|
Toledo Chapter of CBTU Hosted 26th Annual Banquet
By Artisha S. Lawson
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
Union members and leaders, community residents and elected
officials gathered for the annual Black History Banquet
sponsored by Toledo Chapter of Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists on Saturday, March 1, 2014 with the theme,
“Strengthening Our Ties Through Unity.”
Sharon Roach of UAW Local 14 served as mistress of
ceremonies; UAW retiree Janice Fryar presented a formal
welcome and official greetings followed from City of
Toledo’s George Sarantou and TPS Superintendent Romulus
Durant, EdD.
Durant shared his personal connect to labor unions. “My
father was a factory worker. I know firsthand the importance
of earning the right to receive overtime pay because we
witness a different quality of life,” said Durant.
|
.jpg)
Toledo CBTU officers, keynote speaker Edna Brown and banquet
honorees
.jpg)
Honorees Philip Boles, WilliAnn Moore, and George Sarantou
|
|
Ohio Senate Minority Whip Edna Brown was the keynote
speaker. She is a Toledo native, and served on Toledo City
Council for six years. She has received honors from: Toledo
Board of Community Relations, Toledo YWCA Milestone Award,
WILL/WAND Pacesetter Award, Children’s Defense Fund of Ohio
Legislative Children’s Champion Award, and Action Ohio
Legislative Leadership Award.
The 2014 banquet honorees: City of Toledo Director of
Finance George Sarantou received the Political Achievement
Award, WilliAnn Moore received the Community Activist Award,
Bethany House received the Community Action Award and Philip
Boles received the Trade Unionism Award.
“It feels wonderful to receive this honor after 33 years of
working in the unions. I am honored. I thank CBTU members,
CBTU Toledo’s president Cenia Willis, UAW 14, and General
Motors,” said honoree Philip Boles.
The CBTU awarded two $500.00 scholarships to John Birchfield
III and Sanya Sharper. The CBTU paid tribute to musician
Jesse Coleman, with music provided by Jamie Coleman and the
JAMM Band.
“I would like to thank all labor unions and supports of CBTU.
This is special for another reason, this time last year we
had Jessie Coleman,” said Cerssandra McPherson, event
co-chairman. “He has played for many years at the CBTU
banquet, and now his brother Jamie Coleman and his band
continue on. I appreciate the JAMM Band, and my co-chair
Cheryl Tyler-Folsom who has worked with me this year.
Special thank you to my union, Toledo Federation of
Teachers, and Toledo Federation of Teachers President Kevin
Dalton for their annual support.
CBTU dates back to 1972 when over 1,200 black union
officials and members organized a conference in Chicago.
Toledo Chapter’s officers: Cenia Willis, chapter chairman;
Michael Alexander, vice chairman; Pierretta Talley,
secretary; Henry McCoy, treasurer; Cheryl Tyler-Folsom,
sergeant at arms.
The banquet committee: Tyler-Folson and McPherson,
co-chairmen; Michael Alexander, Phil Boles, John Folsom,
Gary Johnson, Henry McCoy, Jim Snodgrass, Sr and Cenia
Willis, committee members. |
.jpg)
.jpg)