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Lucas County commissioners honor four local leaders for Black History Month
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Summary
At their Feb. 10 meeting, the Lucas County Board of Commissioners issued proclamations honoring four Toledo-area leaders for decades of youth and community work, including a musical opening and testimonials from recipients.
The Lucas County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 used its meeting to recognize local leaders for Black History Month, issuing proclamations for Bishop Randall Parker III, Warren and Yolanda Woodbury, Dennis Hopkins and Alicia Smith.
The session opened with a musical rendition of "A Change Is Gonna Come," followed by proclamations read by the chair and brief remarks from recipients and program participants. "It's been a long time coming, but I know a change gonna come," performer Marsha Bowen Jones sang during the ceremony.
Bishop Randall Parker III accepted a proclamation noting his roles as a spiritual leader and educator and his work with literacy and mentorship programs. "I do the work because I love to serve," Parker said, thanking the commissioners for the recognition.
Warren and Yolanda Woodbury were honored for founding and leading a chess-and-arts youth initiative that partners with Toledo Public Schools. Student participants described chess as teaching patience, critical thinking and confidence; presenters noted participation by multiple district schools and said the program placed highly in a United States Chess Federation event.
Dennis Hopkins, recognized for a long career in athletics and youth coaching, thanked former coaches and the community for supporting his decision to remain in Toledo to give back to young people.
Alicia Smith, co-founder and executive director of the Junction Coalition, was recognized for community organizing and environmental justice work dating to the 2014 Toledo water crisis. Smith told the commissioners Junction has worked with more than 700 youth in the area and reported a 95.6% success rate in the program's measures, and that the organization lost two participants to death. "We will do a lot together in Toledo," Smith said, recounting Junction's partnerships with schools, churches and public agencies during the 2014 crisis.
The commissioners paused for photographs with honorees and noted additional Black History Month events scheduled the following week.
