Officials honor Black leaders

Black Excellence is being celebrated in Elyria during February in a new social media campaign.

Ren Flanders, assistant safety service director and chief of staff to Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield, said the campaign is meant to highlight the success of Black Elyrians and inspire community members to achieve their goals.

“We want to celebrate living Black history as it’s happening,” Flanders said. “We want to give flowers while they’re here and not after they’re gone.”

Flanders said she hopes the campaign encourages people to celebrate Black History.

“We can’t repeat the success if we don’t know it’s possible,” she said. “We want to celebrate the people doing the work and break out of the habit of only thanking them and remembering them when they’re gone.”

The event began Feb. 1 to coincide with Black History Month.

The first honoree is Elyria City Councilwoman Donna Mitchell.

Mitchell is the first Black woman ever elected to Elyria City Council.

Voters elected her in 2008.

Mitchell serves as chair of Council’s Utilities Department Committee and vice chair of the Community Development Committee.

To celebrate Mitchell, the Elyria Facebook page has a special post with a biography and picture of her.

Each week on Mondays during February, a member of the community will be recognized, Flanders said.

Each post will have a photograph, graphic and a biography, she said.

The posts won’t be too long, rather, a fun and upbeat tribute to outstanding Black Elyrians, Flanders said.

“We have a short list, but the list is diverse,” she said. “It has men, women, business owners, councilmembers, sports success stories and community leaders.”

Mitchell