The stories of African Americans in Akron and Summit County told by local historians, community leaders and history makers.
Join us for a free virtual event to celebrate the history and accomplishments of African Americans in Akron and Summit County.
Panelists and Featured Individuals:
- John Williams, moderator
- Dave Lieberth, Society director emeritus and local historian with a history overview
- Dr. Sylvester Small, first African American superintendent of Akron Public Schools
- Reverend Ronald Fowler, Sr. discussing his work at the Arlington Church of God and a special congregant, Dorothy O. Jackson
- Mike Williams sharing about the life and legacy of his father, The Honorable Judge James R. Williams
- Lester Carney, 1960 200 Meter Olympic Silver Medalist, reliving his monumental experience
- Towanda Mullins, chair of the Sojourner Truth Statue project, alerting the community about this public project.
- Ruby Nash Garnett, Ruby and the Romantics singer famous for topping the Billboard Top 100 (This segment was prerecorded.)
Host site Arlington Church of God is available for individuals to watch the Community Talk Back if they don't have access to a computer or the internet and are interested in watching together with other people. You may attend the program at these locations and John Brown Institute Task Force members will be on site to gather and ask your questions during the program. Akron Public Schools will also be holding an in-house watch party for teachers and administrators.
Arlington Church of God
539 S. Arlington Street
Akron, OH
- The John Brown Institute Task Force is producing this program under the leadership of its chair, GinaKaye Maddox, and Society staff member Reva Golden.
Please sign up to receive the link for free admission on the event date - February 19th. Watch for more details regarding our satellite partners to be announced soon.