The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Elyria NAACP honors youth and dedication
An elegant dinner and inspiring messages highlighted a 60th Annual Elyria Unit NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet Oct. 4 at Lorain County Community College in Elyria.
Ohio State Representative Alicia Reece, D – Cincinnati, the keynote speaker, said seeing who was on a ballot roused her to action as a college student at Grambling State University in Louisiana.
Too many times people rise up angry about an issue, go to meetings, talk about it, go home and sit down, Reece said, when more is needed.
Reece challenged banquet guests to keep working to change problems that upset them. As one of the featured speakers at a 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington last summer, Reece spoke about “No More Temporary Solutions to Permanent Problems,” and called for legislation for statewide voting rights.
For information about an organization Reece recommends, Ohioans For a Voters Bill of Rights, visit www.voter- billofrights.com or call 800611-3371.
Elyria 5th Ward Councilman Marcus Madison introduced Herman Larkins as a mentor who served the City of Elyria in many ways.
“‘There are two important dates in your life,’ ” Madison said. “‘The day you were born; and the day you find out why.’ Mr. Larkins was born to lead.”
Larkins moved justice closer so ordinary people might have a chance for justice, Madison said.
“He taught me to believe in my dreams when I didn’t believe in myself,” Madison said. “He led the way.”
People who won 2014 Community Service Awards included Stacie Starr, Robert K. Jones, Celestino “Cel” Rivera, Brenda Kay Davis, Elder Tommie Harris Jr., and Sydney L. Lancaster.
Diversity Student Awards were presented to Zarria Todd, Indiyah Thomas, and Darrius J. Atley. Student Book Awards were received by William Lampley and Malcolm Thomas. A Non-traditional Scholarship Award was received by Crystal Morgan.