BallEdition
TIMELESS
HISTORYWASMADE
ENDOFTHEYEAREVENTS ANDPLANSFOR2025
SPONSORRECOGNITION
United Black Firefighters Of Akron
SPECIALEDITION
MD Sommerville Editor
Heartfelt Thank You
What it means to be a Black Firefighter
- Jamarr Housework
Retirees Gonebutneverforgotten
Meet the Newbies
Chanel Green- Wright
Clifton Harris
T harris Jaydon Gachett
Brendon De naley
Calihya clark
Kyle Langston
Romeo Jeffries
Meet the Newbies Cont.
Josh Morris
Caleb Law
Zoey Stone
Isaiah wheeler
Rozsa Sykes
Rico smith
Willie twitty Israel moore
THE BEGINNING
Class of 76 - 79
The first group of Black Men hired collectively by The Akron Fire Department
The 50th Anniversary of the United Black Firefighters of Akron, Inc. is being commemorated in 2024. This group was formed in 1973 and incorporated and chartered by the State of Ohio in 1974 under the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters as part of the Northern Central Region
In 1973, seven black men were hired to the Akron Fire Department by the efforts of the Akron NAACP and a hiring restraining order one black person hired to Akron Fire for each white person hired pending the certification of an all-white persons certified eligibility list.
Charter founding members are: Waddell Jeffries, Stan Anderson, Lee Bethune, Charles Gladman Jr., Dave Goodwell, Bill Stevens, and Bill Lemley. To date, only two members of this class have passed away.
Class of '73
Acts of Service
Information seminar And Walk through training
The recruitment team provided candidates with information regarding the fire service, expectations for the remainder of the recruitment process, and an opportunity to walk through the physical agility course
Youngstown State University
The recruitment team met with students and athletes from YSU to showcase diversity in the fire service, while also presenting these students with information and an opportunity to potential seek employment with our department.
Acts of Service
Safety Town
Teaching our youth
Fire safety
With Akron Public School
Thermal imaging camera
Our firefighters learning how to utilize our latest tool in fire detection
Fire Safety Presentation
With the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Butler
Our Purpose
The purpose of our organization is to disseminate knowledge of theory and practice of all aspects of the fire service, including the recruitment and promotion of competent Black individuals, as well as the furtherance of the professional development of our members. We aim to provide positive Black role models for the community and create a liaison between Black firefighters across the nation.
Our Goals
Goals: membership of the black firefighters of the City of Akron and surrounding cities and townships banding together with a common goal of retaining firefighters and collaborating with black firefighter organizations of the International Association of the Black Professional Firefighters.
Our Future
The United Black Firefighters of Akron continues to work toward the number of Black, multicultural, and women firefighters of Akron reflecting the demographics of the city in which we live and serve.
History was made...
Fire Chief Leon Henderson, the third Black man in department history to be fire chief, praised Lash, saying she is dedicated to excellence and is "exceptional" at collaborating with people inside and outside the department
"When it comes to leadership, when it comes to her qualifications, knowledge, skill and ability, she is an exception to everything she does," Henderson said
A trailblazing Akron firefighter has attained another first for the department in her ascension through its ranks. Sierjie Lash's promotion to district chief — effective Thursday — makes her the first woman to hold the position
"I often tell people I'm in no role to compete with others," Lash said. "But every day I come in, I compete with myself to do better than I did yesterday."
Captain Sierjie Lash became the first woman to be promoted to District Chief in the Akron Fire Department in August 2024. Lash has been with the department for 21 years and was previously promoted to Captain in 2022, becoming the first woman to hold that rank as well. Lash has encouraged other women who want to advance in their careers to be curious, self-advocate, and take advantage of opportunities to learn. She recommends taking classes, participating in leadership opportunities, and joining open committee spots in the union. Lash also advises women to focus on competing with themselves to improve, rather than worrying about what others are doing.
- District Chief Sierjie Lash
UBFFA President David DiLauro
33 Years of Service
▪Fire/Medic
▪Fire Inspector
Dave accepted the position of union President summer 2024.
Charles Gladman Commemorative Awards
Charles Gladman Jr. began his career with the Akron Fire Department in 1973, as a firefighter. In 1979, he was promoted to lieutenant and company officer, and in 1986 he was promoted to Captain. Gladman was promoted to Deputy Chief in 1992. He became Akron's 15th Fire Chief and first ever black Chief in 1997.
Recipient of the Charles Gladman Jr. Commemorative Award
Communitycontributions:
President,AkronAlumnaeChapter,DeltaSigmaThetaSorority,Inc President,BLAC,BlackLeadershipAlumniCouncil,Universityof Akron Board,Chair,SojournerTruthLegacyScholarships Board,SummitCountyHistoricalSociety AthenaAkron,MemberandCommunityAwardee2023 PrimaryAdvisor,DeltaSigmaThetaSororityInc.,ZetaAlpha Chapter,UofAkron Member,LeagueofWomenVoters,Akron Member,NAACP,AkronChapter
Founder,President,UnitedBaptistChurchScholarshipMinistry Member,UnitedBaptistChurch,WomenofWholeness
Towanda Lynn Mullins
A Human who unequivocally believes in developing positive outcomes, Towanda is the epitome of creating grassroots organizations with engagement that leads to advocacy, leadership opportunities, and impact She focuses on driving education, economic development, and cultural collaborations to empower individuals to actively participate in shaping their own communities
Towanda is responsible for establishing best practice principles in global compliance at Signet Jewelers She oversees communication and remediation of compliance issues across multiple countries A US Army veteran who believes this is the best community one can belong to, she sows seeds deep by assisting fellow veterans experiencing homeless She established and co-chaired the Veterans Business Resource Group at Signet She initiated the annual July curbside donation drive for our area homeless veterans, now recognized as the largest essential donation drive in the community She serves on the Signet Love Inspires (SLI) Foundation grant review Board to create a more equitable and sustainable world for underserved women and children She believed in the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza and led a talented committee from 2019-2024 to make it a reality by raising one million dollars in 5 years The Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza unveiling was held on May 29, 2024, as the Truth is Powerful and Prevails This partnership with the Summit and Medina County United Way has positioned Akron, Ohio to have the largest public art display of a Black woman in the United States, more so, exactly where Sojourner Truth delivered the famous speech known as “AINT I A WOMAN”? Although, those were not her exact words, this speech electrified the Suffrage movement Towanda secured the 1st Sojourner Truth Legacy scholarship in collaboration with the Akron Press Club and the Sojourner Truth Education Committee The inaugural scholarship recipient, Demetrion Duvall Top 10 scholar, awarded $5,000 April 2024 and this scholar has begun his studies at Hampton University.
Towanda believes in mentoring the next generation of students at the University of Akron, her alma mater, serving as President of the Black Leadership Alumni Council. Her focus while serving are BLAC Scholarships for scholars at U of Akron and to construct a Divine 9 Plaza that will grant a safe space and place of empowerment to the NPHC scholars matriculating at U of A. Both will leave a legacy of service for students for a lifetime.
Towanda founded the United Baptist Scholarship at her place of worship 13 years ago and has been awarding community youth scholarships annually ranging from $500-$2,000 dollars. In 2024 there were “7” scholastic awards distributed.
She serves on the Summit County Historical Society Board along with peers who want to preserve history and educate regional communities about the people and events that have shaped our rich history.
Towanda’s affiliations within the community are deep rooted and she ensures that she has a seat at tables that make rich impacts in the lives of others
Recipient of the Charles Gladman Jr. Commemorative Award
To our Sponsors & Vendors
Proceeds and Donations for the Black Firefighters Ball are typically used to support various initiatives such as funding scholarships for students and recruits, providing training and resources for firefighters, leadership training and advancement, supporting community outreach programs, and promoting diversity and inclusion within the firefighting community. These funds help enhance the capabilities of firefighters and contribute to the overall safety and well-being of the communities they serve. Proceeds were also allocated for this event.
Thank you
Wayne Stevenson
330.715.7026
A mobile cigar lounge that provides the atmosphere of a cigar lodge. We provide you with a variety of premium cigars from the beginner smoker to the aficionado directly to your special event. We cater multiple events, such as weddings, birthdays, graduation, retirement parties, etc.
Cigarmoments2024@gmail com
L.e.r.o.c. Clothing is a clothing brand based in Akron, Ohio. L.e.r.o.c. is an acronym that stands for Love Everybody Regardless of Color. Our mission is to spread love, faith, and unity through fashion. Shop at lerocclothing.net
Andre Jackson
330.338.2134 Lerocclothing.net
Darrell Woodland globalmogulllc@gmail.com
Luxury brand alcohol and spirits. This is a black owned product, primarily distributed throughout Ohio. We are powered by Cosmopolitan Divas and TDB spirits.
Thank you from UBFFA
Good evening, everyone,
Thank you all for being here tonight as we celebrate a significant milestone—the 50th Anniversary of the United Black Firefighters of Akron. Your presence here makes this evening all the more special as we honor a half-century of courage, dedication, and community.
It’s been nearly ten years since we last gathered in this way, and we are incredibly honored to bring this event back, recognizing the rich legacy and impact of our organization. This anniversary not only celebrates the past but also the resilience and dedication of those who paved the way for us, as well as the future leaders and heroes who will carry this legacy forward.
To our distinguished guests, sponsors, families, and friends—thank you for your unwavering support and for joining us to celebrate this historic moment. Here’s to the next 50 years of service, strength, and unity!
Thank you.
Check out our website for upcoming and future events. Also catch up on the latest with our members and their activity within the community.
