The Columbus and Dayton African American_September 2020 Edition

Columbus & Dayton

September 2020

FREE

5

Black Life Matters: Vote For Your Life

6

Make A Plan To Vote

By Charleta B. Tavares

By Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens

28

A Tribute to Cheryl Boyce

SENATOR KAMALA HARRIS

NOMINEE FOR U.S. VICE-PRESIDENT

PUBLISHER’S PAGE Founder & Publisher Ray Miller

Layout & Design Ray Miller, III

Assistant Editor Ray Miller, III

Dayton Editor Benette Decoux Distribution Manager Ronald Burke Student Interns Jada Respress Olivia Deslandes

Lead Photographer Steve Harrison

Contributing Editors Tim Ahrens, DMin Congresswoman Joyce Beatty Lisa D. Benton, MD Commissioner Kevin Boyce Councilman Mitchell Brown Rodney Q. Blount, Jr., MA Honorable Hearcel Craig Honorable Erica Crawley Councilwoman Shayla Favors Honorable Terri Jamison Councilwoman Angie Jenkins Council President Shannon Hardin Rev. Derrick Holmes Cecil Jones, MBA Darren Lundy, MBA William McCoy, MPA Suzanne Parks Councilwoman Meredith Lawson Rowe Councilwoman Shanette Strickland Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan Fmr. Sen. Charleta B. Tavares Desiree Tims Councilwoman Priscilla Tyson

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

First, allow me the opportunity to sincerely thank all of our contributing writers for taking the time to provide their thoughts in writing on the topic: “Why We Must Vote.” Countless numbers of our readers have approached me over the years and shared that they have read every edition of our news journal from cover to cover. They admit to not reading the totality of each edition all in one sitting, but they want our team to know that they always read the entire edition--in their words, because each edition is so informative.

What a compliment to our team. Well, my thoughts today are if you liked the past editions, you’ll love this one.

Our approach was to ask a few major thought leaders and a larger number of elected officials to address this topic from their own vantage point and knowledge base. There is much to be gained from reading every article that was submitted. It would not be an overstatement to say that each of our contributors understands “The fierce urgency of now.” Time is short, and we have substantial work to do if we are to liberate ourselves from this actualized nightmare we have been experiencing for nearly the last four years.

The powerful words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. come to mind which were spoken so forcefully in his “Mountaintop” speech. Dr. King said, “If I had sneezed, I wouldn’t have been around in 1962, when Negroes in Albany, Georgia, decided to straighten their backs up.

And whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can’t ride your back unless it is bent.” It is time, brothers and sisters, for those whose posture has been devoid of strength and character to straighten their backs up. Our families, our communities, our nation, and our world cries out for your leadership.

When I think on this topic of “Why We Must Vote,” the visual of hundreds of thousands of South Africans, standing in lines for hours and days to cast their vote for Nelson Mandela on April 27, 1994, is implanted in my remembrance. What a joyous day it was when Mandela was elected by Parliament as the first President of a democratic South Africa on May 9, 1994. We must have the same kind of resolve in our State and throughout America to reestablish our Democracy and our independence. No true American who is able to cast a ballot in this upcoming election can afford to sit this one out. It was Hannibal, the great African General from Carthage who said, “I will either find a way or make one.” Even in the face of a pandemic like COVID-19, a narcissistic President, voter suppression tactics, and propaganda campaigns -- that must be our final determination--to either find a way or make one.

As our contributors have written so clearly, we vote for a reason. Casting one’s ballot for a candidate or an initiative carries with it a great deal of power. You, as a voter, have the ability to determine who will govern our nation, and who will make major policy and funding decisions on employment, education, health, housing, transportation, energy, the environment, law enforcement, criminal justice, and many other essential needs and services.

Now, is not the time to point fingers at who votes and who does not. Every segment of the American population could do a much better job of voting in every election. It has become the norm at the conclusion of every unsuccessful election to blame some population group for not maximizing their turnout. The truth is we all need to work harder and smarter.

When Democrats lose, however, it is the same stereotype - Black people didn’t come out to vote. But in the last three presidential elections, Black voter turnout was 59.6% in 2016, 66.6% in 2012, and 65.2% in 2008. The voter turnout for African Americans in each of these elections was higher than Latinos and Asians and higher than Whites in 2012.

We have to challenge the stereotypes and assumptions we make about each other and recognize that real barriers to voting continue to persist but are surmountable. If we really want to create racial equity in the political process so that all Americans can truly embrace American democracy, The Voting Rights Act will be fully restored and expanded, the Shelby v Holder decision will be revisited to prevent gerrymandering, millions of ex-offenders will have their voting rights restored, and election day will become a federal day of service to remove barriers related to employment.

Let us work together! The cost of not doing so is too painful to bear.

With Appreciation and Respect,

The Columbus & Dayton African American 503 S. High Street - Suite 102 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Office: 614.826.2254 editor@columbusafricanamerican.com

Ray Miller Founder & Publisher

www.CAANJ.com

3

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

In This Issue

7

Use Your Power, Vote!

8

Plan Ahead to Vote Safely

9

By: William McCoy, MPA

By: Lisa Benton, MD

Why We Must Vote

By: Rev. Derrick Holmes

5

Black Life Matters: Vote For Your Life

11

Protecting Our Community from COVID

6

Make A Plan To Vote

7

Use Your Power, Vote!

8

Plan Ahead To Vote Safely

15

Why We Must Vote: State Senator Hearcel Craig & State Representative Erica Crawley

9

Why We Must Vote: Rev. Derrick Holmes

10

Why We Must Vote: Kyle Strickland & Congresswoman Joyce Beatty

16

Why We Must Vote: Commissioner Kevin Boyce & Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan

17

Why We Must Vote: Judge Terri Jamison & Council President Shannon Hardin

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

4

18

Why We Must Vote: Councilmembers Priscilla Tyson & Mitchell Brown

20

COVER STORY

23

Message to Black Business Owners: Apply Now

24

Why We Must Vote: Councilmember Shayla Favor & School Board Member Michael Cole

25

Why We Must Vote: Reynoldsburg Council President Angie Jenkins & Councilmember Shanette Strickland

26

Why We Must Vote: Reynoldsburg Councilmember Meredith Lawson-Rowe

27

Book Bags & E-Readers

28

A Tribute to Cheryl A. Boyce

32

I’m Tired of This Sh*t!

33

Vote By Mail

34

Columbus City Attorney Joins Fight Against Trump’s Attempts to Reduce Census Efforts

35

Don’t Be Naive This November

36

Chadwick Boseman: Prominent Actor and Black Panther Superhero

38

Virtual 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.

WHY MUST WE VOTE? BLACK “LIFE” MATTERS: VOTE FOR YOUR LIFE We have talked about and demonstrated on behalf of the Black Lives Matter Movement; still it takes a plan and actions to make a difference. Talk is not enough. We have too many who talk about what they are going to do and give eloquent speeches.

However, when you ask them about their plan, the specific policies, legislation and/ or regulations that they are going to sponsor and get adopted…silence.

By Charleta B. Tavares As we continue to rally and protest against racism and police brutality, we must be laser focused on the November 3 General Election. We must register, be educated and participate in this election as if our lives depended on it… because it does. We are now as of this date, sixty-three days away from the election and a vote for our life.

What is at stake?

Why are you saying this?

We can talk about this literally and figuratively and still come to the same conclusion – our Black “Life” and the lives of our people matter and cannot be thrown away. This election will clearly determine which way our democracy leans and/or falls.

The 2020 Election says more about who each of us is and what matters to us, individually and collectively as people of African descent.

Are we going to allow the victories of the past to be continued and strengthened or are we going to allow civil, human and voting rights to be eliminated?

• Civil Rights Act of 1866 – declared all male persons born in the United States to be citizens, “without distinction of race or color, or previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude” • 15th Amendment – ratified in 1870 granted African American men the right to vote • 19 Amendment – 1920 granted women the right to vote • Brown vs the Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas – 1954 landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that U.S. state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality • Civil Rights Act (1964) – outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and later sexual orientation - Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination against racial or ethnic groups by any federal financial recipient. It is enforced by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The regulation provides that “[n]o person or group of persons shall be discriminated against with regard to the routing, scheduling, or quality of service of transportation service furnished as a part of the project on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

• Voting Rights Act (1965) – outlawed literacy tests and provided for the appointment of Federal examiners (with the power to register qualified citizens to vote) in those jurisdictions that were “covered” according to a formula provided in the statute.

• Fair Housing (1968) - prohibits discrimination against individuals when renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities These are examples of a few of the Amendments to the Constitution, Acts/laws, Supreme Court decisions and regulations that are in jeopardy if African/Black and people of color do not vote and more importantly, vote as if their life matters. As I shared last month, “We are reminded that the consequences of slavery and its sinister corollaries of inequality and racism are prevalent still today. Whether we are talking about health or the social determinants of health (SDOH) which are the drivers of our health outcomes, the remnants of slavery and the separate, unequal, unfair and unjust treatment of African/Black people in America remains with us.” The SDOH include housing, education, unemployment, transportation, environment, racism etc.

We have more to gain and much more to lose if we are not responsibly voting. That means being registered (by October 5, 2020); educated on the candidates and issues to be decided; and participate by voting one of three ways: 1. Vote by mail, casting an absentee ballot 2. Vote early in-person at the Board of Elections

We will be electing individuals from the local county, state and federal levels who can address racism, reform of the criminal justice system, police brutality, provide policies and funding to improve our education system, address the housing crisis, strengthen and support the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), sustain Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security etc. These candidates will have an impact on every aspect of our African/Black lives.

This election is about voting for your life and the Black lives in our communities. African/ Black and communities of color have more to lose. Our voice and vote must be purposeful to ensure that equitable services, resources, and appropriate policies, funding, programs and systems are in place to address the disparities and inequities in African/Black life in Columbus, Dayton and America.

Vote for your life – Black life matters We each have a role and responsibility to use our voice through OUR VOTE, and advocacy with our pen/computer, phone and social media as action tools to eliminate racism and promote equality and justice in all domains of life for African/Black, people of color and underserved residents. We cannot afford to give anyone – from the office of the president to the candidate for local/county office a pass. We have to study each of their records, sponsor Candidate and Issue forums, ask tough questions and work to elect those who are standing up for our African/Black lives. Conversely, we must work to defeat those who are oppressing, hurting or discounting us. In addition, we must educate family, friends and colleagues on why it is important for them to vote on the candidates and issues…because our life depends on it.

3. Vote at your designated polling place on Former Sen. Charleta B. Tavares, Election Day D-Columbus, is the 1st Democrat and African American woman to serve in the If we believe in standing up, speaking up and Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio taking action on behalf of our families, our Senate from Franklin County. She is also the communities and ourselves, we cannot leave first African American woman to serve in it to others to discount or marginalize our leadership in the history of Ohio and the 1st voices by disenfranchising ourselves. We Democrat woman to serve in leadership in cannot give our power and voice to others to both the Ohio House of Representatives and decide what is best, right and equitable for the Ohio Senate (House Minority Whip and Senate Assistant Minority Leader). us.

5

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE - NOVEMBER 3RD OR SOONER

By Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens “But the noble make noble plans and by noble deeds they stand.” – Isaiah 32:8 Throughout scripture and in everyday life, we are inspired by people who have a plan.

They know what they doing. They know where they are going. They make a plan and then they execute that plan. The words of the Hebrew prophet Isaiah inspire me. Isaiah had a plan for righteousness and justice.

Let’s follow his lead. So, let’s get down to it.

Get a piece of paper and a pencil. Answer these questions as you formulate a plan.

What is your plan to vote November 3rd or sooner? How, where and when are you voting?

Have you registered? Have you double checked your registration to see if it is current or still exists? Do that today! Registration for the November 3rd election closes on October 5th.

Do you know who you are voting for: In your US Congressional District?

In the Ohio Senate?

In the Ohio House of Representatives?

In the County Commissioner positions?

If you are voting by Absentee Ballot - have In all the Judgeships? you mailed in your request for an absentee On your City Council? ballot (if you have already mailed in your Perhaps for the Mayor of your municipality? request for a ballot, be patient and know that they will be mailed out to you on October Do you also know what the ballot issues are 6th)? in Ohio and in your locality for November 2020? Where do you stand on these issues?

If you are voting early - Have you figured On a personal note - I find it really hard out where the early voting locations are and to vote for judges and the issues without when they are open? Do you need a ride? research on the candidates. Judges are never Set that up and take others who are registered designated by party in the general election. and have vote, too.

So, I have to do my research. The Ballot Issues are usually written out in complicated If you are voting November 3rd, find out legal language – sometimes reading over two where your November 2020 polling place pages of listings on the ballot in front of youis located? It most likely will be changing and I need to make my decision in advance. due to COVID-19. DO your research. Do Again, make a plan. your homework. Then, make a plan to stand in line for hours. Bring your up-to-date ID Once you have your plans in order, make with photo. Bring whatever is required for a plan for your family, friends, neighbors, confirming who you are and where you live. parents at school, co-workers, community Plan to have a mask, raingear, a warm jacket, organizations, civic clubs, sports teams, an umbrella, water, snacks and games and church, synagogue or mosque. How is chairs for your kids and you. If you don’t everyone you know setting forth their plan have time to stand in line November 3rd, for voting November 3rd or sooner. make sure you vote early (see above).

For the past two presidential elections, I have Who are you voting for? What Ballot gone door to door in West Franklinton to get issues do you support? Make sure you out the vote on election day. I have walked know this by November 3rd or sooner? for eight hours knocking on doors. In about Do know who is running for President? Have half of the households, I have found people you read the Platforms of the Democrats and with no awareness that it was election day.

Republicans? (Note: The Republicans have I always tell people I will drive them to the no new platform for 2020. By self-admission, polls. I will take them there myself. Some they are using Trump’s 2016 ideas and all are ready to go. Most aren’t sure. We need the ways in which he has led since then as everyone this year to be ready to go and to their future plan). be sure.

have two months. That is not a lot of time.

Make your plans now. Make them clear.

Make them plain. In the words of Isaiah, “make them noble and then, by noble deeds, make them stand.”

Finally, WHY are you voting November 3rd or sooner? I am voting to save our democracy. In the words of the lateCongressman John Lewis in his last words to our nation, published in the New York Times the day of his funeral: “Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.”

This year I will vote to honor the memory of my father Dr. Herman C. Ahrens, Jr. and John Lewis – two of my heroes. This year I will vote to honor all our ancestors who laid down their lives to make it possible for me to vote. When I fill out my ballot, I will do it in their memory and their honor.

If you know what, when, where, how, for whom and why to vote, you are ready. Take your plan and execute it NOW. May God bless your noble plans and may they stand as noble deeds.

Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens is the Senior Minister of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in downtown Columbus. A church known for its witness to social justice since its birth as an abolitionist congregation in 1852. Rev. Ahrens is the fifth consecutive senior minister from Yale Divinity School Do you know who the candidates are and Do not assume that your friends or neighbors and is a lifelong member of the United what they stand for? know when Tuesday, November 3rd is. We Church of Christ.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

6

USE YOUR POWER, VOTE!

By William McCoy, MPA Do you remember the Ruby Slippers that Dorothy wore in the 1939 classic film, the Wizard of Oz? These magic, Ruby Slippers were placed on Dorothy’s feet by Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, to empower and protect her from the evil Wicked Witch of the West during her perilous journey home. The Good Witch warned Dorothy to “Keep tight inside of them, their magic must be very powerful, or she wouldn’t want them so bad. And remember, never let those Ruby Slippers off your feet for a second, or you will be at the mercy of the Wicked Witch of the West.”

Dorothy received the Ruby Slippers after her house landed on and killed the Wicked Witch of the East, upon her arrival in Oz. Similarly, Black Americans were granted the right to vote when the house of disenfranchisement fell on the opponents of Black voting rights.

The right to vote is Black America’s Ruby Slippers- i.e., power, protection, and privilege against evil politicians. To paraphrase Glinda, the Good Witch: The right to vote must be very powerful or those who oppose the interests of African-Americans would not want to keep them from using it so badly.

For hundreds of years, Black Americans fought, bled, and died for the right to vote.

African-Americans were initially denied, then delayed, access to and the ability to exercise this fundamental American right. Shall we take a brief walk down memory lane?

The U.S. Constitution did not grant AfricanAmericans the right to vote. In fact, it declared that each slave be counted as threefifths a person for the purpose of apportioning electoral representation to those that could vote. Reconstruction Era (Jim Crow) laws introduced a gauntlet of barriers to freed Black people wishing to vote- including poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, violence, and other measures. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed after decades of struggle, marked by “Bloody Sunday,” “Freedom Rides,” and other historic civil rights’ events.

Now, Black voters are being purged from voter registration lists by state and local election officials. The U.S. Post Office is dismantling its infrastructure (i.e., mail sorting machines, collection boxes, manpower and staffing, etc.) to slow and, in some cases, stop the mail and mail-in vote.

Some politicians are attempting to place law enforcement at polling places to intimidate and discourage Black voters from showing up. Black celebrities and fringe candidates are being enlisted to splinter the Black vote.

States, like Florida and Tennessee, are trying to disenfranchise felons and Black Lives Matter protesters. And, the list goes on.

You can tell a lot about a person or group’s priorities by how they spend their money.

Cross Screen Media’s Advertising Analytics projects $10 billion will be spent on 2,000 elections, during 2020. This includes an estimated $2.7 billion in spending on the Trump-Biden presidential election. If your vote does not count, why are politicians spending so much to get it?

The word for today is: Akrasia, which is defined as a “weakness of will; acting contrary to one’s sincerely held moral values or self-interest.” A lot of people are afflicted with “akrasia,” acting against their own selfinterest. Like the unemployed, who support elected officials who oppose the extension of $600 a week in supplemental unemployment insurance benefits. Or, the person without health insurance who is cheering for the elimination of the Affordable Care Act. Better yet, what about those who sit in silence as the Center for Disease Control is transformed into the Center for Disease Cover-up?

Black America finds itself in a perilous, contentious political environment. Political rhetoric is growing more inflammatory, public sentiment appears to be increasingly intolerant, and individuals the distinction between the friendly and friends is becoming clearer. The involvement, engagement, and acceptance of groups and individuals who harbor ill-will or hostility toward people of color is becoming normalized. Politically, this manifests itself in the form of policies and practices aimed at making it harder for African-Americans and other people of color to vote; and refusal or inability to say, “Black Lives Matter.”

In conclusion, these are perilous times.

The roof, the house, is on fire! Defend and exercise your right to vote. Your vote must powerful or those who oppose the interests of Black Americans would not want to dilute or take it away. The hands that picked cotton have picked presidents (like Barack Obama).

Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never been bitten by a Before we dismiss those afflicted with mosquito. (Jeannette Walls). Vote! akrasia as ignorant or ill-informed, let us reconsider the “Asch Experiment.” A social William McCoy is founder and principal psychologist, Solomon Asch, conducted a consultant of The McCoy Company- a series of experiments that demonstrated world-class, personal services consulting the power of conformity in groups- later firm specializing in strategic planning, known as the Asch paradigm. Almost two in economic development, and training that helps clients articulate and achieve their five (37%) participants knowingly gave the visions, solve problems, and capitalize on wrong answer to a question so they would their opportunities. Mr. McCoy has worked be associated with a peer group. That bears with national every level of government, repeating. Nearly 40% of people in this nonprofit and for-profit enterprise (including oft-replicated experiment knowingly gave the National Football League) and held two the wrong answer to a question in order to White House appointments. He holds BA conform to and align themselves with their and MPA degrees and is profiled in Who’s peers. This phenomenon is evident in today’s Who in the World and elsewhere. You can politics, as people who should and do know reach William McCoy at (614) 785-8497 or better cling to or passionately defend a via e-mail at wmccoy2@themccoycompany. cause, candidate, or narrative they know is com. You can visit his current website at www.wmccoy29.wixsite.com/mysite. misguided, flat-out false, or wrong.

7

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

PLAN AHEAD TO VOTE SAFELY surfaces around the voting tables and ballot boxes.

And of course, wash your hands when you get done with the whole process.

By Lisa Benton, MD, MPH

I checked that you could find the food service gloves in the aisle with the foil and kitchen storage and cooking bags from Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Home Depot, Lowe’s and other stores. Many stores have masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and other hygiene items out front, so you won’t waste time looking for them.

The mantle and the torch have passed to you from our ancestors in this generation to make sure your vote counts.

Most recently, in hearing about the life and death of John Lewis and Reverend Corey Tindell (C.T.) Vivian, we were reminded how much well-known people and everyday folk marched, sat-in at lunch counters and boycotted to get us seats at the table and our foot in the door.

LeBron and many other athletes have stepped up to lead the charge to make sports’ arenas safe places to vote and make sure we have one less excuse not to vote.

Vote! If not for yourself, then vote for everything else that was gained by passing the voting rights act. Remind yourself that no matter how smart you know and think you are, that you probably could not pass the Louisiana 1964 Literacy Test that any person of color needed to take when they were brave enough to come out on election day.

Dr. Benton at her polling location (2019)

heat and may be able to last longer in cooler fall weather.

Voting early and absentee makes it easier to turn off or turn down the radio and television when the political commercials and extra noise start airing endlessly. Doing your homework on the candidates and voting early in person will leave you real extra ‘me’ A couple of short YouTube video links to the mental and physical health time. test are included for you to watch here with a link to an image of the actual test to follow If you decide to vote in person, try to go early and at off peak hours. Wear your mask along: Louisiana 1964 Literacy Test with answer and goggles or even an eye guard if you have key (if you got 100%, you still couldn’t one. Keep the hand sanitizer ready. vote if you were Black): http://www. odonnellsclassroom.com/homework/PDF/ Review your voting slate of candidates and issues ahead of time and check off your Key%20for%20literacy%20test.pdf choices, so you’ll spend less time inside or in the voting booth or up close to the poll Harvard University students taking 1964 workers.

Literacy Test: https://youtu.be/L44aXpUTGE Have your identification (driver’s license, utility bill, etc.) selected before you arrive.

Business Insider video with lawyers taking Put it in a clear baggie so you don’t have to the test: https://youtu.be/HcnoV_S9258 worry about someone else touching it.

As you vote or campaign for office, take the initiative to stay healthy. Request an absentee ballot and vote early. Less contact with other people means less risk of exposure to coronavirus and other germs. Covid-19, the flu (influenza), and other viruses are indeed real and have not gone away with the summer

I also strongly recommend wearing gloves.

Watching international news on elections, I noticed that in European, African and Asian countries, people put on disposable food service vinyl, polyethylene or plastic gloves when they came up to vote. By wearing gloves, they didn’t have to touch any of the

Consider ordering supplies online now or for pickup so you don’t have to risk the extra contact or exposure with in-person shopping.

I recommend that the “Souls to the Polls” voter and other outreach programs prepare voting kits with gloves added. If you can’t find the food service gloves, you can even use rubber gloves for cleaning or the patient care gloves that the drugstores sell.

You should be grateful that you no longer need to jump through hoops, count jellybeans in jars or otherwise be threatened or humiliated when you go to vote. Let that history reassure you that your vote can make a difference.

Know that your vote is powerful based on the lengths others are going to discourage you from getting to the ballot box and keep your vote from being counted.

But to have your voice heard and make a difference you must show up.

In the time of coronavirus rest assured that showing up on paper or using advance planning and taking precautions to stay safe in person really matters. Remember, while many count on you to vote, many others are counting on you not to.

Learn A Little More About Voting in Ohio League of Women Voters of Ohio: (from this link or the national organization link, I recommend locating your local chapter for more precise information) https://www.lwvohio.org/ and https://www. lwv.org/ Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH (The Doctor is In) breastsurgeonlb@gmail.com, Twitter:@ DctrLisa (415) 746-0627

To Advertise in The Columbus - Dayton African American contact us at: editor@columbusafricanamerican.com Ray Miller, 503 S. High StreetPublisher - Suite 102 750 East Long Street, Suite Columbus, OH 43215 3000 614-571-9340 Columbus, Ohio 43203

The Columbus African & Dayton American African American News Journal • September • February 2020 2015

8

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Rev. Derrick Holmes When it comes to oppression, there are many different variables that contribute to it being effective. In order for oppressive structures to be effective, there must be an agenda that advantages the biases held by one group while, simultaneously, demonizing the group being oppressed. In order for oppression to do the most damage possible, there must be who benefit from the oppression being maintained and have too much to lose to stand against it. Oppression in a land is maintained when the propaganda of a province reinforces stereotypes already held by its citizens. Oppression remains intact when persons positioned in places of power and influence are allowed to operate unchecked. With regard to the prolonged predicament our people face in this country, oppression ought not to be regarded as some mythical monster; ever looming and incomprehensible. Rather, it ought to be seen for what it is: a result of systems operating in concert to benefit a few at the expense of many.

One of the most important things that are absolutely essential for oppression to remain intact is that persons who hold the power to change their circumstance refuse to do so.

When members of a constitutional republic do not exercise their right to vote, their inactivity perpetuates the putridity of our predicament.

Our people find ourselves in the most dire and downtrodden of moments. A moment where the repeated miscarriages of justice, misrepresentations of our character and mediocritizing of our agency have taken a great toll upon us. Combine that with having to adjust to living through an unprecedented global pandemic and it makes sense for the collective feelings in our community to be both hopelessness and powerlessness. Our oppressors would have us give in to those feelings. Those whose advantages are connected to our adversity want nothing more than for Black people in this country to continue to believe that we are incapable and impuissant.

The detractors of the democratic process often deploy this despondence in their rhetoric. Every cry of “my vote doesn’t matter”, “they gonna do whatever they want to anyway” and “what’s the point?” ought be seen as more proclamations of the frustrated than political critique.

But despite how far liberation may appear to be from us, no matter what may be positioned to incumber and impede our progress, now is not the time for us to be still and silent.

Now is the time where we must lean into the work of liberation and do what is required to make progress for our people. We must not

give in to the effects of what is happening Nehemiah’s interest is not the same as the to us, rather, we must resolve to collectively king he works for or the system he has to live ‘happen’ to our circumstance. under. Nehemiah has no interest in political procedure. But, Nehemiah has enough sense We find ourselves in the most bleak of social to use what he has at his disposal in order backdrop. I am certain that I can safely to achieve what is in the best interest of his suggest without any fear of contradiction that people. The walls that Nehemiah works to this is the most complicated election season build up then are the walls that Jesus would in the history of American politics. Issues teach in, as a child, later. As in the text, the of race, gender, class and politic are all at walls of change we erect today will benefit incendiary highs. Casting a vote has never our children in the days to come. The Bible been more discouraging or difficult that what illustrates it to us, our ancestors demonstrated it is right now. And, lest we forget, we are in the midst of a global pandemic. The easy it for us and now this moment requires it of thing to do would be to stay home and wait us. on the world to change itself.

So, why must WE vote? Because our lack The context, conditions & candidates are of engagement will endanger our brothers certainly not perfect. But, quite frankly, and sisters for years to come. Why must WE when have they ever been? The freedoms vote? Because, through our participation we presently function in were not born (or lack thereof), we have determined the out of comfort and convenience. Rather, outcome of the past 5 presidential elections. history teaches us that the highest of African Why must WE vote? Because any changes American achievements were attained in that will made, will be because of changes seasons of struggle and strife. Our recent we make and, in a democracy, if an elected rewards were earned by those who came official doesn’t work for us, then they don’t before us; those who were willing to make get to work for us. Why must WE vote? sacrifices believing that their sacrifices would Because we need people in place to advance lead to successes in the future. We eat the agendas that address the real needs in our fruits of democracy today because there were community. Why must WE vote? Because those who risked life and limb to plant those oppressive structures are only crushed when seeds yesterday. And their attitude then must there is pressure from both the outside and be the one we must be courageous enough to the inside. Why must WE vote? Because adopt now. A commitment to accompany our James Baldwin is right when he says that activating in the streets with our participation “Not everything that is faced can be changed, in the polls. but nothing can be changed until it is faced”.

Why must WE vote? Because the lack of The Bible teaches of the Jewish leader, Nehemiah, who despite his comfortable accountability for black blood shed in our position within the Persian empire saw his city streets requires it. In order to continue homeland so ravaged and ruined that he felt our movement toward liberation, our vote, compelled to do what he could to repair his our voices, must be heard. community. He asks the king for leave from his position in the palace to rebuild the region Reverend Derrick K. Holmes is the pastor of that has been so damaged by the government. Second Baptist Church of Circleville, Ohio.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

9

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Kyle Strickland, J.D. As we enter into the 2020 presidential election in the midst of a global health and economic crisis and a national reckoning for racial justice, how we respond in this election will forever shape our lives and the lives of generations to come.

This is no time to sit on the sidelines. This year, it’s more important than ever that we use our power at the ballot box as a force for equity, inclusion, and justice.

It’s understandable to be cynical. There are still too many barriers that stand in the way of progress. And too often, many of our elected officials and institutions have left our communities behind. So not only must we vote, we must also continue to march for justice, hold our elected officials accountable, and demand a system that promotes true equality.

Unfortunately, there are some that want us to give up our power and stay home this election. Some even engage in voter suppression tactics that make it harder for us to vote, or they tell us that our vote doesn’t

By Congresswoman Joyce Beatty Joins Martin Luther King, III, Rev. Al Sharpton, Members of Congress, and numerous civil rights leaders to mark the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, addressed the nation—from the exact location Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream Speech” 57 years earlier—at the Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks. A transcript of Beatty’s remarks is below: “We are here today because people died and were denied civil and economic rights. We are here today because 57 years ago people marched for jobs and freedom.

We are here today because George Floyd had a knee on his neck—for 8 minutes and 46 seconds—and Black Lives Matter.

I am here representing the Congressional Black Caucus—54 members—who

matter and won’t make a difference. All of this is rooted in a history of voter suppression that can be traced all the way back to the founding of this country and the Jim Crow era.

deliver your ballot in-person to your county board of elections prior to Election Day. There will also be safe, in-person options to vote early or on Election Day. Whatever you do, make sure you have a plan. For more information, visit https://www.ohiosos.gov/ We cannot let them take away our power elections/ and our voice. If we are to choose between hope or cynicism, I still choose hope. It’s what guides my work and my commitment After you make a plan to vote, be sure to to justice. Voting alone won’t solve all of our get your friends and family to join you in problems – but it does give us the chance to voting. Talk to them about why we must make our voices heard and will determine the vote. Together, all of us can stand up for our direction of our country and our communities. democracy, speak truth to power, and fight This November, we have the chance to vote for a government that promotes justice and for elected officials to truly represent us at the equality for all. I hope you’ll join me in this local, state, and federal levels. historic election. Let’s vote.

The election is on November 3, 2020, but you can vote early. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and potential disruptions to the election process, it’s critical that you make a plan to vote as soon as possible. There are many ways you can vote safely, so don’t let anyone count you out this election. First, make sure you’re registered to vote. If you want to vote by mail, you can request an absentee ballot today. After you receive your ballot, you can vote early by mail or you can

Kyle Strickland is the Senior Legal Analyst at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity and the Director of My Brother’s Keeper Ohio. His work focuses on issues related to race and the criminal justice system, civic engagement, and education policy. Kyle, a native of Columbus, Ohio, earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and his bachelor’s from The Ohio State University.

understand that silence is not an option, Eric Garner and Breonna Taylor would still because Black people face a symbolic be alive today if that chokehold every time we walk, speak up, were the case. shop, jog, drive and, yes, breathe.

The CBC is also pushing to recognize Racism So, we must tear down the walls of injustice. as a ‘National Crisis.’ We’re fighting for I am here to say as MLK said, ‘(In America), jobs, housing relief, access to capital, and a a riot is the language of the unheard.’ reparations bill. Know it was CBC brothers who wrote the First Step Act, and a powerful And what is it that America has failed to brother who leads the John Lewis Voting hear?

Rights Act. Promises of freedom and justice for all.

Demand that the Senate pass the John Lewis Say their names. Ahmaud, Breonna, George, Voting Rights Act to restore justice, dignity, Jacob, and the list goes on. and equal access to the ballot box.

Black Lives Matter.

Thank you, Rev. Al and National Action So, let’s pass The George Floyd Justice in Network, for this march and demanding that Policing Act. we vote—and that society gets their knee off our necks.

No more immunity for officers who look into cell phone cameras as they kill our brothers I’m Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Vice and sisters.

Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and I approve this Let’s institute mandatory databases. Tamir message!”

Rice would have lived to see his 18th birthday if that were the case.

Joyce Beatty is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving the 3rd District of Let’s ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants. Ohio.

The Columbus African & Dayton African American • September 2020 American News Journal • February 2015

10

PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY FROM COVID-19

TESTING AND RESEARCH TO PROTECT AND INFORM AFRICAN/BLACK COMMUNITIES

By Charleta B. Tavares National Research Study PrimaryOne Health, Centene/ Buckeye Health and the National Minority Quality Forum (NMHQF) are undertaking a National Research Study on COVID-19 among African/Black, Latinx, and rural residents. The Minority and Rural Health Coronavirus Study (MRCS) is being initiated in five states with five Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). MRCS is a prospective longitudinal investigation of the risk factors associated with the disproportionate impact that coronavirus is having on racial, ethnic and rural communities.

The MRCS study will utilize a phased in approach to follow a cohort of 5000 racial and ethnic participants for 5 years to examine the impact of COVID-19 on them and their families. The initial recruitment consists of African American/Black study participants and will move towards gradual inclusion of Latinx, and rural populations geographically dispersed among 5 FQHC’s sites located in Louisiana, Michigan, Illinois, Nevada and Ohio. Each research site has been selected based on the high proportion of African American deaths compared to their composition in the state population.

Another novel approach to this Research Study is the participation of Morehouse College of Medicine and Howard University researchers, as well as those from Harvard and Tulane.

The plan is to contact COVID-19 positive individuals daily for the first 14 days followed by once per week for 1 month, once per month during the following 6 months and finally once a quarter until the study period is over. Participants will be asked contact questions specific to them and their family’s health, social determinants of health (SDOH) and exposure to Covid-19. Participants testing negative will not be followed for first 14 days but instead followed utilizing the same longitudinal post 14-day schedule as positives (called once per week for a month then once a month for the following six months then once a quarter until the study period is over. During each contact they will be asked questions about their and their family’s health, SDOH and exposure to Covid-19).

“I am proud to work with African/Black researchers, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the Minority Quality Forum to participate in this Research Study with Centene/Buckeye Health to help my people get answers about us by us. We are gaining from the brilliance of our researchers and trusted institutions,” stated Charleta B. Tavares, CEO PrimaryOne Health.

The COVID Research Study testing will resume in mid-September at two PrimaryOne Health locations, 3433 Agler Road and 2300

Volunteers at Mt. Vernon Ave A.M.E. Church helping with COVID testing.

W. Broad Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays facility). In addition, the organization has from 9:00am until 1:00pm. conducted testing at four of its locations (3433 Agler Road, 1500 E. 17th Ave., Community Partnerships and Testing to 2300 W. Broad and 1905 Parsons Ave.) on Save Lives Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 – 1:00pm.

PrimaryOne Health has tested over 11,000 people in the last 3-months for COVID-19. Upcoming Testing partnerships include: This has been done with the commitment and • September 12, 2020 tireless efforts of our Testing Project Team, Victorious Life Christian Center Practitioners, Medical Assistants, Patient 1875 Tamarack Circle N Support Specialists, Patient Navigation, Columbus OH 43229 Administrative and Technology staff. The 9am – 1:00pm team has focused on providing COVID-19 • September 26, 2020 Testing for all PrimaryOne Health and Church of Christ residents of Central Ohio regardless 1200 Brentnell Ave. of whether they are symptomatic or Columbus OH 43219 asymptomatic (with or without symptoms) (Church Congregation only) of the virus without out of pocket costs to 9am – 11:30am the patient/resident.

• October 10, 2020 Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church COVID-19 Testing is being conducted 3161 E. 5th Avenue in Franklin County with other Federally Columbus, OH 43219 Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and (Time TBD) Look-Alikes, Columbus Public Health, • October 24, 2020 Franklin County Public Health and the Second Baptist Church four hospital systems. In addition, the Circleville organization has partnered with community- (Carnival Food Lot/ Time TBD) based and faith-based organizations, suburban municipalities, and county public For additional information or to pre-register entities and officials. for testing, call 614.859.1895. PrimaryOne Health will continue to collaborate and PrimaryOne Health (P1H) conducted a pop- provide testing for the health center’s patients up testing event in July in Circleville with and community residents in the weeks to the Pickaway County Commissioners, City come along with child/youth immunizations of Circleville, Pickaway County Health, and Flu vaccines for adults and children.

Senator Bob Peterson’s Office, Governor’s office, LabCorp, and the Ohio National We are all in this – together. We are One! Guard. The Team successfully provided 408 tests. In August, Pastor and First Lady Charleta B. Tavares is the Chief Executive Reid and the Mt. Vernon Avenue AME Officer at PrimaryOne Health, the oldest and Church members/volunteers, Columbus City largest Federally Qualified Health Center Schools, CPH, Columbus Fire Department (FQHC) system in Central Ohio providing RREACT, and the amazing P1H Team comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, provided tests to approximately 150 church pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health members and community residents. and specialty care to more than 48,000 patients at 12 locations in Central Ohio.

P1H’s other collaborations as of the end of The mission is to provide access to services August include the City of Reynoldsburg, that improve the health status of families City of Dublin, Ohio National Guard, including people experiencing financial, Centene/Buckeye Health (see article above) social, or cultural barriers to health care. and Corban Commons (senior apartment www.primaryonehealth.org.

11

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

Mobility Engineer

MARLA P.

Franklin County Engineer Cornell Robertson is seeking a Mobility Engineer to manage the Mobility Department. Responsibilities include supervision of signing, signal, and route marking operations, plan review for proper traffic control, oversight of traffic and engineering studies, and departmental budget development and administration. Requires a Professional Engineering license. Successful candidates will bring a positive attitude and demonstrated experience. Interested applicants should submit a resume and application (available at www.franklincountyengineer.org) to the following address no later than Friday, September 11, 2020.

AUGUST ‘62 – JUNE ‘ 94

Franklin County Engineer Human Resources Department 970 Dublin Road Columbus, Ohio 43215 EOE Life didn’t end for Marla. It got better. At ADAMH – and the 30+ not-for-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

MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT SERVICES WHY USE CND?

RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE.

With outpatient treatment, you can

YOU CAN DO THIS.

begin a healthy life in recovery. CND

WE CAN HELP.

treats anyone, regardless of ability

CALL TODAY!

to pay, and we offer same or next

day appointments.

SOME SERVICES INCLUDE:

COMMUNITY FOR NEW DIRECTION

SPMI/Severe Mental Illness Treatment Intensive Outpatient Program

Non-Intensive Outpatient Program

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Mental Health Counseling

Mental Health Medication Management

614-252-4941

1000 Atcheson St.

Columbus, OH 43203 CNDCOLUMBUS.ORG

614-252-4941

Alcohol & Drug Addiction Counseling

Individual, Group and Family Counseling Gender-Specific Groups

Primarily funded by:

Crisis Intervention

Anger Management Recovery Housing

The Columbus African & Dayton American African American News Journal • September • February 2020 2015

12

CUBA

don't miss a rare exploration of the fascinating nature, captivating culture and remarkable history of one of the world's most unique islands.

comes to

COLUMBUS.

New Exhibition opEn

March 21 - sEptember 7, 2020 !..

333 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215 | cosi.org

13

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

“Your child’s care is too important to be put on hold by COVID-19.”

– Akua A. Amponsah, MD, Linden Primary Care Center

Everyone receives a medical mask. And a new approach to scheduling patient visits puts distance between you and other families. Together, we’re taking these steps for one important reason – to make sure COVID-19 doesn’t keep your child from getting the care they need.

Long before COVID-19, the safety of your child was already our top priority. But today, safety deserves even greater focus. Which is why patient safety is at the center of every decision. We want you and your family to feel safe while you’re here.

So there are fewer people in our waiting rooms.

If you have questions or concerns, please call your child’s doctor.

If you need a doctor for your child, call (614) 722-KIDS.

Continued on Page 15

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

14

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Honorable Hearcel Craig Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “So long as I do not firmly and irrevocably possess the right to vote I do not possess myself. I cannot make up my mind — it is made up for me. I cannot live as a democratic citizen, observing the laws I have helped to enact — I can only submit to the edict of others.”

While it may be cliché, this November, we are truly faced with the most important election of our lifetime. In this unprecedented time, we will cast our votes while dealing with Covid-19, increased awareness of systemic racism, uncertain economic times and unease throughout our nation and the world. Our right to vote is more than just a right. It is an obligation.

This election will have long-term implications for our future. This November, we face a stark choice: a choice between fear and hope, injustice and equality, discrimination and opportunity and between division and

By Honorable Erica Crawley I realize that for some people, saying you should vote because people shed blood and died for your right does not motivate them enough to engage in electoral politics. Many have voted in the past and yet they do not see the progress that was promised. If you are that person, I get it.

However, if you are currently stuck at home because of the Coronavirus, if you lost your job, or on the verge of losing your home, if you have school-aged children and you feel uncertain around sending them to school or keeping them at home, or if you have been in the street demanding for Black lives to matter just as much as every other life, then I hope that you see that it did not have to be this way. We have leaders who continue to fail us.

We can change that. I am not saying that our vote will change circumstances overnight.

We need policy changes too. Our vote is necessary, it is not sufficient, but it is where we start.

unity. We have an obligation –– not only to member of Congress is to give us the right to ourselves, but also to our children and our vote.” Now, 60 years later, we have that right to vote. It is up to all of us to use that most children’s children –– to vote for change. important franchise. The price of inaction is Racism continues to impede progress toward high because of those who seek to roll back our goal of a more perfect union. We see it civil rights gains and promote public policies in the continued egregious police misconduct that obstruct, restrict and eliminate voting perpetrated against African Americans. The opportunities. names Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and now Jacob Blake are on our minds The late Congressman John Lewis said, and serve as a profound reminder of deeply “Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is most powerful nonviolent tool we have rooted structural racism. The discriminatory the to create a more perfect union.” Too many violence suffered by these individuals and have fought, bled and even died for that most countless others have served as a clarion call precious of all democratic rights. We have that Black Lives Matter and as a catalyst for an obligation, not only to Dr. Martin Luther the protests throughout our nation. We cannot King Jr. and Congressman Lewis and those allow this moment to pass. By voting, we can like Fannie Lou Hamer and Ella Josephine send a message: Enough is enough! In the Baker who fought alongside them, but also words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “I’m sick and to those who follow us, to vote like our lives tired of being sick and tired.” depend on it –– because they do.

More than 60 years ago, when speaking of the right to vote, Dr. King said, “The denial of this sacred right is a tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition. And so, our most urgent request to the president of the United States and every

Inaction is not an option. OUR VOTE IS OUR VOICE!

Since I came into the Ohio legislature, I have seen first-hand how the majority continues to try and disenfranchise voters and I see what is happening the federal level. Most recently, I voted against House Bill 680. House Bill 680 is a voting rights bill that would prohibit the secretary of state from paying postage and shortens the deadline, for all elections, to apply to receive absentee ballots by mail. At the federal level, we see Donald Trump and Postmaster General DeJoy screwing with the United States Postal Service to slow down mail service. This is a service enumerated in the United States Constitution. Why would Trump, DeJoy and the majority party in Ohio want to make it difficult for us to vote?

I will answer that by simply quoting Fredrick Douglass, “[p]ower concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will.” I do not say this to be fear mongering, I just want to remind you of the power your vote holds.

important, if not more. This election, all ninety-nine House seats in the Ohio House of Representatives are on the ballot as well as a few Ohio Senate seats. As much as the country has continued to have the racial divide widen and families continue to struggle to keep a roof over their head, we see no help coming from the federal government.

Where the federal government has failed to step up, state legislatures have the power and capacity to mitigate the hardships. The majority in charge of the Ohio statehouse have had the opportunity to pass meaningful legislation that would help Ohioans on the brink of eviction, assist school districts navigate additional issues brought on by the virus, policing and declare racism as a public health crisis, yet they do nothing. Our country and Ohio deserve better than do-nothing politicians. Let’s demand better by voting.

Hearcel Craig is a member of the Ohio Senate, representing the 15th District, Columbus

Erica Crawley is a member of the Ohio The presidential election is important, House of Representatives serving the 26th however, statehouse races are just as district in Columbus.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

15

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Commissioner Kevin Boyce 2020 has proven to be a year of great challenge and yet a year of great awakening. I am proud of the unified spirit to combat injustices that have spread locally, nationally and globally. Joined together by a common goal of social, gender, criminal justice equity, this movement has brought together multigenerational and multicultural masses. As we continue our work, we cannot ignore a paramount action of oppression that has plagued our community for generations. Exercising and protecting our right to vote.

I can honestly say I wasn’t interested in politics until I entered college. Like today’s headlines, there was a lot of unrest and injustices that angered and frustrated me. As a Freshman at University of Toledo, I was fortunate to have an influential professor that challenged my thinking and empowered me to realize that my single voice and vote matters and can make a difference.

By Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan I must vote. I must vote because the Strange Fruit may no longer hang from the poplar tree, it has now taken on a two-dimensional inscription. Leaving its bright yellow mark on the sidewalks in the outline of a body where my brother’s and sister’s take their last fatal breath at the hand of injustice. I must vote because Plymouth Rock still sits heavily upon my back, shoulder’s and head blocking the rays of a native sun that I have never known; hoodwinked, bamboozled, left to wither and die. I must vote because a torch was passed to me and my generation and we dare not go down in history as the generation that lost the fight due to complacency and privileged disposition. I must vote because nowhere have I read or heard that the battle is over. Nowhere have I read or heard that there is an expiration date releasing me from

VOTING is how we engage, challenge and call on our elected officials to demonstrate and uphold our values and convictions.

VOTING is how we address the frustration and exhaustion of the social injustices we see play out in the media everyday. VOTING is how YOU can do your part in building a pathway for the next generation to succeed.

VOTING means that every year, you have a chance to strengthen our democracy. There is much at stake on each level of government, voting gives the people the power to prevail.

Election Day, the Franklin County Board of Elections is hiring for poll workers; please call for information at 614-525-3100.

Please do not let Election Day, November 3rd pass without having assurance that you have exercised your fundamental right and responsibility to vote. A responsibility for your loved ones, present and past; yourself and the future you deserve. Early voting and mail in voting begins October 6th. Join me, between now and the mail in vote postmark deadline of November 2 nd to check your You may ask yourself, how can we vote registration, and the registration of our loved safely amid a global pandemic? I strongly ones. The deadline to request an absentee encourage you to vote early and by mail. The ballot is October 31st.

Franklin County Board of Elections, 614525-3100 offers resources to access absentee Friends this is a call to action, VOTE! ballots, issues on your ballot and a compiled Black Lives Matter. Black Votes Matter. list of candidates.

Kevin Boyce is a former member of the Ohio I offer a parting challenge, call 5 friends and House of Representatives. In 2016 he became family members to ensure they’re registered the first African American elected to the to vote and have current information on Franklin County Commissioner’s Office. record; the registration deadline of October 5th is fast approaching. Volunteer to work

that controls the quality of our day to day lives who then have, we left that power to?

Is there someone that we believe is “working this all out behind the scenes” on our behalf that has our best and actual interest at heart?

Have we really become so self-satisfied and self-righteous that we believe a designer label on our clothes, the vehicle we drive, the zip code we live in, has provided us the elevation and freedoms that were previously fought and died for? And yet, what of those of us in our communities that have yet to have found the resource or opportunity to Maybe my heart errs too philosophical or begin the journey and battle? The promise is esoteric to be of relevance to a multitude, yet to be fulfilled. maybe practicality and bottom line are more germane and pragmatic to solving the riddle We must vote to relieve ourselves of the set before me; why must we vote. burden of transgression looming above and around us even as we fought and died for We must vote because most every aspect of every inch and ounce that we have captured our lives are regulated by a person serving in thus far, we must continue the fight until an elected position. Everything that humanly victory and justice are finally ours. effects our lives is based on a decision someone voted into an office made. If we do Cheryl Brooks Sullivan serves as the Franklin not take an active role in the selection process County Treasurer. my obligation to myself, my family, or my community to fight for more. I must vote because every morning that I awaken to the blessing of another day I go about the tasks necessary to create a legacy for my children, grandchildren, and community. Why would any of this matter if I did not also go about the tasks necessary to establish a more just and stable world for them to enjoy this in? I am by no means unique so, if I must vote it stands to reason that we must vote.

The Columbus African & Dayton African American • September 2020 American News Journal • February 2015

16

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Honorable Terri B. Jamison I know you have heard it rehearsed more times than you would like to count, you should vote because of the men and women who marched and died for your right to vote. Although that is true and historically can be proven, you should vote because you have no voice if you do not vote. Each U. S. Citizen can register and vote in the State of Ohio even if you have been convicted of a felony. If you are incarcerated awaiting trial, you have the right to vote.

Absentee ballots may be requested and the Board of Elections has to allow you to have your absentee ballot.

Not voting is giving up your choice. You have the opportunity through your vote to choose who you want to represent you. If you do not make a choice, someone else is making the choice for you. Elections are

By Council President Shannon G. Hardin Seven shots from behind. Folks suffocating from the knee of injustice and abuse of power. This isn’t Bloody Sunday.

Black people are fighting two viruses at once -- racism and COVID-19. This is America.

This November, racial justice, equity, and our democracy are on the ballot. Our freedom and our basic human rights cannot wait any longer. We cannot wait for someone to lead.

If we want to fix America and Columbus, then we’ve got to do it ourselves. We must demand change. We must vote.

Not only in Columbus, but throughout the country, Black people are living in a tale of two cities. The Haves and the Have Nots.

While some are doing well, others are still reaching for a piece of the American Dream from the Sunken Place. We are marginalized and screaming in a system that was not built for us to be heard. Our problems today

decided by those who go out and vote. It is an opportunity to support your candidate, give them the opportunity to take office, and give them the opportunity to implement change that is important to you.

The younger generation has been described as apathetic. If you do not vote your own interests, who will represent your interests? Apathy gets you the government you presently have. As we look back at the election of 2016, turnout increased to 65.3 percent for non-Hispanic whites, but decreased to 59.6 percent for non-Hispanic blacks. And you don’t think your vote matters?

according to U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What’s on the ballot this year? Healthcare, criminal justice reform, redistricting of Congressional Districts, allocation of assets for education and redistribution of wealth.

State Representatives and judicial seats are on the ballot this year. Apathy and indifference will give you four more years of policies written by elected officials who do not share your values or have your best interest at heart.

Are you going to sit this one out and complain for the next four years? Or are you going to register your friends and loved ones, members of your community, and relate to them why you are voting? This is the year that you must Vote Your Choice! Your life and the lives of your children and grandchildren depend on it!

Although African-Americans are 12.0% of the population, African-Americans are 23% of the fatalities from COVID-19; we account for 30% of the prison population according Terri B. Jamison is a Judge with the Franklin to Pew Research; and unemployment among Court of Common Pleas - Division of African-Americans has increased to 16.8% Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch.

are not new. Whether structural racism or It’s time for good trouble. We must wake up voter suppression, today’s problems are an and remember those that died for us to have the right to vote. We must stand for Jacob evolution of those of yesterday.

Blake, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Fifty-five years ago, Congressman John countless others by voting and holding our Lewis was beaten as he fought to address the leaders accountable. This is how we show most basic of our problems, the right to vote. that Black Lives Matter. This is how things Though we made progress, we cannot be so change. And this is how we show our power. comfortable within the system that we remain in a state of paralysis, unable to freely move. We have America’s attention. We now must We cannot afford to remain stagnant and we vote because progressive change comes on must look America directly into its soul to the grassroots level. However, the work confront the sins of slavery and vote like our does not end at the ballot box, it begins. We must then demand policy change that fits our lives depend on it. interest.

When we don’t vote we can guarantee that we will not make any progress. That was We have much more work to do. We deserve clearly demonstrated in 2016 when 40 better. It is our responsibility to remember percent of Black people decided not to vote. those that died for our right to vote. We must What do we have to lose? We have our jobs, stand hand in hand with our loved ones of our businesses, our family members, and our yesterday by registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot and voting early, and progress to lose if we do not vote. That’s why signing up to be a poll worker at Vote. there has been a concerted effort to suppress franklincountyohio.gov. our vote with the drastic changes to the United States Postal Services and changes to Shannon G. Hardin is the President of polling locations across the nation.

Columbus City Council.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

17

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Councilwoman Priscilla Tyson Many of us understand we need to vote because our lives depend on it. The people elected each November create policies that directly impact our day to day lives.

However, at this critical time in our nation’s history, the dialogue around the question of “why vote or why is voting important” must not only include education but we must also utilize talents, opportunities, and resources to identify how we can connect with segments of the Black community which may not vote. This strategic approach will allow us to use our spheres of influence to make change. Specifically, for the 2020 election we understand the power of Black women to leverage the Black vote for the good of our community.

While the question of voting should not be a discussion point in 2020, the last four years have perpetuated the complicated history of Black people in obtaining the right to vote. August 26, 2020, marked the 100 year anniversary of the 19th amendment, which

By Councilman Mitchell J. Brown As I was driving through downtown Columbus earlier this summer, Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic, “What’s Going On,” played on the radio. As someone who vividly remembers the unrest of the 1960s and 70s, hearing this classic song stirred memories of a time in history analogous to the one we live through today. For those reading this who aren’t familiar with “What’s Going On” let me explain its relevancy to today’s events.

As a young man in the early 1970s, I can remember feeling a shift in the political climate around me. “What’s Going On,” acted as an anthem for many of the anti-war and racial justice protests of the time. “Mother, mother there’s too many of you crying.

Brother, brother, brother there’s far too many of you dying…We’ve got to find a way to bring some loving here today.” These lyrics depicted the mounting frustration and pain felt by citizens across the United States. The song’s popularity at the time amplified social

gave women the right to vote. While passage of the amendment was a victory for white women, Black women and men still faced barriers such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and even death if they persisted in their efforts to vote. Black women, a group that was notably left out of the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s suffrage event, not only had to endure racism but also faced sexism.

Over the decades, Black women have masterfully turned the tide of voting and civic engagement into areas in which they are excelling. They represent one of the largest and most important voting demographics in America. Black women are also effective at getting the Black community to the polls.

The 2012 election would not have favored President Obama without the vote of Black women. In 2018, the strength, influence and organizational abilities of Black women were realized in Alabama.

vote. It must be recognized that Black women are uniquely positioned in leadership roles in the community and in many professions, as well as they traditionally hold a strong position in their family dynamics, which enables them to influence their households and ultimately the Black community. Further, the progressive leaning ideologies of Black women may resonate with a broad audience, including the working poor and middle class.

It would be strategic to support the efforts of Black women as they have demonstrated their ability to “get out the vote.” Moreover, as we continue to see the devaluing of Black lives with Black people being forcefully killed; it has to be remembered that behind each HUMAN life that has been viciously murdered there are MOTHERS, Sisters, and Aunts who are suffering and ready to stand strong in the face of hate. These Black women and others who support them are motivated, intelligent and have the political There are many advocates that pound the savvy to organize in order to ensure Black pavement “to get out the vote” and everyone’s voices are heard in this election. role should be respected. Additionally, it is important that Black women and Black men Priscilla Tyson is a member of Columbus be united in compelling the community to City Council.

consciousness across mainstream America, as more people began to wonder, “What’s going on?” Similarly, the summer of 2020 is a tipping point where many Americans speak out about the injustices of overaggressive policing and call for increased representation in our governance, again asking, “What’s going on?”

of his campaign of 1971, Richard Nixon was re-elected for his second term as President in 1972. This time, we must not fail to translate our frustration and protest energy into votes.

Leadership matters, and this election is too important to not commit ourselves to getting out the vote.

More than ever, we must focus on using our collective voice at the ballot box to elect leaders that reflect our values and vision for the future. No matter how frustrated we are with the system and its recent outcomes, voting is the only way to impact that system and hold those in power accountable. The COVID-19 pandemic will make this one of the most complex elections of our lifetime.

Contrary to some of the messages we are hearing, every vote matters. We must register; if we haven’t already, vote early and inperson, if we can. If we can’t, we must mail in our ballots as soon as possible. We can no longer just hope; we must vote. “What’s While I observe parallels of the unrest of the going on?” early 1970s with that of today, I hope that one significant event doesn’t repeat itself. Mitchell J. Brown is a member of Columbus Despite the uprising and the false rhetoric City Council.

Young people, then and now, are increasing their engagement in their communities and our country. While my generation pushed for full acceptance of African Americans into American society and an end to the Vietnam War, this generation is highlighting the injustices present in our criminal justice system and facing a global pandemic that has impacted their health, education, and financial stability. I believe the young people of this generation face the same frustration with this country’s leadership and overwhelming concerns about the future.

The Columbus African & Dayton African American • September 2020 American News Journal • February 2015

18

A Grant up to $1,500 towards your Mortgage Closing Costs

Come face to face

with sea lions!

ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS: • Purchase of a primary residence • A signed purchase agreement must be presented to reserve funds • Must meet income eligibility requirements at or below 80% of the area median income1 • Property must be located in federally designated low or moderate income census tracts where State Bank lends2

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

State Bank CARE Grant funds are limited, so APPLY TODAY.

YourStateBank.com Program subject to change with or without notice. Other restrictions may apply. Please see lender for complete details. Subject to credit approval.

1 As updated annually by the FFIEC (Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council).

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

all new and

now open!

4080 W. Dublin-Granville Road Dublin, OH 43017 94 Granville Street Gahanna, OH 43230

Get up close with sea lions and seals, touch stingrays, explore Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village and more. Pre-purchase your timed ticket for admission at ColumbusZoo.org.

Zoo members can come anytime after 3:00pm.

2 Property must be located in a census tract within the following counties: Allen Ohio, Allen Indiana, Defiance, Delaware, Franklin, Hancock, Lucas, Madison, Union, Williams, and Wood. Actual amount applied at closing.

Get discount memberships at

COLUMBUSZOO.ORG

19

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

COVER STORY THE PEOPLE, FOR KAMALA HARRIS

By Suzanne Parks and William McCoy As the 2020 elections approach, why vote against Trump-Pence when you can vote for Kamala Harris and Joe Biden?

In this age of misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories, alternative facts, and malicious lying, it has become increasingly more difficult to differentiate between actualities, fabrications, personal truths, and half-truths. In this climate, the Information Age has produced masses with befuddled minds- the vast majority of whom do not know jack. So, prepare to meet Jill (aka Kamala Harris for The People).

While one party and candidate go low, the other says it goes high. Those going “low” began their assault on Kamala Harris before she officially accepted the Democratic Party nomination for vice-president and a spot on the Biden-Harris ticket. Harris has been depicted on social media as a caricature worse than any of the wicked Disney villainesses.

As the cyber-attack swiftly unfolded, some did not know what to believe and the gullible took the bait- spreading lies, misinformation, and fake screenshots and rumors. Within days, social media platforms were caught up in an infodemic crafted to assassinate Kamala Harris’ personal and political track records.

Senator Kamala Harris became the first Black woman to appear on a major political party ticket with her August 2020 nomination to run for vice-president with Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden. This came after an unsuccessful run for president, which she ended December 2019. Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing California, in 2016 after the retirement of former-Senator Barbara Boxer. Harris is the first Indian-American and second AfricanAmerican woman to be seated in the U.S. Senate.

In the Senate, Harris’ prosecutorial questioning style was on full display during the nominations of Bret Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court and William Barr for U.S. Attorney General. She also grilled thenAttorney General Jeff Sessions, during an inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. These confrontations showcased her ability confuse, confound, and conquer hostile witnesses.

Kamala Harris is recognized as an outstanding orator and debater. She has commanded the spotlight during televised Senate hearings and proceedings, as well as at the 2012 and 2020 Democratic National Conventions.

Kamala Harris had a contentious exchange with fellow candidate Joe Biden over his opposition to school busing in the 1970s

United States Senator, now Vice Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris.

and 1980s, which proved to be a must-see moment during a 2020 presidential primary debate.

Kamal Harris graduated from Howard University (B.A., 1986) with majors in political science and economics, then earned a law degree from Hastings College (1989).

She subsequently worked as a deputy district attorney (1990-1998) in Oakland (CA), earning a reputation for toughness as she prosecuted cases involviing gang violence, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse. Harris rose through the ranks, becoming district attorney in 2004. In 2010, she was narrowly elected attorney general of California by a winning margin of less than 1 percent- becoming the first female and the first African-American to hold that post.

In 2012, Kamala Harris won a $25 billion judgment against five major mortgage companies. She refused to defend Proposition 8 (2008), which banned same-sex marriage in California. Proposition 8 was overturned in 2013. Her book, Smart on Crime (2009, co-written with Joan O’C. Hamilton), was considered a model for dealing with the problem of criminal recidivism. Kamala Harris is married to Douglas Emhoff and has two step-children.

The attacks on Harris have been savage and relentless. The Republican opposition has

The & Dayton African American • September 2020 The Columbus Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

20

and will continue to attack her ethnicity, citizenship, personal life, the crimes of her ancestors, and how she is supposedly ranked within the Indian caste system. This is a short list. One particularly heinous meme, designed to look like a presidential campaign badge said, “Joe and the Hoe.” How low will they go? This mem was posted by free-lance NBA photographer Bill Baptist who subsequently lost his job, thus proving his willingness to risk and lose his livelihood and reputation in a failed attempt to dehumanize a woman of color.

Most of the allegations levied against Kamala Harris have been either debunked or placed in a more accurate context. Yet, low-thinkers refuse to accept the facts. For example, Harris did not incarcerate 10,000 man for marijuana possession when she was a county prosecutor and Attorney General for California. She did use her power to spare a Black man convicted of killing a police officer, over the loud and angry protests of the Fraternal Order of Police and others. Kamala Harris did not write the 1994 Crime Bill that contributed to the mass incarceration of far too many Black men and women. She did take an oath to uphold the law and swore to hold those who broke the Continued on Page 21

COVER STORY

Continued from Page 20

law accountable. Kamala Harris did these and many other things that benefitted Black people during her pre-Senate career.

The People for Kamala Harris. In the face of her critics, a group of 100 prominent, diverse Black men (including P Diddy, Reverend William Barbour, Michael Eric Dyson and Charlemagne da god) crafted a letter to VicePresident Biden urging him to pick a Black woman as his running mate. In the letter, they made a compelling case for Harris’ suitability and electability. Kamala Harris is a rock star, who like Barack Obama, has exposed the insecurities, jealousies, and weaknesses of some politicians and so-called, opinion leaders.

Speaking of Barack Obama, Harris shares numerous of attributes and common experiences with him. Both their parents held advanced degrees in their respective fields.

Harris and Obama were both constitutional scholars, trained in law. They also have had their citizenship, “Blackness,” and political leanings questioned. Obama and Harris are both eloquent orators, proven managers, and solid family people of good character. They are also “big thinkers,” who had the audacity to run for and win a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Senator Harris has proven to be a formidable adversary (e.g., winning a $25 billion

lawsuit against five mortgage companies), dismantling witnesses and colleagues in Senate proceeding (e.g., AG William Barr, Senator Rand Paul, Justice Bret Kavanaugh, et al), and delivering powerful, inspiring speeches when the lights are brightest and stakes highest (e.g., Democratic National Convention, etc.).

Why are The People for Kamala Harris?

She wants to reform and improve the justice system. This includes reducing the overpolicing (and criminalization) and mass incarceration of Black people, eliminating cash bail and the death penalty, as well as bringing back U.S. Department of Justice “consent decrees,” addressing racist policing (like abuse of excessive force, and racial profiling) and police violence. Candidate Harris also has a “Black Agenda,” which includes protecting HBCUs, education, environmental issues, reparations, public health concerns, and a myriad of other initiatives.

Finally, The People for Kamala Harris should include White women- 53% of whom voted for Trump in 2016. They missed a golden opportunity to put a woman in the White House in 2016, when Hillary Clinton came up short in the electoral college. Geraldine Ferraro, Shirley Chisolm, and other women have appeared on the ballot, but not prevailed.

How long, someone asked?

The People for Kamala Harris, know this: 2020 could very be your year. Remember 21

the words of former-Governor Ann Richards (TX), “Let us give her (Ginger Rogers) a chance to perform. After all, she did everything Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in heels.”

Suzanne Parks is the Director of Asset Development for the Ohio CDC Association, where she oversees state-wide asset building projects serving low to moderate income individuals. In her spare time, she likes to perform in community theatre productions and write. Ms. Parks was conferred a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ohio Dominican University and a Masters in Leadership Education from the Mid-America Christian University.

William McCoy is founder and principal consultant of The McCoy Company- a world-class, personal services consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, economic development, and training that helps clients articulate and achieve their visions, solve problems, and capitalize on their opportunities. Mr. McCoy has worked with national every level of government, nonprofit and for-profit enterprise (including the National Football League) and held two White House appointments. He holds BA and MPA degrees and is profiled in Who’s Who in the World and elsewhere. You can reach William McCoy at (614) 785-8497 or via e-mail at wmccoy2@themccoycompany. com. You can visit his current website at www.wmccoy29.wixsite.com/mysite.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

Let’s get back to business.

Apply now for grant funding cul.org/fund Three different grant funding streams now available:

“My team really deserved and needed a reprieve. One of my employees already had her phone service cancelled and was worried she couldn’t pay her rent or buy food for her children. I want everyone to know, they will find a way to help you!”

• Open Doors – up to $15,000 for companies of five employees or less.

• Employers+ – up to $100,000 for companies of 6-25 employees.

— Local business owner

• Technology Retention – up to $50,000 for digital or technology companies.

The Columbus African & Dayton African American • September 2020 American News Journal • February 2015

22

MESSAGE TO BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS: APPLY NOW

NEW FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY EQUITY FUNDING AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY

Franklin County Board of Commissioners, One Columbus and Columbus Urban League Align to Support Black and Historically Underutilized Businesses

Adopted by the Commissioners in August, the goals of the new alliance are to improve access to capital; increase the number of Black-owned vendors hired by corporations and governments; promote Black business representation and success in high-growth industries; strengthen the Black business support ecosystem; and build a data repository to monitor progress.

Black business owners can find new resources to ensure their long-term survival if they act quickly. New grants from the recently-formed Franklin County Business Growth and Equity Alliance strive to stabilize and grow small & medium-sized black-owned businesses and “We must respond to the ‘fierce urgency of black technology entrepreneurs. now,’” added Franklin County Administrator Kenneth Wilson. “Black-owned businesses Black-owned for-profit Franklin County are a critical part of our overall economic enterprises, in business since August 2019 backbone. They have been hardest hit and yet with a revenue loss of 25% or more since the are most critical to our collective recovery. onset of COVID-19, may be eligible for one We must help them recover and move of three grants: forward to sustainable success.”

• Open Doors – up to $15,000 for companies of five employees or less.

The Equity Alliance’s first initiative, the • Employers+ – up to $100,000 for companies Franklin County Community Equity Fund of 6-25 employees.

(FCCEF), is founded on a $2 million initial • Technology Retention – up to $50,000 for investment of CARES Act funding from digital or technology companies.

Franklin County. The team at the Columbus Urban League will administer the three grants T h e a p p l i c a t i o n a n d f u l l e l i g i b i l i t y that make up the FCCEF. requirements can be found at www.cul.org/ fund.

“Our team rapidly and strategically stepped forward to help minority businesses back in The Equity Alliance is a joint effort of the March,” said Stephanie Hightower, President Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and CEO of the Columbus Urban League.

Central Ohio economic development leader “With funding from Franklin County and One Columbus and social justice and racial the City of Columbus, we’ve already helped equity advocate the Columbus Urban 800 clients earn nearly $4.5 million in grants League. Their collaboration supports black or loans and saved at least 935 jobs. We’re and underutilized businesses historically the home of the state’s Minority Business diminished by both the economic injury Assistance Center for our area. Everyone is of systemic racism and, more recently, the weathering the same storm, but we’re not all disproportionate detrimental impact of the in the same boat. Now is the time to send a COVID-19 pandemic. life preserver to keep small business afloat today and shore them up for greater success “ M i n o r i t y - o w n e d b u s i n e s s e s w e r e in the future.” disproportionately left out of the federal assistance with only three percent having had I n o r d e r t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e c o u n t y ’ s access to the federal aid in Ohio,” said John entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Equity O’Grady, President of the Franklin County Alliance also intends to lay the foundation Board of Commissioners. “Our funding for a sustainable Community Development combined with this new collaboration with Financing Institution, a unique approach to One Columbus and the Columbus Urban providing access to capital and resources that League will not only help provide immediate under-resourced communities and businesses assistance which is so critical right now, it can need to prosper. help these businesses survive the pandemic and fully participate in our economy for the “ O n e C o l u m b u s l o o k s f o r w a r d t o years to come.” supporting Franklin County, the Columbus

23

Urban League, and most importantly, the entrepreneurs and businesses within our minority community to close the opportunity and wealth creation gaps in our region,” said Kenny McDonald, President and CEO of One Columbus.

Applications for the FCCEF grants will be accepted from now until Nov. 30, or whenever the funding is exhausted. Visit www.cul.org/fund for complete information and to apply.

About One Columbus As the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, One Columbus’ mission is to lead a comprehensive regional growth strategy that develops and attracts the world’s most competitive companies, grows a highly adaptive workforce, prepares our communities for the future, and inspires corporate, academic and public innovation throughout the Columbus Region. One Columbus expertly guides companies through the location decision process. Through strategic business outreach and customized research, the One Columbus team leverages public, private and institutional partnerships to grow the Columbus Region’s economy and strengthen its national and international competitiveness. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion. com.

About the Columbus Urban League Your Columbus Urban League has led Central Ohio’s social justice and racial equity movement for more than a century.

Our culturally authentic, integrated and relevant services achieve family stability and economic mobility, touching nearly 40,000 people annually. Recent events have brought thousands more to our doorstep looking for help to survive health, economic and racist devastation.

We relentlessly work for: • Recovery – keeping families in housing and businesses flourishing • Reform – eliminating systemic racism • Resiliency – boosting individual earning power and leveling the economic playing field for black communities

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Councilwoman Shayla Favor This year’s General Election just might be the most important election of our lifetime. Our great ancestor John Lewis once said, “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.”

We have a moral obligation to vote in 2020.

Not only do black lives and black children depend on us turning out the vote, but the integrity and future of our entire country depends on it. We cannot afford to be silent or absent.

No one can deny that 2020 has been one of the most difficult years we’ve collectively experienced in a long time. From managing the COVID-19 pandemic that has completely upended our lives, to processing the continued trauma of witnessing black bodies slaughtered in cities across America, and responding to the calls to defund and abolish

By Columbus School Board Member, Michael Cole The current events of the day which center on rampant dissidence, violence, fear, and ambiguity are nothing new in times of protest. In addition, the poorly addressed national issues of race, resources, politics and policy that ignite local communities is not new. As Columbus residents prepare for our upcoming presidential election, we must not lose sight of the importance of local livelihoods tied to our national democracy. A profound memory of protest in my youth comes to mind.

The year was 1990 at Cleveland Heights High when a senior classman named Nigel angrily said, “We’re just gonna walk the hell out-maybe then they’ll take notice and listen to us!” At the time, the population was nearly a 60% to 40% split between majority white and minority black students. African American students were disproportionately receiving the unjust hammer of punitive action when class reprimands, detentions, suspensions, and expulsions were administered. That cold February afternoon, I along with several hundred students anxiously walked off the

police -- it has been a heavy year. But these 1. Register to vote and request a mail-in ballot are all reasons why we must vote and ensure -- you can do this up until October 6, 2020 our demands for health, safety, and justice are 2. Vote early! heard loud and clear.

Our older black generations have been doing this for a long time. They understand and don’t take for granted the battles that our ancestors fought to cement and protect our voting rights. But it’s my own generation -- Millenials, and also Gen Z, who is on the front lines of the Black Lives Matter protests happening across the country, that we must encourage to head to the polls on November 3. Threats to the efficacy of the United States Postal Service are no laughing matter. Voter suppression is a real threat, and there are clear and defined efforts in place to prevent us from showing up this year. Our future depends on each and every one of us doing our part.

3. Sign up to work at the polls on Election Day by visiting workelectionday.com 4. No matter what, make sure your vote is counted on November 3 I know that many people, especially Black and Brown people, believe that their voices and votes don’t matter. But I’m here to tell you your vote matters. Every single election has consequences, and now, more than ever before, we cannot afford to sit this out. And after we vote this year, we also have to hold our elected leaders accountable to our needs.

This is just one step, albeit a very important one, in creating the communities we want to thrive in.

I am strongly encouraging each and every Columbus resident to do the following this Shayla Favor is a member of Columbus City year: Council.

school grounds chanting Public Enemy rap Professionally, I have solicited state and verses while marching just under two miles county governments for hundreds of to Cleveland Heights City Hall. thousands of dollars to pathway blacks into high-demand careers in information Our small movement felt much bigger in technology and manufacturing. None of this principle than the policies of then President could be possible without knowledgeable George H.W Bush. Even then, we were voters going to the polls to support issues mindful enough to know that all politics and candidates. They can also vote to the were local-- hence why we marched to contrary, but these issues and elected officials City Hall. We ultimately did achieve some appropriate dollars and legislate policies that progress. The school invited renowned impact you swiftly and directly.

Kent State University professor Mwatabu Okantah to address students. Also welcomed Nigel’s cry for justice initiated my first protest was the implementation of a Black Studies experience against a system that seemed to curriculum where teachers like Mrs. Watson aggressively single out black people. Like and Mr. Tarter taught us about Phillis so many others then and today, I simply had Wheatley, Louis Farrakhan, Zora Neal enough. Let’s not remain jaded by the events Hurston, Richard Wright, and Emmet Till. of the day. We must boldly submit our ballots Oddly enough, I didn’t fully understand how to our local Boards of Elections. We must local deliberations, policies, or even money intentionally cast our votes understanding connected to our protests. that mental health dollars are at stake, police reform is on the table, and the right elected Today, I am acutely aware of the power of leaders need to continue their work for us. a constituency’s voice through a ballot in This election is bigger than Donald Trump, my servant leader roles of elected official, because all politics are local and so are the post-secondary administrator, and community dollars. advocate. I have co-written policy that mandates equitable treatment and resources Michael Cole is a member of the Columbus for children.

City School Board.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

24

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Council President Angie Jenkins We must vote because someone voted for the first Federal Civil Rights Act of 1957, which provided voting rights protection for African Americans.

Only 20% African Americans were registered to vote at that time, because of voter registration discrimination. In the South, there were barriers such as poll taxes, literacy tests and other obstacles to keep African Americans from voting.

in the country and especially in the South.

The most effective piece of federal civil rights legislation, that outlawed literacy tests, and other devices used to discriminate against voters. This has been amended multiple times over the course of our history, but has played a very important role in our voting system.

you have not researched those on your ballot. Educate yourself by contacting your local Board of Elections, League of Women Voters, Urban League, NAACP, Local Republican or Democrat Office, and obtain information on every election on your ballot.

There are many ways to become involved in the political process. There is always a need for poll workers in your community, for information contact the Board of Elections. You can always volunteer in the election process by working with those that are running for office. Make sure that our young people understand the importance of voting and get them registered when they turn 18. Make sure that your own voter registration is current and up to date.

Help make a difference, to bring about the necessary changes in your city or state, because someone did it for you back in1957.

In November 2019, someone voted for me and that is how I was elected the first African American woman to serve as President for Reynoldsburg City Council.

We must vote because someone voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This Act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It also prohibited unequal application of voter registration requirements , racial discrimination in schools, employment and public accomodations.

Others voted, so that African Americans may have the freedom to vote. If we vote, we participate in creating legislation to protect the children, who are our future. We must vote not just in presidential elections, but for our City Council, School Boards, Judges, State Senators and State Representatives. We want to live in a neighborhood that has an excellent school system. You cannot have an excellent school system, if you do not vote for the School Board members. We need judges in the courtroom who will make fair and just decisions for our community.

We must vote because someone voted for the Voting Act of 1965. This Act prohibits racial discrimination in voting. This was signed into law during the civil rights movement. The Act secured the right to vote for minorities

We have been given the right to vote by those who fought and voted for us. We must make our voices heard at the polls, by voting in every election. Each year, each election is A n g i e J e n k i n s i s P re s i d e n t o f t h e important. Do not give a vote away, because Reynoldsburg City Council.

By Councilwoman Shanette Strickland Voting is our civic obligation.

The 2020 voter turnout for the presidential is vital. The distrust, chaos, division, and racial disparities across our nation have shed a greater light for those who have long ignored the bigotry and inequalities for so long. Our Vote is not just about us. Just as our ancestors before us, we’re voting not just for ourselves, but for generations to come.

Although considered free, Black men were at times permitted to vote in some states.

Enslaved Black people, who constituted more than 85 percent of the nation’s Black population between 1790 and 1860, were unable to vote anywhere in the United States.

Until a new era of democratic participation occurred and in 1965 Voting Rights Act was meant to eliminate the Jim Crow-era structural obstacles to full citizenship for black Americans, and by many events it succeeded. However, black Americans today experience deep social and economic biases.

Black and brown Americans have drastically fewer assets than their white counterparts.

Black and brown Americans have higher rates of unemployment, accrue less wealth, and have lower rates of homeownership, compared to other races.

Black Lives Matter has become one of the most significant movements in American history. Across the country, millions of people have taken to the streets to demand change to our country’s broken and unfair system. The mass mobilization has confirmed that there is a longing for black and brown voices to be heard, to advocate for change, and to make this country a sympathetic and inclusive space for all.

make it abundantly clear that we are not getting a fair shot at life.

This coming presidential election, we have an opportunity to vote for the Biden and Harris ticket. This is an historical moment in time for people of color and women. A Black female VP running who is part of a Black Greek Letter Organization and who attended a Historical Black college gives us hope that dreams come true. Harris is someone strong, who has faced and prevailed over hardship and obstacles throughout her life and career.

Evacuating the systemic racism that is the substance of America cannot be done without the voice of someone who has been exposed to that very racism. Having a Black woman in office is the best way to ensure our concerns are earnestly being heard and black and brown people truly live the American dream.

We must be Bold, Unapologetic, Fierce, and Stead-fast in advocating for the changes we would like to see in our own country and it STARTS with YOU and your VOTE.

As I walk through my community, I make it a point to share personal stories of my family and how the “system” has disproportionately and negatively impacted my loved ones.

I know I am not the only one with horror stories rooted in systemic racism. The passing of my sister, my cousins serving extensive time in jail, and other inequities faced by Shanette Strickland serves the area of Ward 1 black and brown communities nationwide, on the Reynoldsburg City Council.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

25

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

WHY WE MUST VOTE

EDITORIALS FROM BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

By Councilwoman Meredith Lawson-Rowe In November 2008, I had been moving all day and had not been watching the election results. When I paused for a break, I realized that Barack Obama was going to be President! I stopped and called my Grandmommy, Ruth Ella. She is the woman my mother Ruth Marilyn, me and my daughter Nandi Ruth are named after. I hollered in the phone, “Grandmommy, can you believe it? Obama is going to win!” She met my squeal in delight with uncontrollable sobs and tears of joy. As we both gained our composure, she reshared with me, that in Texas, where she grew up, she had to pay a poll tax to vote. As the celebrations of our first ever Black President unfolded on my television, I listened intently to her every word. “Well, Grandmommy,” I naively asked, “why did you have to pay a poll tax?” She responded, “I don’t know, honey, that’s just what we had to do in those days if we wanted to vote. And I wanted to vote, so I paid it.”

These stories shaped my social lens, so when I turned 18, I could not wait to vote for the issues and candidates that would represent me and those that I love. If my Grandmommy paid to vote and others were beaten and lost I am the great granddaughter of sharecroppers their lives for my right to vote, I would make from Georgia on my father’s side. On my it my business to cast my ballot. mother’s side, for Grandmommy, and my Mother, equal rights have always been at the We must vote if we want a representative forefront of their activism. Their traditions government. If we don’t vote, we are saying, filled me with an enthusiasm and genuine we are happy with the way things have thirst for social rights. always been done. I want those representing me to work to bring opportunity to the entire I grew up in Springfield, Ohio in a middlecommunity not just a select few. It is up to class environment, where voting, church, us to leave our community better for our kids public service and community organizing was a way of life. Being a child during the and grandkids.

My next question was, “Grandmommy, how much was the tax?” Her response was, “I don’t remember, Dear, they changed it all the time.”

70s, it was not uncommon to hear stories that promoted racial equality and women’s rights. My Mom shared that when she and my Dad were looking for a place to rent and eventually buy in Springfield, many places they would call were vacant. However, when landlords saw my parents in person, they would say the property was no longer available.

We must vote down the entire ballot. The presidential election is key, but so are all the state, local and judicial elections. Our Vote matters and we owe it to our future generations to get this right.

Meredith Lawson-Rowe represents Ward 4 on the Reynoldsburg City Council.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People P.O. Box 9463 ∙ Columbus, Ohio 43209 Phone/Fax: (614) 382-6900 Email: greatercolumbusnaacp@gmail.com · Website: http://www.naacpcolumbus.org Notice of September, October Meetings and November Election Dear Member: Please note the following General Membership meeting of the NAACP Columbus Branch, for the purpose of election of officer and at-large members of the executive committee.

1. On September 14, 2020, via ZOOM, 7 PM, until further notice, there will be an election of the Nominating Committee (between 5-15 members). All members whose memberships are current as of 30 days prior to the meeting date may be elected to the Nominating committee ( not more than 2 being officers of the unit).

2. On October12, 2020, via ZOOM at 7 PM, until further notice, there will be a report of the Nominating Committee, receipt of Nominations

by Petition, and election of the Election Supervisory Committee. All members whose memberships are current as of April 1st of the election year, who’s memberships have remained continuous throughout the election process, and who live and /or work within the unit’s jurisdiction, may be nominated for office or as an at-large member of the Executive Committee. In order to sign a nomination petition, or be elected to the Election Supervisory Committee, a member must be current as of 30 days prior to the October meeting.

3. On November 21, 2020, the election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee will take place at a facility TBD ( due to COVID 19). Polls will open from 10 AM to 2PM. In order to vote in a Branch election, one must be a member in good standing of the Branch 30 days prior to the election. A form of identification is required.

Should a run-off election be necessary that election shall occur on the 5th day of December, at 10 AM at location TBD (due to COVID 19).

Run-off elections shall be conducted not less than 10 days after the original election.

As of today, this is the announcement as required by the National NAACP Election’s Manual. Due to COVID-19m there may be an adjustment in the way the elections are held. We are in constant communications with the National Office and will make all needed adjustments as given. Safety of our membership is our number one priority as we are still in the middle of a pandemic. Please monitor our facebook page, website and check your e-mail for all updates.

We look forward to your participating in these activities in whatever form they take.

Brenda M. Davis Secretary, Unit 3177 NAACP Columbus Branch

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

26

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

By Ray Miller A More Perfect Reunion - Race, Integration, and the Future of America

By Calvin Baker

Know Your Price - Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities

By Andre M. Perry Noted educator, journalist, and scholar Andre Perry takes readers on a tour of six Black-majority cities whose assets and strengths are undervalued.

Perry begins in his hometown of Wilkinsburg, a small city east of Pittsburgh that, unlike its much larger neighbor, is struggling and failing to attract new jobs and industry. Perry provides a new means of determining the value of Black communities.

Rejecting policies shaped by flawed perspectives of the past and present, it gives fresh insights on the historical effects of racism and provides a new value paradigm to limit them in the future. Know Your Price demonstrates the worth of Black people’s intrinsic personal strengths, real property, and traditional institutions. These assets are a means of empowerment and, as Perry argues in this provocative and very personal book, are what we need to know and understand to build Black prosperity.

Americans have prided ourselves on how far we’ve come from slavery, lynching, and legal segregation-measuring ourselves by incremental progress instead of by how far we have to go. But fifty years after the last meaningful effort toward civil rights, the US remains overwhelmingly segregated and unjust. Our current solutions -- diversity, representation, and desegregation -- are not enough. At once a profound, masterful reading of US history from the colonial era forward and a trenchant critique of the obstacles in our current political and cultural moment, A More Perfect Reunion is also a call to action. As Baker reminds us, we live in a revolutionary democracy. We are one of the best-positioned generations in history to finish that revolution.

Policing Black Bodies - How Black Lives Are Surveilled and How to Work for Change

By Angela J. Hattery & Earl Smith From Trayvon Martin to Freddie Gray, the stories of police violence against Black people are too often in the news. In Policing Black Bodies Angela J. Hattery and Earl Smith make a compelling case that the policing of Black bodies goes far beyond these individual stories of brutality. They connect the regulation of African American people in many settings, including the public education system and the criminal justice system, into a powerful narrative about the myriad ways Black bodies are policed. Each chapter of the book opens with a true story, explains the history and current state of the issue, and looks toward how we can work for change.

The book calls attention to the ways class, race, and gender contribute to injustice, as well as the perils of colorblind racism— that by pretending not to see race we actually strengthen, rather than dismantle, racist social structures.

American While Black - African Americans, Immigration, and the Limits of Citizenship

By Niambi Michele Carter In this book, Niambi Michele Carter argues that immigration, both historically and in the contemporary moment, has served as a reminder of the limited inclusion of African Americans in the body politic. As Carter contends, blacks use the issue of immigration as a way to understand the nature and meaning of their American citizenshipspecifically the way that white supremacy structures and constrains not just their place in the American political landscape, but their political opinions as well. White supremacy gaslights black people, and others, into critiquing themselves and each other instead of white supremacy itself. But what may appear to be a conflict between blacks and other minorities is about selfpreservation. Carter draws on original interview material and empirical data on African American political opinion to offer the first theory of black public opinion toward immigration.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

Beyond The Messy Truth - How We Came Apart - How We Come Together

By Van Jones In Beyond the Messy Truth, Van Jones offers a blueprint for transforming our collective anxiety into meaningful change. Jones urges both parties to abandon the politics of accusation. He issues a stirring call for a new “bipartisanship from below,” pointing us toward practical answers to problems that affect us all regardless of region or ideology. He wants to tackle rural and inner-city poverty, unemployment, addiction, unfair incarceration, and the devastating effects of the pollutionbased economy on both coal country and our urban centers. . In his quest for positive solutions, Van Jones encourages us to set fire to our old ways of thinking about politics and come together to help those most in need.

Black Against Empire - The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party

By Joshua Bloom & Waldo E. Martin, Jr. Black against Empire is the first comprehensive overview and analysis of the history and politics of the Black Panther Party. The authors analyze key political questions, such as why so many young black people across the country risked their lives for the revolution, why the Party grew most rapidly during the height of repression, and why allies abandoned the Party at its peak of influence. Bold, engrossing, and richly detailed, this book cuts through the mythology and obfuscation, revealing the political dynamics that drove the explosive growth of this revolutionary movement and its disastrous unraveling. Informed by twelve years of meticulous archival research, as well as familiarity with most of the former Party leadership and many rank-and-file members, this book is the definitive history of one of the greatest challenges ever posed to American state power.

27

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

A TRIBUTE TO CHERYL A. BOYCE

FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OHIO COMMISSION ON MINORITY HEALTH

Cheryl A. Boyce (1949 - 2020) was the Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health for 24 years and helped over 30 states replicate the model. She was a pioneer in the Minority Health Month movement and organized the first celebration in Ohio in 1989.

We learn in John 3:16 this promise, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” There is no question that Cheryl Boyce loved the Lord. She believed and trusted in Him totally with all her heart and soul. That should give us great comfort in knowing that while Cheryl no longer inhabits this old earthly tabernacle she lives, and the good news is she will live forever, with God. I was first introduced to Cheryl Boyce by one of my best friends--Ako Kambon. I had convinced Governor Richard F. Celeste to issue Executive Order 85 - 69 Creating the Governor’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health. Ako called me and recommended Cheryl to be the Chief staff person to the Task Force. I talked it over with my Co-chair, Dr. Ronald Fletcher of Dayton, Ohio, and the rest is history.

Cheryl recruited almost all of the members of the Task Force and the staff. She played the central role in defining our work, a statewide hearing schedule, and the expected outcomes of the Task Force.

After I sponsored legislation to create the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, the first such entity in America, we were blessed to have Cheryl to become our first Director and to lead the Commission for the next 24 years. She was a remarkable Director and a true visionary.

Cheryl built the Commission, selected the staff, established Minority Health Month, established local offices of Minority Health, and helped to organize the National Association of Minority Health Offices.

Cheryl was a loving wife to her husband Russell, mother to her darling Ebony, a great sister, teacher, mentor, scholar, and grandmother. We will all miss her dearly. However, we are heartened by knowing that she lives in the hearts of us all who loved her for her vision, strength, and tenacity.

Ray Miller Publisher - The Columbus and Dayton African American “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”

Giving honor where honor is due, we are forever grateful for the life and service of our beloved Executive Director Emeritus Cheryl Boyce for her tireless efforts as a national and state trailblazer in Minority Health.

When she began her service to the Commission on Minority Health in 1985, the issue of racial and ethnic health disparities was seldom acknowledged but she insisted on starting the discussion.

She is known nationally as the “Mother of Minority Health” because her diligent efforts brought forth the establishment of the national, state and local infrastructure to address racial and ethnic health disparities through the creation of the National Association of State Offices of Minority Health, as well as the Ohio Ethnic Health Coalitions and the Ohio Local Offices of Minority Health. Her influence is immeasurable as she served a role model, mentor, and “Mom” to hundreds of professionals as she personally encouraged them to be diligent in addressing health disparities.

As one of the individuals she pulled under her wings, I am forever grateful for the knowledge that she poured into me, her example of faith and trust in God and the guidance she provided as I navigated my road in service to others.

Her groundbreaking efforts in Ohio resulted in culturally and linguistically appropriate chronic disease prevention initiatives, replication and expansion of effective prevention models, the creation of the Research Enhancement Evaluation Program and establishing the validity of health disparities at policy tables.

It is on her shoulders that we stand, and we are forever indebted to her husband Russell, daughter Ebony and her extended family for sharing her with us.

She often closed her presentations with these words – “Go in search of your people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build on what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say ‘We have done this ourselves.” – Lao Tzu Ms. Cheryl, we could not have done this work without you!!

Angela C. Dawson Executive Director - The Ohio Commission on Minority Health

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

28

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

“Thank you Senator Miller for conceiving the Taskforce on Black and Minority Health; selecting Mrs. Cheryl Boyce as its director; creating and funding the Ohio Commission on Minority Health; and appointing Mrs. Boyce as its Executive Director. You and Cheryl were a dynamic duo who I benefitted from personally and professionally. Cheryl was able to guide the Commissioners in Ohio for more than 25 years and helped to establish offices of Minority Health and Minority Health Month throughout the country. She was able to bring the voice of community and faith-based organizations to the forefront in developing health equity solutions.”

Charleta B. Tavares CEO PrimaryOne Health - Fmr. Ohio State Senator

Cheryl Boyce to me is someone who has my highest respect and admiration for everything that she has done in such a caring and loving way. She is an exemplar for community advocacy for all vulnerable groups to promote good health and overcome struggles and challenges.

We celebrate her extremely productive life, her leadership locally and nationally in promoting minority health and her vision to transcend health disparities and one day achieve health equity for all.

Cheryl became a mentor and a friend while working with her at the Ohio Commission on Minority Health for many years. She is a true trailblazer where many had followed her like a bright light in a dark path. She is an inspiration for strength and resilience particularly as she coped with her illness that has brought numerous challenges that she has faced so courageously. I know that she is a God loving prayerful person whose faith brought her peace. Now she is in her eternal home to be in the presence of God’s glory forever. Her job is done, and her mark on this earth is illuminated in the lives of so many she touched with love and grace. May she rest in eternal peace!

Dr. Cora Munoz Professor Emeritus - Capital University

The passing of Cheryl is a great loss felt by all. Cheryl retired from a distinguished career serving as the original Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, the first commission dedicated to the elimination of health disparities in communities of color in the United States. Her life’s work was dedicated to protecting our right to access affordable health care and eradicating systemic racial inequities within the health care system. A principled social justice warrior, Cheryl served our community with conviction and grace. Thank you, Cheryl, our community and the State of Ohio is better today because you answered the call to serve.

Kevin Boyce Franklin County Commissioner

I have had the privilege of knowing Cheryl Boyce since 1985. I first met her probably the same way she met many-it was while she was working her passion of reducing health disparities and recruiting, and by recruiting I mean assuring that if you were not already working in the vineyard that you were to join in her efforts, her noble efforts. In 1998 I got to know her as a patient, a patient who valiantly battled multiple myeloma for over 20 years. But, still she was a multi-battler- not a multi-tasker, but a multi battler- she continued to work and went forward with establishing national, statewide and local structures to address disparities. In addition, she co-founded and sustained the Hicks, Harris, Ferguson Multiple Myeloma Symposium. The same generous love that I saw her extend to her devoted husband Russell, and the apple of her eye her daughter Ebony, she extended to me in honoring my mother as part of that conference. For that and her passion and strength to speak truth to power for the reduction/elimination of disparities, her name will be etched for eternity in my heart and I’m sure the hearts of many.

Dr. William Hicks The James Cancer Center - The Ohio State University Continued on Page 31 29

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

governmentjobs.com/careers/franklincounty

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!

MARILYN BROWN The Columbus African & Dayton African American • September 2020 American News Journal • February 2015

JOHN O’GRADY 30

KEVIN L. BOYCE

A 400 YEAR HISTORY OF COURAGE, BRAVERY, A TRIBUTE TO CHERYL A. BOYCE LEADERSHIP AND SACRIFICE - OUR MILITARY SERVICE - CONTINUED By Tim Anderson I am the son of a career military parent. My father served in It is with the deepest sympathy we thefor Bean Family send heartfelt prayers to the Boyce Family. Russell and Ebony, may God grant you the United Statesthat Airforce all thatyears you need as you the adjust to therank physical thirty achieving highest for absence of your beloved Cheryl. a noncommissioned Master For 23 years I had theofficer, blessingChief of being Cheryl’s pastor through the many experiences and vicissitudes of life. As a promoter of health and Sargent. inHis father,the myOhio grandfather, James wellness leading Commission on Minority Health two scriptures bear witness to Cheryl’s ‘faith’ in God and her relationship D. Anderson Sr. (1915-2010) from Ruleville,to His disciple to go into all the world and minister. with Christ, who gave the great commission Mississippi attended of Jackson Statefor. andThe evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the substance things hoped later attended the Tuskegee Army Pilot “I can do Center, all thingswhere through which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 Training he Christ became a pilot

as a Tuskegee Airman during WWII. After the war would resettle Rev. Dr.he Michael Bean in the Los Angeles area and fly eleven for the Church California Pastor Emeritus - St.years Paul A.M.E. Civil Air Patrol. My brothers have served in the military as well; one serving fifteen years in the United States Air Force and the other serving in the Ohio Air National Guard.

Finally, my oldest son John, served four We findincomfort in knowing that ourwhere lives have years the United States Army, he been enriched by having shared their love. Dr. Leo Buscaglia was stationed in South Korea in the missile How do you honor a Giant? That is who Cheryl Boyce was a giant. I remember meeting Cheryl at a national conference held by the Office defense deployment Four to generations of Minority Health. Itunit. happened be a NASOMH (National Association of State Offices of Health) meeting. Her presence alone filled the room and men all offrom her wisdom and have unabashed of black my family servedhonesty and truth were appreciated. I was changed forever. Cheryl lived the servant life. God first, family andtime others before yourself. during war always, and peace with honor and That’s how she worked, how she led, how she taught and mentored. Helping to forge state offices of minority health, the countless sacrifices made to ensure health for all, helping to establish NASOMH cannot be put into words. distinction.

We are grateful to Cheryl’s family for sharing her and so grateful to God for allowing her to be part of this human tapestry of life and oh what a beautiful patch it lefthistory in this big quilt. So commitsthe to Revolutionary continue this great Cheryl has to left.

We honor and celebrate In our four-hundred-year military black soldiers serve in peacetime in the theNASOMH military during War.legacy her brilliance, tenacity, and bravery.

These tools NASOMH will continue to provide and lend support to the state offices of minority service was not initially a part of our With the promise that at the end of their western frontier. Known as the United health States and to all that in the fight to eliminate health disparities. Rest easy and receive your reward good solider. experience. Although prior to August 1619, enlistment, they would earn their freedom. Colored Troops (USCT) they would later Africans were among earlier expeditions However, this was a promised not kept. Many become known as the Buffalo Soldiers. A to North and South America, primarily as of these black militiamen were killed in battle name given to them by an indigenous tribe Antoniette Holt, MPH laborers on board European These and those who survived were often placed of the western plains, the Cheyenne warriors.

Past President/Vice President vessels.

- NASOMH expeditions were by and large, military back into slavery. Not until the American There were a total of six authorized black expansions of colonial European monarch Civil War and at the urging of Fredrick regiments under the command of white nations. Those nations included Spain, Douglas would black serve in the military. officers. The Buffalo Soldiers, as a domestic England, France, Portugal and the Dutch peacekeeping military force did participate empires which were all heavily involved in Douglas, pressured and persuaded President in fierce battles with indigenous tribes of the the slave and the colonization of North Lincolnimpression to allow the formation of anprofessionally all- plains. but on a personal level. Long before The legacytrade of Mrs. Chery A. Boyce has had a lasting on my life not only and South America and the Caribbean.

The black military regiment.

The Emancipation racism was considered a public health issue Mrs. Boyce spent her entire career tirelessly serving our community in addressing equity first Africans of an expedition, who came black commissioned officer of was the set justice forth by issues.

A truenot visionary and pioneer who lead Proclamation the way in social wellLincoln before itwhich becameThe the first mainstream narrative. Mrs. Boyce to colonized north American were from United States military served in USCT. A instrumental in the establishment of Local Offices of Minority Health within health departments in Ohio. As a result of that vision we are abolished slavery in all states, established now ableThey to work with a number of localslave agencies, health and other health entities to coordinate, educate, and collect Angola. were aboard a Portuguese former slave and West Point graduate, Henry the clinics, foundation forprofessionals the recruitment of free data issues all that you have Mrs. Boyce say thank you! this Thank you forfirst instilling ship on which wasimpacting pirated bydisparities. other slave For traders O.toFlipper became nation’s black blacks and done enslaved blacksI personally to becomewant the being strategic and deliberate in addressing healthArmy. and equity in all policies.

Thank you for mentoring countless young andimportance sold to theofBritish.

Eventually these soldiers commissioned officer as a Buffalo Soldiers. in the Union The 1st Kansas professionals like myself instilling the values ofColored commitment and perseverance.

Thankwould you forHe yourwould humility, grace professionalism as enslaved Africans would find themselves later be and court-martialed and Volunteer Infantry Regiment those lessons have impacted how I interact with colleagues.

I am honored have had the pleasure of working with you, to learn from you, in Jamestown, Virginia in August of 1619. be the first all-black regiment, the second lose his commission, only to have his case and to carry would on the become vision you set in place.

Jamestown thehave epicenter for all black regiment would be the Fifty- appealed 118 years later, when then President slavery, migrating the slave trade along the Fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Bill Clinton exonerated his prior court martial eastern seaboard colonies from Georgia to Regiment, known as the Massachusetts conviction and restored his commission.

Ryan Johnson Massachusetts.

54th (and made known in the 1989 film, Beyond, keeping the peace in the plains of Glory). Both regimens were commanded North America, Buffalo Soldiers have fought The slave traders, the European Monarchs by white officers, blacks could not become outside of United States’ borders. Buffalo along with their military brought slavery into commissioned officers, but could obtain rank Soldiers have fought in the Spanish-American what is commonly referred as the Middle as noncommissioned officers. Both sons of War of 1898, The Philippine-American War Passage.

In 1770, the from descendant of an (1899–1902) WorldofWar I. Domestically, Fredrick served the Massachusetts We were honored to learn Ms. Cheryl Boyce duringDouglas her tenure as ain board director of the Health Policyand Institute Ohio.

Her passing enslaved African and a former slave, Crispus five hundred Buffalo Soldiers were among 54th as noncommissioned officers.

One is a loss for our state and country. Her leadership laid a foundation for an ongoing commitment in our organization to take on racism as Attucks would die at the hands of a British our nation’s first national park rangers; of Douglas’ sons was wounded during the a driver of health disparities and inequities. Her legacy lives on, in the work of her daughter and all who were mentored and nurtured by soldier at theofBoston Massacre Rebellion patrolling Yosemite National health Park, Sequoia failed assault Confederate forces her, the efforts the Ohio Commission of Minority Health andagainst the commitment of many to at advance the mission of advancing equity. in Boston Massachusetts. His death would Fort Wagner in Charleston South Carolina. National Park and the Sierra National Park. be recognized as the first blood shed for Lincoln would later credit the recruitment and Their signature cavalry hats with the four Amy Rohling McGee America’s independence from England. service of black soldiers as the major turning indented side peaking at the top is still worn President - Health Policy Institute of Ohio point in the outcome of the American Civil and coveted by the National Park Service Both colonial states and the British military War. Rangers of today. The seventy-five year old offered slaves their freedom if they chose National Park Service pitch-bear, Smokey to serve in their respective military. Slave After the Civil War, the United States Continued on Page 32 owners would allow their slaves to enlist in Congress passed legislation that enabled The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

31

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

I AM TIRED OF THIS SH*T!

By Cecil Jones, MBA RACISM DESTROYS ALL OF US I received a call. The voice on the other end of the phone was very, very, very familiar.

He is a friend who has been a warrior in our human struggles in Ohio for as long as I have known him. He is accomplished, very well formally (many degrees) and informally (community) educated. The Brother is accomplished. This Black Man is polished.

He does not use harsh words, unnecessarily.

He mentors. He provides a way for others.

The Gentleman always ‘Does unto others, as he would like done unto himself’. He is a role model for many in our Ohio community and beyond.

repeating these hateful, racist actions?

Please look at a browser on your phone, tablet or computer and enter words like: ‘Youtube Riots and protest in Watts in 1965’ or go to the link https://www.dayton.com/news/ local/look-back-the-worst-race-riots-daytonhistory/ZiUIbSYs13azznnVCHxABM/ (you can enter just a few of these key words. That will get you to links that will take you to the article).

For decades, there was a White women and Black women connection; there were Black women who marched alongside White women to get the right to vote. After White women achieved voting rights, what happened to help achieve Black voting rights? Nothing!

Technology is Color Blind?

I spend my career focused time on IT Leadership and specifically on how to improve organizations, using technology and technology-based processes. Some of this is technology focused, some is people focused, some is project focused and some is business/ organization structure focused. I often hear that technology is color blind because faceto-face contact is avoided and there is no Listening to a Proud, Disciplined Black discrimination in most technology-based transactions.

Leader Enter ‘Youtube Bull Connors video police dogs fire hoses’ to see video that show scenes that remind one of some of the tactics used by police forces, even today. While the tactics are not 100% identical, the net effect is the same: the illegal hurting and maiming of protesters.

As the first words on his call to me, he quietly but demonstrably said “I am TIRED of The leader who called me is one of my role models. I lean on him for insight, comfort, THIS SH*T !”. and understanding. Listening to him, it I was shocked to hear this from the mouth of was obvious that he was sharing from his an always composed and poised gentleman. decades of deep frustrations, incidents and Of course, I wanted to get the context of his observations. This was difficult for me frustration. So, I asked “What’s going on?”. to hear, coming from him. He is a strong My immediate thought was to be a supportive and visionary Brother. I was strong and friend and colleague and just listen for now. supportive during the call. However, I had Sometimes supportive listening is best. He to take some time after that call to get myself went on for about 20 minutes (…a long 20 together, again. If one of the strongest people minutes). A few (not all) of the things that in our part of the country is affected by this he frustratingly shared are below in italics, peculiar state of institutional racism, how is a confused young Black person (with perhaps paraphrased. not the strongest family support) expected to - No matter how hard we struggle and prove have the ability to rise through this system? ourselves, the majority of whites don’t care, This leader has support but I am reaching out, and they are not influenced to even begin getting him a little more support. to change their unfounded negative views Are We Revisiting the 1960s? Does History toward African-Americans.

Repeat Itself?

This reminds me of Michelle Obama’s observation that we are “invisible”, and In each summer in the middle to late 1960s, our lives are just incidental to many of the there were riots in Dayton, Ohio and many, majority community. It also fits in with the many other cities. Black families would well repeated phrase that when a successful, watch the evening news and see the videos disciplined Black person appears, the of dozens of cities on fire, at the same time. comment heard shared is that person is an There was an incident that occurred each exception. This implies that Black people summer that took Black communities over are not supposed to be successful or have the edge. Sometimes the communications and boiling point took a couple of days (there was discipline. no social media technology, of course) but it -Even now, after decades of being in the did happen. press, doing good works for those who are in need, mentoring, helping anyone In Dayton, the Ohio National Guard unemployed obtain work, working to help positioned themselves at the bridges those who cannot help themselves, I and that separate the Black West Side from people that work with me still get harassed Downtown Dayton. They would not allow the West Siders to cross the bridges to and threatened. go downtown where key businesses and The more one helps others, the more one is government existed. exposed to those who implore devil focused tactics to dissuade those who want this to be At that time, there was a stronger AfricanAmerican and Jewish connection. Jewish a better world for all. business owners thrived in the Black -Our people went through this in the 1960s community. Jewish and Black leaders talked and for centuries before, why is America still each week. Where is that connection today?

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

32

When I hear that, I ask the person to describe the culture and racial composition of their technology organization. I ask “Who built the software?”. Almost never is the composition of the technology organization reflective of the community in which they are based nor of their customer base. It is alright to electronically accept the money of customers who are people of color but not actively recruit them into their organization(s) that developed that technology.

Finally…There is Hope I am praying for Black folks. I am praying for All folks. We all have actions that we can take to fight against injustice. If you cannot leave home, there is the telephone and your computer (email, social media, etc.). When is the last time that you actually wrote a letter? A letter is VERY impactful. Donate: All causes need money. Communicate. Make your thoughts known. Motivate those people that you know that are not registered to vote or who vote every now and then. Elections can be close - ask Hillary Clinton. You have a God given skill set. Use it to help make things better.

If you are pretty good with technology that is widely used, help others. If you need help in learning newer technology, let me know.

There are avenues of learning new technology that are free or very, very inexpensive.

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

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

VOTE BY MAIL

By Desiree Tims We’ve all heard it before.

“This is the most important election of our lifetime.” Well in 2020, we’re serious. It has never been more important to elect a new President. We must remove Donald Trump from the White House, elect Joe Biden, and restore dignity to the office.

I, myself, am running for Congress because the voters of Ohio’s 10th district deserve to be represented by someone who will put them first instead of bowing to corporate special interests. We need a leader who will restore the kind of opportunity that led my Paw Paw, a sharecropper from Mississippi, to Dayton in search of a life that would allow him to build a brighter future for his family.

But we can’t stop at Joe Biden. And we can’t stop at my name. Other races on the ballot need our attention too. In Ohio, we will be electing state supreme court justices that decide important judicial matters. Plus local leaders like sheriff and district attorney, roles If we ever hope to address these problems govern public safety and have the most direct on a national level, we must change who we elect to public office. The novel coronavirus impact on our daily lives. has devastated our communities and our In a year where African American voices, economy, but it shouldn’t keep us from bold and resolute, are demanding systemic exercising our constitutional right to vote. change in streets across America, our voices The ballot is where change can happen in 2020. must also be heard at the ballot box.

But we find a struggle for justice at the ballot box too. Our communities have fought long and hard for the right to vote.

And to this day, we endure a multitude of voter suppression tactics including reduced numbers of polling places, voter ID laws, felony disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, and voter intimidation. This year already, we’ve seen hours-long lines and machinery that just didn’t work during primaries in Georgia and Wisconsin.

On top of all this, we now find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic that will make it more challenging to vote. And as the saying goes, when white America catches a cold, Black folks get pneumonia. With COVID-19 it is no different. Black Americans are nearly three times more likely than white Americans to contract coronavirus. And once sick, Black Americans are also more likely to die from the disease. We can trace these health disparities to a long history of discrimination, severe racial and economic inequality, and lack of access to preventative healthcare. Some experts predict half of all Black businesses will shutter their doors to the impact of coronavirus. We cannot accept that as our reality. Our communities cannot afford it.

But, in the midst of an ongoing pandemic and persisting social unrest, conditions are likely to be worse this November. Every one of us needs to have a voting plan, today. And make sure our friends have one too.

We can make voting safer by voting early in-person, where there are shorter lines and fewer people voting at once. In Ohio, you may vote early in-person starting on October 6 at your county Board of Elections office.

County Board of Elections offices are typically open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday, but hours vary and there is some weekend availability, so it’s worth calling ahead of time to make sure they’ll be open.

But if you want to avoid the polls all together, that is where voting by mail comes in. In times of uncertainty, a great way to ensure your vote is counted is to request an absentee ballot and vote by mail (VBM). It’s easy, safe, and secure.

First, contact your local Board of Elections (BOE) office and ask to be sent a ballot request form. Or, you can access the form online through the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. Once you have the request form, fill it

33

out, sign it, and return it to your local Board of Elections. After the request is processed, you will receive your ballot in the mail starting on October 6. When you get your ballot, you can fill it out from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Once you’ve marked your ballot, you can return it by mail to your county BOE office.

It must be postmarked no later than Monday, November 2, 2020 and received by the BOE no later than Friday, November 13, 2020.

You may also drop your completed ballot in the convenient and secure 24-hour drop box located outside your county BOE office prior to 7:30 PM on Election Day. It’s that simple.

This year, I plan to vote by mail and return my ballot to a drop box because it’s the best way for me to prioritize my health and exercise my right to vote. I hope you’ll do the same!

Desiree was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and is a proud product of Dayton Public Schools. Inspired by her grandfather, who was forced to leave school at age six to support his family as a sharecropper in the Deep South, Desiree became the first in her family to earn a four-year college degree.

Desiree is a graduate of Dayton Dunbar High School, Xavier University, and Georgetown Law. Desiree worked in the White House during President Barack Obama’s first presidential term. She then worked on Capitol Hill for Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). Members of the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus elected Desiree to serve as their President.

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

COLUMBUS CITY ATTORNEY JOINS FIGHT AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ATTEMPTS TO REDUCE CENSUS EFFORTS Coalition Argues Reduction in Time for Census Self-Response and Door-toDoor Follow-Up Will Lead to Substantial Undercount COLUMBUS – Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein has joined a large coalition of attorneys general, cities, counties, and the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors in taking legal action against the Trump Administration’s impairment of the 2020 Decennial Census. Earlier this month, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it was reducing — by an entire month, from October 31 to September 30 — the time in which selfresponse questionnaires will be accepted and door-to-door follow-ups by census enumerators will take place. The coalition filed an amicus brief in National Urban League v. Ross , supporting the plaintiffs’ request for a nationwide stay or preliminary injunction to halt this “Rush Plan.” The coalition argues that this expedited schedule will hamstring the bureau’s ongoing efforts to conduct the census and will thus impair the accuracy of its enumeration of the total population of each state.

“Having an accurate Census is critical in obtaining appropriate federal funding and accurate representation,” said Klein. “We cannot allow the Trump administration to rob the citizens of Columbus and other communities across the nation the right -- as required in the Constitution -- to be counted.

Cutting the timeline is cutting people out.”

In the brief — filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California —the coalition of 23 attorneys general, five cities, four counties, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, argue that amici have a direct stake in this dispute, as the decennial census determines the states’ political representation in Congress, provides critical data for states’ redistricting efforts, and affects hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to states and localities. An inaccurate census will directly impair those interests, inflicting harms that will persist for the next decade.

The administration’s efforts to reduce the time for both self-responses of the questionnaire sent to every household across the country, as well as non-response follow-up operations for those who don’t respond, will inevitably harm the accuracy of the population count.

The shorter time period also flies in the face of what the Census Bureau previously said itself was necessary to conduct an accurate count, as it alters the deadline that the bureau had adopted specifically to accommodate the unique difficulties posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

An undercount would severely impact the City of Columbus and other immigrant-rich cities. A district court previously found — in the litigation over the citizenship question — that even a small undercount would raise a “significant risk of an apportionment loss” to Ohio and other similar states. Such a loss would deprive these states of political power in Congress for a decade, hampering their efforts to serve their residents and depriving them of the representation to which they would otherwise be entitled. The undercount would also affect harm within states since census data is used for redistricting of state legislative seats as well.

Additionally, an undercount would affect hundreds of billions of dollars of federal funding that are dependent on the decennial census’s population count. In particular, at least 18 federal programs distribute financial assistance based in whole or in part upon each state’s relative share of the total U.S. population. Numerous other programs distribute funds based off of census data as well.

Census is at stake, and the defendants — the U.S. Department of Commerce, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the Census Bureau, and Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham — have all repeatedly attempted to manipulate the census, in multiple ways, under the direction of President Donald Trump by previously attempting to add a citizenship question to the census and by excluding undocumented immigrants from the population count that will be used for congressional apportionment. The coalition highlights that all three of these efforts disregard unambiguous constitutional or statutory requirements, consciously deviate from centuries of consistent practice, and fail to deal honestly with the public and the courts.

Further, self-response rates for 2020 lag behind the rates for 2010 in most states, including in Ohio. And — due to numerous factors, including Columbus’ large immigrant population — the city’s self-response rate remains below the national rate.

Joining Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein and Attorney General James in filing this amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The attorneys general are joined by the cities of Central Falls, RI; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; and Pittsburgh, PA. Additionally, Cameron, El Paso, and Hidalgo Counties in Texas; Howard County in Maryland; and the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors joined the amicus brief as well.

The coalition goes on to argue that the court should not view this Rush Plan in a vacuum.

The very integrity of the 2020 Decennial

For more information contact Tammy Robert Myers at 614-743-3349 or at tarobertsmyers@columbus.gov.

The Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020

34

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

DON’T BE NAIVE THIS NOVEMBER through June 1, 2020, his fourth year in office. This is the second-most Article III judicial appointments through this point in all presidencies since Jimmy Carter (D).

The Senate had confirmed 228 of Carter’s appointees at this point in his term. The average number of federal judges appointed by a president through June 1 of their fourth year in office is 176.

By Darren Lundy, MBA I usually try to avoid offering political commentary, however, considering the high stakes of the upcoming election drastic times call for drastic measures.

Recently, one of my clients made a comment that caused me grave concern about the propaganda coming out of the White House.

This individual was saying how fortunate we are to have Donald Trump as our president and if Joe Biden is elected, how African Americans will lose significant progress made over the past four years. Due to the longterm ramifications of an election outcome, I decided it is my responsibility to help set the record straight. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, our infamous president continues to spew political rhetoric. Yet, behind closed doors he is undermining much of the progress made by his predecessors.

FAIR HOUSING ACT Donald Trump continues to instill divisiveness by stoking Caucasian’s fear of people of color. He is sowing the seeds of fear with racial outburst at “all of the people living their Suburban Lifestyle Dream,” who he indicated would find themselves living in a multi-racial nightmare if Joe Biden is elected. The vast Black vs. White disparities in housing are the foundation of America’s systemic racial inequalities, and Caucasians of all political persuasions are reluctant to upset the status quo.

President Trump recently stated at a virtual rally, “People have gone to the suburbs. They want the beautiful homes. They don’t have to have a low-income housing development built in their community…which has reduced the prices of their homes and increased crime substantially.” Consequently, Trump rescinded a rule issued by the Obama administration in 2015, that required localities to track recurring issues around housing discrimination and create detailed plans for how to fix those problems.

The median number of Supreme Court justices appointed is two. Along with President Trump, Presidents Barack Obama (D), Bill Clinton (D), and George H.W. Bush (R) had each appointed two Supreme Court justices at this point in their first terms.

The median number of United States Court of Appeals appointees is 32. Trump appointed the most with 51, while Reagan appointed the least with 25. Trump’s 51 appointments make up 28% of the total 179 judgeships across the courts of appeal.

higher education and last July withdrew the above referenced guidance that arguably interpreted court decisions on affirmative action in a way that encouraged the use of race.

UNEMPLOYMENT According to Forbes magazine, the official unemployment rate was 11.1% in June, but that does not portray the full picture. For the fourth month in a row there were millions of people whose employment status was misclassified. This has been caused by the surveyors working from home and not having access to all the tools they normally use.

In March there were 1.4 million people misclassified. If they had been correctly allocated, the unemployment rate would have been 5.3% versus the reported 4.4%. In April there were 8.1 million people misclassified.

If they had been correctly allocated, the unemployment rate would have been 19.5 % versus the reported 14.7%.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION This administration lacks a commitment to meaningful racial diversity in education or Even with the positive jobs results the past to the kind of affirmative action policies that few months, the unemployment rate, and the number of unemployed people under encourage it.

President Trump’s administration are still Under former President Barack Obama, at the worst levels than at any time during the United States Department of Education President Obama or the Great Recession. At and the United States Department of Justice the height of the Great Recession in 2010, jointly issued guidance that explains how unemployment reached 9.9% and steadily educational institutions can lawfully pursue declined year after year until it bottomed voluntary policies to achieve diversity or out at 3.7% in 2019. This unprecedented avoid racial isolation within the framework downward trend was the result of the of Titles IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act economic recovery plan put in place under of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause of President Obama. President Trump simply the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. benefited from the work of his predecessor.

Constitution, and current case law.

FEDERAL JUDGE APPOINTMENTS The Trump administration is very skeptical Donald Trump has appointed, and the Senate about race-conscious admission policies in has confirmed 197 Article III federal judges 35

The median number of United States District Court appointees is 142. Carter appointed the most with 176, and Reagan appointed the fewest with 109. Trump has appointed 142 district court judges so far. Those appointments make up 21% of the 677 judgeships across the district courts.

Article III federal judges are appointed for life terms by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate per Article III of the United States Constitution.

Article III judges include judges on the: Supreme Court of the United States, U.S. courts of appeal, U.S. district courts, and the Court of International Trade.

If you listen to all the rhetoric coming from the President about what he has done for the African American community, you will be misled. When the show is over and you pull back the curtain, you will see the true essence of the man. In the words of the O’Jays, “smiling in your face, the back stabbers” arguably describes the 45th President of the United States. Before casting your vote in November, it is imperative that you make it your business to get the facts as it relates to President Donald Trump.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss wealth building strategies, please give us a call, at 614-468-1660 for a complimentary consultation.

Darren, a Columbus, Ohio native has earned degrees in Business, Accounting, and an MBA. He has over twenty-five (25) years’ 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, Wealth Conscious LLC, (614) 4681660, www.wealth-conscious.com. He holds his Series 65 and Life and Health licenses.

Investment advisory services are offered through Foundations Advisors, LLC an SEC registered investment advisor.

Columbus & Dayton African American • September 2020 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

HISTORY CHADWICK BOSEMAN: PROMINENT ACTOR & BLACK PANTHER SUPER HERO

By Rodney Blount, Jr., MA Every year is unique, but 2020 will go down in history as one of the most impactful and life changing years not just of the century, but possibly of all time. The world has been impacted by COVID-19 and the resulting pandemic. Around the world, over 25 million people have contracted COVID-19 and over 840,000 people have perished (over 180,000 of the deceased being from the United States). Schools, businesses, churches and other public venues have been closed for long periods of time to protect the health and safety of everyone. Social distancing and face masks have become the norm. One of the most important presidential elections in the history of the United States will take place in November as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are not only campaigning to become the next President and Vice President of the United States, but they are also advocating a completely different paradigm shift in policy and vision from the current administration. During this time, the Black Lives Matter movement has grown like never before after the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arberry, and many others. Protests and marches against racial injustice have been held in every state and around the world by people of all backgrounds. The historic commemoration of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963) was held on August 28, 2020 and galvanized on the momentum of activism.

The 2020 March on Washington emphasized the urgency of addressing and eliminating racial injustice, especially within the police departments. This consciousness has brought about a renewed sense of pride and purpose, especially among young African Americans.

Relatedly, the movie Black Panther (2018) brought a global since of pride to the black diaspora unlike any other movie. The movie had an overwhelmingly African American cast, many with superhero powers, who were seen in a positive light while addressing Afrocentric themes. The principal superhero, Black Panther/King T’Challa, was played by the late Chadwick Boseman. I am dedicating this article to Chadwick Boseman whose life, although cut short, inspired millions around the world.

Chadwick Aaron Boseman was born on Nov. 29, 1976, in Anderson, South Carolina, to Carolyn and Leroy Boseman. His mother was a nurse and his father was a textile factory worker and manager of an upholstery business. He also has an older brother, Kevin,

Photo Marvel Studios

who was a part of the Alvin Ailey dance company. Through DNA testing, Boseman was proud to trace his ancestry to the Krio people from Sierra Leone, Yoruba people from Nigeria and Limba people from Sierra Leone. Boseman matriculated through local schools and graduated from TL Hanna High School. During his junior year, he wrote his first play, Crossroads, based on shooting and eventual death of a fellow student. He was also on the basketball team. His coach, Wayne Jones, commented, “When you saw him, he could light up a room. It was a Hollywood smile.” He was also active in his church’s youth group and choir.

After high school, Boseman attended Howard University, one of the oldest and largest HBCUs, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing. Boseman and a few classmates were selected to participate in a summer theatre course at Balliol College, Oxford, UK. His teacher and future mentor, renowned actress Phylicia Rashad, arranged for their costs to be covered through her connections, including Denzel Washington.

Boseman was also a graduate of New York City’s Digital Film Academy, fulfilling a passion to write and direct as well as studying acting to learn how to relate to actors.

Upon graduation, Chadwick Boseman taught acting at the Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture in Harlem and spent some years playing small roles in TV shows.

His first television role was in an episode of Third Watch in 2003. Later in 2003, Boseman portrayed Reggie Montgomery in the daytime soap opera All My Children.

Boseman had guest roles on the series Law & Order, CSI:NY, and ER. In 2008, the television series Lincoln Heights cast him in a recurring role and he appeared in his initial

The Columbus African & Dayton African American - September 2020 American News Journal • February 2015

36

feature film, The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. In addition, he had a recurring role in the television series Persons Unknown in 2010. Boseman resumed writing plays. His script, Deep Azure, was performed at the Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago and nominated for a 2006 Joseph Jefferson Award for New Work.

In 2013, Chadwick Boseman had been directing an off-Broadway play in East Village and was considering giving up acting and pursuing directing full-time at the time before he acquired an opportunity that would change his life. Boseman landed his first starring role in the film 42, in which he portrayed baseball pioneer and star Jackie Robinson. He beat out more than 20 other actors in his audition for the role. He trained for months with baseball coaches and devoted many hours to talk with Rachel Robinson, Robinson’s widow, to gain more insight into his personal life. He gravitated towards movie biopics and depicted several American icons including James Brown in Get On Up (2014), and the civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall in Marshall (2017). “I don’t think I would’ve been ready for Black Panther had I not done those three roles,” he said.

In 2016, Boseman launched his portrayal as the character T’Challa / Black Panther in the Marvel Comics, with Captain America: Civil War being his first film. He became the headliner for the epic Black Panther movie in 2018, which focused on his character and his home country of Wakanda in Africa.

Black Panther, the first superhero film to be nominated for an Oscar for best picture, was nominated and won dozens of awards and grossed over $1.3 billion dollars worldwide.

Continued on Page 37

(Top Left) Boseman played Jackie Robinson in “42” (2013), (Top Right) Boseman was the keynote speaker at his alma mater, Howard University (2018), (Bottom Left) Boseman with his wife Taylor, (Bottom Right) Boseman in “Marshall” as the late Thurgood Marshall (2017)

Continued from Page 36

The cast was predominantly black and the director, Ryan Coogler, was also black. The elaborate production expanded and diversified the traditional depiction and understanding of superhero and fantasy films. Emily Yahr noted, “As T’Challa, the king of the fictional African country of Wakanda, Mr. Boseman presided over an advanced civilization that had resisted colonial incursion and, through its technological capabilities, remained hidden from the outside world. He adopted an accent that seemed to be from no country on Earth — pure Wakandan, in other words.”

Mr. Boseman continued to star in roles after Black Panther including Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: End Game, 21 Bridges and Da 5 Bloods. He also was the recipient of many awards including an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a motion

film and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor. He donated money to kids in need and to programs like the Boys and Girls Club. He received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Howard University in 2018.

Chadwick Boseman passed away on August 28, 2020, after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He continued to act for most of the time that he courageously battled cancer. He is survived by his wife, Taylor Ledward. Boseman impacted more in his 43 years of life than most people will ever be able to do. He instilled a since of pride in countless people and became a favorite superhero to fans of all backgrounds.

Boseman’s ‘Wakanda forever’ salute, with his arms crossed over his chest, became an iconic cultural touchstone symbol. When addressing students at Howard University’s 2018 commencement, Boseman exclaimed, “Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an

essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history.” We thank Chadwick Boseman for sharing his sense of purpose through his gift of acting and being at the right time and place for all to appreciate his career and legacy.

Works Cited https://see.news/ https://www.theguardian.com/ https://www.herbwalker.com/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/ https://www.wspa.com/ Rodney Blount is an Educator and Historian.

He received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Ball State University and a Masters of Arts degree from The Ohio State University. His work has been featured in several publications. Rodney is a native of Columbus, Ohio and is a member of several organizations.

To Advertise in The Columbus - Dayton African American contact us at: editor@columbusafricanamerican.com Ray Miller, 503 S. High StreetPublisher - Suite 102 750 East Long Street, Suite Columbus, OH 43215 3000 614-571-9340 Columbus, Ohio 43203

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

37

The Columbus & Dayton African American - September 2020

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY EVENTS As we continue to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering a list of “virtual community events” that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Below are some events that you might find interesting.

September 9, 2020

September 20, 2020

WWJD: Racism In The Church

African Americans and The Vote: Where Do We Go From Here?

Christians are taught to love all people and follow in the footsteps of Jesus who spent much of his time on earth serving and advocating for society’s most marginalized people. Yet today, instances of racism continue to be intertwined within the faith, and many Christians find themselves frustrated with the Church’s inability to address these issues as well as take a stance of being anti-racist.

Poll taxes, literacy tests, fraud and intimidation have all historically been used to turn African Americans away from the polls. More recently, voter suppression and the blocking of suffrage for formerly incarcerated persons continue to dampen the power of the Black vote.

Why have many suburban Christian churches kept silent on racism for so long, and how can churches ensure future generations of Jesus followers don’t inherit the same skittish approach to combating racism? How can Christians serve and do good in communities of color while sharing power to create equity and justice? Join this virtual panel of Evangelical pastors via Zoom along with others from both the city and suburbs who are interested in advancing the conversation together.

Featured Speakers:

Join us for a webinar by Prof. Erika Walker, lecturer in the Africana Studies department in the College of Ethnic Studies at SF State, as she explores the long and continuing struggle for African-American voting rights.

How are voting rights, now and historically, being pushed forward/ protected by movements in the streets?

What are aspects of “Active Citizenship”? How else can we use our power? And where do we go from here?

Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Admission: Free Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/african-americans-and-the-votewhere-do-we-go-from-here-tickets-118548556925?aff=ebdssbonlin esearch

Sonny Smith of Detroit Church Danny Cox of Kensington Church Scott McKee of Ward Church

September 24-25, 2020

This is a virtual discussion. The Zoom link will be emailed to you upon registering for this event.

Join 6000+ Black and Minority tech Professionals and entrepreneurs online for 2 days of learning, networking and recruitment.

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Admission: Free Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wwjd-racism-in-thechurch-virtual-tickets-118328049381?aff=erellivmlt September 17, 2020 Coversations on Race Be part of a facilitated monthly discussion about the impact of race on our lives and in our communities. New theme each session. Open to all!

“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced,” James Baldwin.

Time: 5:00 PM - 6:45 PM Admission: Free Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conversations-on-raceseptember-registration-119315797763?aff=ebdssbonlinese arch

The Black is Tech Virtual Conference 2020

Due to COVID19, we were forced to cancel the live Black Is Tech Conference 2020 originally scheduled for April 17-18, 2020 in NYC. However, we knew we couldn’t let the year run by without bringing something for our amazing audience of Black, Latin X and other minority tech professionals. That’s why we decided to take the Conference online and even better, it’s FREE for everyone.

The 2-day event will include: - Keynotes, Fireside Chats and Panels from well renowned leaders in tech.

- Workshop sessions - Recruiting Sessions - Virtual Booths - Networking - Loads and loads of learning, information and connections.

Time: Sept. 24: Noon - Sept. 25: 7:00 PM Admission: Free Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-black-is-tech-virtualconference-2020-tickets-110071787680?aff=ebdssbonlinebrowse

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 email us at editor@columbusafricanamerican.com. Submissions are due the last Friday of each month.

The Columbus African & Dayton African American • September 2020 American News Journal • February 2015

38

39

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

YES FOR

ISSUE 1

Paid for by Clean Columbus

40

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015