Activists to be celebrated with Founders Day awards

The Lorain Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc. will be honoring activists for their contributions to the county during the 44th annual Founders Day Award Luncheon.

Also during the event at noon April 28, 14 scholarships will be awarded to Lorain County high school seniors.

Two of the highest awards will be given to recipients who represent African-American activists Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglas.

For this year’s luncheon, Lorain County activist Ike Amison will receive the award of abolitionist and public speaker Frederick Douglas. The Rev. Marilyn Parker-Jeffries of New Creation Baptist Church in Lorain will receive the award of women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth.

According to First Lady Vice-President Valerie Rogers, all award winners are chosen based on their positive influences in their community and schools.

Recipients of the Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglas awards are chosen among activists whose efforts in the community are those that resemble the historic figures, Rogers said.

Amison said receiving an award that represents a historic African-American activist in an honor.

However, he first turned down the award because he said he does not seek recognition for the work he does. Yet, he said members of the organization convinced him to attend and accept it.

“Frederick Douglas was an instrumental man in our history,” Amison said. “I support his strong efforts in fighting for equality. I’m glad to be accepting this award because he is one of the greatest heroes of our time.”

Amison works to help African-American youths in Lorain County. He is a Big in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County organization, assists with the Lorain County Urban League and is a volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.

He said that he strives to help the youth and all in need to have a successful and better life.

Parker-Jeffries said she’s humbled the organization considered her to be an appropriate recipient for the award.

“Sojourner Truth created her own path when there were so many obstacles against her,” Parker-Jeffries said. “Speaking as a woman in ministry, (women) had to create their own paths. In line with that, I feel like I am walking as an activist for women in ministry. If a door won’t open, we create our own doors.”

She said she is humbled and honored to be getting recognition for what she was called to do in her heart’s passion.

“You see yourself (taking on) what you’re called to do and don’t think too much about it,” she said.

Parker-Jeffries is the founder/pastor of the 11-year-old church, and the first female chaplain of the Lorain Police Department.

She said her church has its own nonprofit community outreach programs where it provides job development training for residents in the community. She added that her church partners with the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office in a music project that provides the youth in the county with free music education.

Other award winners to be acknowledged during the luncheon are: General Johnnie Wilson Middle School Principal Bryan Hilko as the Education Awardee; Tamika Newsome as the Business Awardee; Jerri Evans as the Nursing Awardee; Guillermino Arriaga and Antoinette Shaw receiving the Community Service Award; and Kyriece Brooks, Tabitha Tower and Judge Charlita AndersonWhite receiving the “On the Move” award.

Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer will be one of the many city officials and previous award winners in attendance to give out awards to recipients, Rogers said.

The type of awards that are given each year can change, she said, adding that the purpose of the club’s annual awards luncheon is to bring awareness of the activists and their accomplishments to the community.

“It’s an accomplishment that we have so many people in the community to celebrate and acknowledge others in the city of Lorain,” Rogers said of how the luncheon has grown over the years.

All are welcome to attend the Founders Day Award Luncheon at Rosewood Place, 4493 Oberlin Ave. in Lorain.