Volume 48, No. 9 “And Ye Shall Know The Truth...” January 31, 2018 Mayoral Inauguration The city’s new chief of staff, Katy Crosby - far right - and her family members Salvation Army In This Issue... Soulcial Scene Page 12 Book Review Fros & Fashions Rogers Hall Lanaya’s 45th In This Issue... Page 13 Perryman Ashford Award Pages 6-7 of Fame Page 16 BlackMarket- Page 2 Page 4 Inauguration Page 9 Alphas’ MLK Place Page 8 Lust for LC Police Tactics Day Page 14 I Dream Opera Life Commissioners Announced Page 16 Classifeds Page 8 Page 10 Page 3 Page 5 Page 15 Page 2 The Sojourner’s Truth January 31, 2018 Water: Full and Complete By Rev. Donald L. Perryman, D.Min. The Truth Contributor Where do we go from here? - Martin Luther King Jr. It happened in Flint, Michigan where thousands of children and pregnant capital projects and optimization of infrastructure investments by collabo- women were exposed to lead poisoning after a series of questionable deci- rating, Toledo residents should benefit disproportionately compared to oth- sions by various government entities caused lead to seep into their drinking ers with the inclusion of the following in the MOU: water. • Water Affordability Plan – while Percentage of Income Payments (PIP) It happened in Detroit, where, in the past 10 years the water rate doubled, and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) have been available for and during the summer of 2014 the city was performing 3,000 water shut- other utilities, this low- income assistance plan has not been available in offs per week with children, elderly or those with a disability accounting the past for water service. Yet water is a human right, a right that Detroit’s for more than 50 percent of those affected; and in 2016, where 83,000 politicized emergency management team evidently did not recognize or homes, more than one in six Detroit households, had their water cut off and respect. The TAWA regional MOU then, by correlating the payment of wa- many children were being raised in unsanitary dwellings without running ter to income and accounting for faulty plumbing and other factors, should water. de-politicize decisions affecting shutoffs, public health and providing ser- It happened in Toledo, when stores sold out, libraries and businesses were vice. closed and 500,000 area residents were without water because of the toxic • Lead Water Lines Replacement – Lead has caused cancer. It has caused algae bloom, leaving us to rely on humanitarian efforts or out of town rela- brain damage and affected our children. Toledo definitely does not want to tives to bring us water to drink, bathe, cook or clean with. become another Flint, Michigan, replacement of all lead service lines is a So, as the City of Toledo and its suburban leaders begin to finalize a must, a process which is spelled out in the regional MOU. regional water agreement (Toledo Area Water Authority), my primary con- • Employer of Choice – The agreement honors relations with organized cern is, pure and simple, the health of a community. And, what are the labor and calls for competitive compensation, training and safety pro- potentially dire consequences for low to moderate-income individuals and grams. people of color who are most likely to suffer at higher rates from a water crisis than those living in our neighboring suburbs. Where Do We Go From Here? According to Eric Rothstein, a consultant working with the Toledo In my review of the latest version (12) of the MOU, I am not aware of Chamber of Commerce, suburban municipalities will more than likely anything which explicitly spells out workforce equity strategies that show leave Toledo’s water system and create their own separate authority with- a commitment to prepare, hire and develop workers of color in the new sys- out the regional water agreement now proposed. If that happens, the city tem. Should the new water system be a true partnership, the new water au- will have to fund an additional $500 million in infrastructure upgrades on thority must implement systemic diversity and inclusion outcomes aimed their own without the revenues they stand to lose by the suburbanites’ exit. at achieving equity within their vision for workforce development. This would be a financial disaster for the city and Toledo’s own water rates For, as Mos Def, the urban hip hop artist/activist, says: are expected to skyrocket as a result. The rich and poor, black and white got need for it (That’s right) And everybody in the world can agree with this (Let em know) What do we Stand to Lose? Consumption promotes health and easiness (That’s right) According to version 12 of the actual TAWA Memorandum of Under- standing, Toledo gives up owning and singularly controlling the water sys- Go too long without it on this earth and you leavin it (Shout it out) tem. However, in return, the city also gives up the burden of financing and Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at drdlperryman@centerofhope- paying for a sizable infrastructure project, possibly with a lowered credit baptist.org rating and therefore carrying an oppressive interest rate. Yet, the city will have two votes and Lucas County one, on a seven-member board that re- quires five votes to pass any major rate or capital changes. Community Calendar The Benefits? February 10 In addition to stable water rates as a result of the low cost financing of Peep Game Comix and The Toledo Public Library are proud to present The Glass City Black Comix Arts Festival (#GCBC), Saturday, February 10, 2018 11 AM to 4 PM, at the Down Town Toledo Library. GCBC cel- ebrates and supports black comic book creators from around the world in The Sojourner’s Truth their effort to tell compelling, uplifting, and fantastic stories. The Festival aims to educate all comic book fans about the amazing work available Toledo’s Truthful African American by Black Comic Artists and spread the word that all audiences deserve Owned and Operated Newspaper representation and to be present as subjects in the comic arts and popular culture. Our expert team of Comic Artists will help kids learn how to: Fletcher Word – Publisher and Editor Draw, create and develop cool characters, and tell a story visually! FREE! OPEN to the Public. Becky McQueen - Business Manager February 15 Tricia Hall – Reporter Black Panther Viewing Party at Rave Cinemas Levis Commons . At 5pm, Rev. D.L. Perryman – Columnist come join in the fun with movie trivia and other games before viewing Megan Davis – Columnist the Marvel film starring Chadwick Boseman, Angela Bassett and Lupita Zahra Aprili – Columnist Nyongo. The viewing party is FREE. (Guests must purchase a movie Robin Reeves – Columnist ticket to participate!) Jennifer Retholtz – Webmaster February 26 Jessica Crans - Layout Natural haircare for African American children workshop will be held at the Holland Branch Library from 6-8pm. This workshop is open to par- A Certified MBE ents, foster/adoptive families and other guardians. Learn the fundamentals The Sojourner’s Truth, 1811 Adams Street, Toledo, OH 43604 of natural haircare, the proper tools, and basic styles to care for your child Phone 419-243-0007 * Fax 419-255-7700 and promote a healthy self image. Workshop is FREE, presented by The [email protected] Kitchen Salon. Registration is available at ToledoLibrary.org January 31, 2018 The Sojourner’s Truth Page 3 Lucas County Commissioners Urges Ohio’s Congressional Delegation to Support Passage of the Dream Act Now Last week, the Lucas County Commissioners lifelong residents who may not even remember County initiative, is part of a growing move- called on Ohio’s Congressional delegation to their countries of origin or speak the language. ment of communities becoming more prosper- protect Dreamers by supporting passage of the We implore the Ohio Congressional delegation ous by helping all residents be able to fully Dream Act now. Dreamers are a generation of to do the right thing and pass the Dream Act.” participate in economic, social, and civic op- nearly 800,000 young adults who came to the “It is with a heavy heart that I know thousands portunities, including immigrants and refugees. United States as children. They have grown up of Ohio’s children would lose their Dreamer One in every eight Americans lives in a com- as Americans, pledging allegiance to our flag, parents and loved ones without the passing of munity in the Welcoming America network. and have worked side by side with all Ameri- the Dream Act,” said Lucas County Commis- About the Welcome Toledo-Lucas Coun- cans to build a more vital nation. Dreamers are sioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak. “The Board of ty (TLC) Initiative: Welcome Toledo-Lucas homeowners, teachers, nurses, scientists, vale- Lucas County Commissioners implore the Ohio County (TLC) is a cross-sector initiative work- dictorians, and members of our armed forces; Congressional delegation to not break families ing to build a welcoming and inclusive com- they are our neighbors. apart and to keep families strong and together. munity for immigrants, refugees, and people of “In Lucas County we make a compact with all Pass the Dream Act.” -more- diverse cultures. Welcome TLC is housed in the of our children that if they work hard we will be If Congress does not pass the Dream Act and Board of Lucas County Commissioners in part- their champion and support them in achieving shield the hundreds of thousands of young peo- nership with Toledo LISC, and is governed by a the American Dream, regardless of their gen- ple who came forward under the Deferred Ac- Steering Committee of community partners.