty at Vanderbilt

The PrimaryOne Health HCJ Planning Committee is proud to announce that Dr. Patricia “Pat” Gabbe has been selected as one of this year’s award recipients.

College of Medicine and became the Medical Advisor for Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee. With her Vanderbilt Colleagues she received a $2.48 million grant from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee to study and reduce premature births and disparity in Middle Tennessee. In July 2008, Dr. Gabbe returned to Ohio State to become the Senior Medical Director Advisor, The Ohio State University Health Plans and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

In 2010, Dr. Gabbe founded the Moms2B a ten week nutrition and comprehensive prenatal and first year of life program with a goal of full-term, healthy weight births and the elimination of disparities among African American babies. Moms2B provides weekly education and support sessions to promote healthy lifestyle choices and link Moms with support services. The education topics focus on: breastfeeding, child development, family planning, goal setting, labor and delivery, maternal-

infant health, positive parenting, reproductive health and safe sleep.

Dr. Gabbe and her team have located the Moms2B program in eight neighborhoods in Columbus with higher infant mortality rates.

The program’s success is measured one healthy birth at a time.

The second award recipient is a surprise for one of the PrimaryOne Health’s team members. This individual will be announced at the award luncheon. The Healthcare Justice Awards will be presented on October 31, 2018 from 11:30 – 1:00pm at the Easton Hilton Hotel. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and Chief Executive Officer of COSI. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated,”…injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane”. The Board and staff of PrimaryOne Health work daily to provide quality, accessible and affordable care to any and all residents in Central Ohio. We cannot be all that we can be if we are not healthy. “We cannot be ready to

learn or ready to earn”®, stated Charleta B. Tavares, CEO of PrimaryOne Health. Our community residents deserve caring, respectful and compassionate healthcare providers who provide quality services. Our team is proud to recognize these award recipients who embody our values and believe that all of our residents merit the best care.

Since the inaugural event the organization is proud to have established the Community Charity Fund housed at The Columbus Foundation, in order to pay for medical services for our patients who are unable to pay for the quality healthcare services they need. Tickets for the luncheon can be purchased online at www. primaryonehealth.org/healthcarejusticeawards/ or contact yolanda. owens@primaryonehealth.org.

PrimaryOne Health offers holistic healthcare with primary, dental, vision, pediatrics, nutrition, mental health and substance use disorder clinicians. The organization is focused on improving the health and well-being of African Americans and other marginalized community members with culturally appropriate care to support wellness.

Charleta B. Tavares is the Chief Executive Officer at PrimaryOne Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) system providing comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health and specialty care at 10 locations in Central Ohio. The mission is to provide access to services that improve the health status of families including people experiencing financial, social, or cultural barriers to health care. www.primaryonehealth.org.

To Advertise in The Columbus - Dayton African American contact us at: editor@columbusafricanamerican.com 503 S. High Street - Suite 102 Columbus, OH 43215 614-571-9340 The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

36

COMMUNITYEVENTS Columbus, Ohio Location: Central Community House Address: 1150 E. Main Street 43205 Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Admission: Free Web: www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-commission-onblack-girls-focus-group-for-girls-11-14-years-of-age-tickets51406953582?aff=ebdssbdes

November 1, 2018 The Lincoln Theatre’s Community Conversations is a free series designed to generate community discussion on a variety of interesting questions surrounding the arts. This discussion will center on the Harlem Renaissance which was an intellectual, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, from approximately 1918 until the mid-1930s. Also known as the “New Negro Movement” at the time, this glorious rebirth of the AfricanAmerican arts cast a cultural spell over the nation and the world.

Two Columbus natives—jazz drummer Carl “Battleaxe” Kenny and jazz trumpeter Harry “Sweets” Edison—walked both the “Million Dollar Block” of Columbus’ Long Street and the heart of Harlem along Manhattan’s Lenox Avenue during this unprecedented groundswell of African-American artistic expression.

Location: Lincoln Theatre Address: 769 E. Long Street 43203 Time: Doors open 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m.

Admission: Free Web: http://www.lincolntheatrecolumbus.com/

November 3, 2018 The Columbus Commission on Black Girls is studying the quality of life for Columbus Black girls, ages 11-22 years. The Commission is offering several ways for girls to provide input. The Commission is hosting a focus group for girls 15-18 years of age to share their thoughts about issues impacting their quality of life. Lift refreshments will be served.

Location: Central Community House Address: 1150 E. Main Street 43205 Time: 12:30 – 2 p.m.

Admission: Free Web: www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-commission-onblack-girls-focus-group-for-girls-15-18-years-of-age-tickets51407292596?aff=ebdssbde

November 1, 2018 Welcome to #BlackTech614! Learn how you can get involved and connect with industry peers who are passionate about the uplift, growth and development of Black Technologists in Columbus.

Sponsored by TEKsystems; food and drinks will be provided.

Location: Pillar Technology Group, LLC Address: 580 N. 4th St., Ste. 190 43215 Time: 6-8 p.m.

Admission: Free Web: BlackTech614@eventbrite.com

November 4, 2018 Beeler Gallery and Columbus College of Art & Design’s Writing, Literature, and Philosophy department are hosting a poetry reading by local poets reflecting on the influence of the Harlem Renaissance.

Poets will read from the work of key Harlem Renaissance figures, as well as from their own work. The event is free and open to the public and is part of the citywide celebration, “I, Too Sing America: The Harlem Renaissance at 100.” It’s also happening on Extra Art Sunday, an event that brings together downtown Columbus art spaces for a day of art.

Location: CCAD Canzani Center Screening Room Address: 60 Cleveland Ave. 43215 Time: 2 p.m.

Admission: Free Web: www.ccad.edu/calendar

November 3 – 4, 2018 Produced and presented by the Lincoln Theatre Association, Renaissance MAGIC! is an original work of musical theatre set to the music of the intellectual, social, and artistic explosion of the early 1900s known as the Harlem Renaissance. Showcasing an all-local cast and creative team, this enchanting time-travel retrospective educates and entertains through acting, song, and dance, paying homage to the glorious rebirth of the African-American arts.

Location: Lincoln Theatre Address: 769 E. Long Street 43203 Time: Doors open 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m.

Admission: Check website for ticket prices Web: http://www.lincolntheatrecolumbus.com/

November 9, 2018 Speakeasy on the Avenue, in participation with the “I, Too Sing America: The Harlem Renaissance at 100, is a multi-disciplinary program with dance, music and poetry. The program features special Harlem Renaissance cuisine and performances by BalletMet 2, Mojoflo and Dionne Custer-Edwards. Guests are encouraged to dress in their finest Harlem Renaissance attire. Speakeasy on the Avenue is made possible by support from Park National Bank and “I, Too Sing America: Harlem Renaissance at 100.”

Location: The King Arts Complex Address: 867 Mount Vernon Avenue, Nicholson Auditorium 43203 Time: 7 – 10 p.m.

Admission: $50 - $750 Web: https://cbusharlem100.org/

November 3, 2018 College Kids Tours will take high school students to Central State University for their College Preview Day. Students will be treated to a performance by Central State’s Grammy Award Nominated Chorus, Invincible Marching Marauders Band and the University Black Diamonds Dancing Belles. Students will be able to participate in Mock Classes in the Colleges of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Business, and the College of Science & Engineering. Auditions will be available for students interested in the band, choir and sports. Lunch provided.

Space is limited to 40 participants and is on a first-come basis.

Location: Central State University Address: Brush Row Road; Room 142 Time: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission: Free Web: www.eventbrite.com/e/college-kids-tours-visit-to-csu-collegepreview-day-tickets-50869072766?aff=ebdssbdestsearch November 3, 2018 The Columbus Commission on Black Girls is studying the quality of life for Columbus Black girls, ages 11-22 years. The Commission is offering several ways for girls to provide input. The Commission is hosting a focus group for girls 11-14 years of age to share their thoughts about issues impacting their quality of life. Lift refreshments will be served.

37

November 10, 2018 The Columbus Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. presents their annual Literary Café featuring Nina Foxx, an awardwinning filmmaker, playwright and novelist. Works produced by Foxx (also known as Cynnamon Foster) has appeared on numerous bestseller lists around the country and her films have won awards at the Sundance Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival, Cannes, and the Rome International Film Festival. She is the recipient of an African American Literature Award in both Young Adult Fiction for her book, Catfish and Best Anthology for A Letter for My Mother as well as an NAACP Image Award Nominee.

Location: Mifflin Middle School Address: 3000 Agler Road 43219 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Admission: $25 Web: www.eventbrite.com/e/crimson-pages-2018-literary-cafetickets-50291759005 The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

COMMUNITYEVENTS Dayton, Ohio plays in their interactions with low-income families.

Location: University of Dayton Research Institute Address: 1700 S. Patterson Blvd. 45409 Time: 8:30 - Noon Admission: Free Web: www.eventbrite.com/e/cope-volunteer-registration-udemerging-leaders-tickets-51084669622?aff=ebdssbcitybrowse

November 2, 2018 Thinking of starting a new business? Need advice concerning your existing business? Get expert one-on-one support from the Dayton Chapter of SCORE, a national network of entrepreneurs and corporate managers. Appointments are encouraged; please call 9378631 to schedule an appointment.

Location: Dayton Metro Library - Main Branch, Launch Pointe Blue, 2nd Floor Address: 215 E. Broad 45402 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Admission: Not listed Web: http://daytonmetrolibrary.evanced.info/signup/ List?df=list&nd=100&et=12

November 7, 2018 Knowing as much as possible about the customers and market your business serves is critical to your small business success!

Join Dayton Metro Library’s Business Services Librarian who will demonstrate how you can use free library resources to: Identify potential customers; Find information on consumer demographics; Access reliable information on market size and critical trends; Identify and research your competition; Analyze potential business locations. Registration is required; call 937-281-0118 to register.

Location: The Entrepreneurs Center Address: 714 E. Monument Ave. 45402 Time: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Admission: Not listed Web: http://daytonmetrolibrary.evanced.info/signup/ List?df=list&nd=100&et=12

November 3, 2018 Excessive debt can cause depression, anxiety, stress, anger, frustration, shame, and fear. There are actions we can take to help improve the situation. In this workshop presented by the Dayton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in conjunction with Wright Patterson Credit Union will help you understand your credit score, develop and plan your finances and recognize good debt vs. bad debt. Participants will leave with the Five Steps To Debt Freedom, Six Steps to Improving Credit and knowledge about Assessing Your Credit Situation.

Location: Dayton Metro Library Northwest Branch Address: 2410 Philadelphia Drive 45405 Time: 10 a.m. – Noon (Registration begins at 930 a.m.)

Admission: Free Web: www.eventbrite.com/e/money-matters-getting-a-grip-oncredit-and-debt-tickets-51107785763

November 9, 2018 The Ubuntu Film series presents Mandela the fighter, Mandela the activist and Mandela the politician, the idealist, and the symbol of a new South Africa, the symbol of peace. Driven by the philosophy of Ubuntu, Nelson Mandela was a fascinating, multifaceted figure who will continue to be remembered for his contribution to humanity.

This film series seeks to illuminate the fight for civil and human rights as the life and history of Mandela embodies. This event is the first in a month-long series highlighting the life of Nelson Mandela.

The series includes readings, exhibits and various discussions. See website for more information.

Location: The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Address: 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati 45202 Time: 2 p.m.

Admission: Free with general admission Web: freedomcenter.org/content/calendar-event-ubuntu-film-series

November 4, 2018 Join Wright Library for a conversation about voting. American Citizens have the right to vote for officials who will represent us and our interests in all levels of government. It’s a right that many Americans hold dear and exercise regularly. However, many other Americans over the age of 18 don’t vote for various reasons. Besides vote counts, other forces like gerrymandering, campaign money, errors, and possible hacking can affect election outcomes. What’s great about America’s voting system? What needs to be improved to keep our system fair and secure? Registration requested. Drop-in participants also welcome.

Note: this is NOT an issues-oriented discussion about the upcoming election.

Location: Address: 1776 Far Hills Ave. Oakwood 45419 Time: 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Admission: Not listed Web: www.daytonlocal.com/events/wright-library-lets-talk-ourvoting-system.asp

November 14, 2018 Barracoon tells the true story of a man who was free in Africa, captured and illegally smuggled into America, worked as a slave, then was a free man after the civil war. The book was not published until over 70 years after Zora Neal Hurston originally wrote it. In 1927, Zora Neale Hurston traveled to Plateau, Alabama, to visit eighty-six-year-old Cudjo Lewis, a survivor of the Clotilda, the last slaver known to have made the transatlantic journey. Illegally brought to the United States, Cudjo was enslaved fifty years after the slave trade was outlawed. At the time, Cudjo was the only person alive who could recount this integral part of the nation’s history.

As a cultural anthropologist, Hurston was eager to hear about these experiences firsthand. But the reticent elder didn’t always speak when she came to visit. Sometimes he would tend his garden, repair his fence, or appear lost in his thoughts. Join us to discuss this book and what it means to us in 2018!

Location: St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Address: 6120 Ridge Avenue, Cincinnati 45213 Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Admission: $7 Web: www.eventbrite.com/e/barracoon-the-story-of-the-last-blackcargo-book-discussion-tickets-51373167527?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

November 7, 2018 One in five children in America live at or below the poverty line.

These numbers should disturb us, yet statistics can have a numbing effect. The Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) offers an opportunity to gain a glimpse into the lives of families in our communities that face poverty every day. Think Tank and the CareSource Foundation partnered to develop COPE, which was co-designed with lowincome individuals who shared their story to give participants a glimpse into the lives of low-income individuals and families living in our community. Their stories go be yond the stereotype of what is seen on the news or written about under-resourced individuals. Also captured in the experience is the role that the broader community

Please note: Information for this section is gathered from multiple commnuity sources. The Columbus & Dayton African American is not responsible for the accuracy and content of information. Times, dates and locations are subject to change. If you have an event that you would like to feature in this section, please call 614-826-2254 or email us at editor@columbusafricanamerican.com. Submissions are due the last Friday of each month.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • November 2018

38

Board of Commissioners

hr-boc.franklincountyohio.gov/job-openings/

Franklin County employees help Central Ohio thrive Local government employees contribute to the community while being a part of a dynamic, fair and flexible environment.

Visit our website today to see how you can make a difference!

KEVIN L. BOYCE

MARILYN BROWN

JOHN O’GRADY

quality,

Preserving central Ohio communities through affordable housing.

Proud recipient,

Housing Visionary Award ITALIAN VILLAGE

KING-LINCOLN DISTRICT

WEINLAND PARK

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

Our organizations fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, military status or disability.

OCCH: 88 East Broad Street, Suite 1800 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: 614.224.8446 www.occh.org

CPO Management & CPO Impact: 910 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205 Phone: 614.253.0984 www.cpoms.org | www.cpoimpact.org