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Jack and Jill Inaugural Juneteenth 5K Run/Walk 2014
By Carla Yvette
Society Editor
The Toledo Chapter of Jack
and Jill of America, Incorporated held their Inaugural
Juneteenth 5K Run/Walk 2014, Saturday, June 21 at Swan Creek
Preserve Metro Park. Chairman Arnyka Harris says the idea
for a Juneteenth event came about because in past years, she
had enjoyed attending the Juneteenth celebration at the
Toledo Art Museum before it was discontinued.
Harris says, “A lot of
people have no idea what Juneteenth is all about and I feel
this is a part of history that people, regardless of their
nationality need to know about.” She adds, “As members of
Jack and Jill, it’s important that we know our history, that
we share our history and that we're proud of our history.”
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Jack and Jill President Kelli Winston with runner Andre V.
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In honor of Juneteenth,
Lee Randles, accompanied by Jim Proctor and Clark Morgan of
the Ohio 5th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troop Company C,
briefly shared the history of African Americans in the Civil
War era while demonstrating weapon and marching techniques.
Navarro Gibson, the 1st African American Park Ranger in
Northwest Ohio also addressed the crowd.
Alexis Means, of 13 ABC, served as the event MC/host, and
Candidate for Common Pleas Judge Ian English and Vallie
Bowman-English, Clerk of Court Toledo Municipal Court served
as honorary event co-chairmen and Sania Bauswell sang the
National Anthem.
The Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated
thanked the following community sponsors and supporters:
WTVG 13abc and Alexis Means, The Andersons, Shumaker,
Loop& Kendrick, LLP, Toledo RoadRunners Club, Ohio 5th
Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troop Company C, and event
Honorary Co-Chairs Candidate for Common Pleas Judge Ian
English and Vallie Bowman-English, Clerk of Court/Toledo
Municipal Court
Jack & Jill of America, Inc. was founded on January 24,
1938 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a meeting of 20
mothers under the leadership of Marion Stubbs Thomas with
the idea of bringing together children in a social and
cultural environment.
Lee Randles, Jim Proctor and Clark Morgan of the
Ohio 5th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troop
Company C |
Navarro Gibson 1st African American Park Ranger in
Northwest Ohio |
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Sania Bausell singing the National Anthem |
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