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Volume 42, No. 8 “And Ye Shall Know The Truth...” January 11, 2017 Aurora House Project NANBPWC Members Present Holiday Gifts to Aurora House Education Section In This Issue... In Memoriam Classifieds Northwest State Ava DuVernay JT Wiiliamson Page 15 Perryman Sykes on Community at Lourdes Page 12 Cover Story: Page 2 MLK and College Page 9 Christ Page 6 Book NANBPWC Children Page 4 Mid Year School Review and Aurora College Services Foster Challenges Page 13 House Scholarships Care and State MLK Page 10 Page 16 Adoption Awards Page 7 BlackMarket- Place Training Page 5 Toledo Ballet Zoo Events Page 3 Page 8 Page 11 Page 14 Page 2 The Sojourner’s Truth January 11, 2017 Who’s On First? By Rev. Donald L. Perryman, D.Min. The Truth Contributor If it wasn’t for baseball, I’d be in either the penitentiary or the cemetery. - Babe Ruth “They must not like each other,” whispered Wanda Butts, daughter of storied former little league baseball coach John Butts, who piloted Toledo’s young, all black Lincoln School Tigers in the late 1950s and early 60s. Toledo City Council Recreation Committee Chairman Cecelia Adams, PhD, was being bombarded with one verbal brush-back pitch after an- other, apparently designed to intimidate and send a clear message. In an age of rising youth violence and absence of participation in positive summer recreational activities, Adams was advocating for the City’s participation in a Little League sanctioned Tee-Ball program for the central city. The program would replace a pipeline to prison or gang membership with teamwork, skills development and a conduit for high- er levels of youth baseball. Adams assured the committee that there would be no financial costs to the City and asked only that it serve as a repository for registration fees and donations. Jackie Robinson Little League Team of Chicago However, instead of support, Adams received only shade and steeled resistance as one by one, committee members ganged up to pummel her as I explained to you, but you said you didn’t write the article, which I with political “chin music.” already was intelligent enough to know that,” Gabriel chastened. Council President Steven Steel wondered aloud if there would be While little leagues currently exist in the Trilby area of west Toledo, enough interest and community participation. Councilwoman Yvonne the Shoreland area of Point Place, in the Heatherdowns neighborhood Harper worried whether her constituents would “misconstrue” that some of South Toledo and on the East Side at the East Toledo Family Center, of the recently passed 0.75 percent income tax levy receipts would be it appears that for the time being, then, there will be no little league or applied to tee-ball. Councilman Larry Sykes complained about not get- tee-ball in the central city. ting the informational packets in time to adequately prepare and wheth- A Dropped Ball Error, an Attempted Stolen Base or Who Gets the er it was proper to place the issue on the agenda of a budget hearing. Credit? Why such vigorous pushback on the topic of bringing back kid base- Ohio State Senator and Minority Whip Edna Brown initially presented ball, once embraced by the black community because of its styles for the issue, obtained bylaws and assembled pertinent information, coun- the game and ability to direct black youth away from negative neigh- cil members say privately. When Brown could not attend an organiza- borhood activities? tional meeting because of legislative priorities in Columbus, meetings A Foul Ball? were changed from the Police Athletic League on Manhattan Boulevard Perhaps Councilwoman Theresa Gabriel, who is not on the commit- to the 21st floor City Council offices and Brown was not notified, they tee but attended the hearing, provides the best clue to the source of the add. acrimony. “…I cannot see supporting an ordinance in the fashion it Adams, in the view of other council members, then, has since been was presented….I was told that everything was referred to a committee making unilateral decisions rather than seeking consensus. Various hearing, and you [Adams] chose, as chair, to merge this meeting on tee- council members view this Adams’ perceived “solo efforts” to get the ball, little league, whichever one you choose to call it, because I hear a lot of ‘I, I, I’s’ and I have a problem about ‘I’s.’ I like to hear ‘we’ and in ... continued on page 3 the paper [Blade] yesterday it said council was moving forward. Well, Community Calendar The Sojourner’s Truth Toledo’s Truthful African American January 12 Discover TPS Night: 5 tp 7:30 pm at each TPS high school: Meet Owned and Operated Newspaper students, staff and counselors – tour the school, hands on demon- strations, musical performance, raffles and games; Bowsher, Scott, Fletcher Word – Publisher and Editor Woodward, Start, Rogers, Waite, TTA and Jones Leadership Acad- emy Becky McQueen - Business Manager January 13-15 Tricia Hall – Reporter Prayer Revival “Revive Us Again:” Family of Faith Church: Friday Rev. D.L. Perryman – Columnist at 7, Saturday at 6, Sunday morning at 11; Guest speaker Pastor Ter- Megan Davis – Columnist rence Moore of Detroit: 586-260-5951 Zahra Aprili – Columnist Robin Reeves – Columnist January 16 MLK Unity Day: 9 to 11 am; UT Savage Hal; Guest Speaker ESPN’s Jennifer Retholtz – Webmaster Jemele Hill: 419-245-1565 Jessica Crans - Layout January 28 A Certified MBE 2017 Annual Gospel Extravaganza: “I Will Change the World;” Open The Sojourner’s Truth, 1811 Adams Street, Toledo, OH 43604 to all youth artists; Vendors 3-4 pm; Music at 4; Warren AME: 419- Phone 419-243-0007 * Fax 419-255-7700 450-0165 or 419-381-1558 or [email protected] [email protected] Toledo Excel 33rd Annual Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth; www.thetruthtoledo.com 8:30 am to 1 pm January 11, 2017 The Sojourner’s Truth Page 3 New Year, New Format for Foster Care and Adoption Training New format helps prospective caregivers complete pre-service training in two three-day week- ends! Special to The Truth Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is quickly, even if it meant attending classes • Can own or rent a home with at least two responding to requests for more flexible fos- through the weekend, so we’re glad to offer bedrooms; that home must pass a safety in- ter care and adoption training by offering a that opportunity,” explains Yvette Muham- spection new and unique configuration of classes in mad, LCCS supervisor of licensing, training • Can work outside the home January 2017, in addition to its traditional and recruitment. • Must demonstrate a source of income suf- schedule of Saturday training classes starting Information and registration for either ses- ficient to care for yourself in February. sion is available by calling • Agree to a background check The new schedule of classes takes place on 419-213-3336 or visiting. Additional train- • Receive free training two consecutive three-day ing sessions are planned for • Receive financial support, based on your weekends: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evenings, April 3 child(ren)’s needs January 13, 14 and 15, and through May 10, and as a one-week January 20, 21 and 22. LCCS then offers its program, June 19 through 24. About Lucas County Children Services traditional six-week series Qualifying to be a foster or adoptive parent The mission of Lucas County Children Ser- of Saturday-only classes, February 4 through is easier than you think. vices is to lead the community in the protec- March 11. You... tion of children at risk of abuse and neglect. All classes take place from 9 a.m. until 4 • Must be at least 18 years of age to adopt; This is accomplished by working with fami- p.m. at the agency’s offices at 705 Adams 21 to become a foster parent lies, service providers and community mem- Street in downtown Toledo. • Can be married, single or in a relationship; bers to assess risk and coordinate communi- “Interested applicants told us they were all adults in the household must attend train- ty-based services resulting in safe, stable and looking to complete the training process more ing permanent families for children. Perryman... continued from page 2 bers running for re-election in 2017. be that an independent nonprofit should drive Extra Innings? the effort without City of Toledo involvement. tee-ball legislation on the City’s agenda as an What can be done to get central city tee-ball The City does not have the desire, the staff, unacknowledged mistake. back in the game? the finances and, “everything they touch turns Adams, however, disputes this. “I was con- Councilwoman Sandy Spang’s understated to crap,” according to a person familiar with tacted by a man [Willie Copeland] who is very questions perhaps provide the best way for- the program. ill and his wife is gravely ill,” she states. “This ward to a reasonable conclusion of the con- As for me, my conclusion is “Who’s on first, is a broad-based community partnership with a test. What is on second, and I Don’t Know is on board and the idea was to have a council mem- “Is it required that there be a city sponsor- third.” What we now need, is just someone to ber from each district to serve on the board. I ship to begin a league,” she asked the Little step up to the plate. have met several times to discuss the legisla- League representative? To Department of Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at tion with my peers.