We may be seeing the
beginnings of a revival of impactful progressive activism
and political reform beginning to break through in Lucas
County.
A fresh group of young
urban progressive Democrats, frustrated by the pace of
social change and energized by their long-repressed desire
to “bring Toledo into the 21st century,” have
exploded onto the local political scene just in time for the
2019 municipal elections.
Although the Lucas County
Democratic Party’s decision to not endorse District
One Councilman Tyrone Riley’s quest for a third term
signaled that the Party had had enough of the bad optics
resulting from Riley’s negative publicity as covered by The
Blade, several young people indicated to me that “we just
need a new wave of leadership, young people to help the city
get more up to date socially, economically and beyond.”
I’ve also been told that
Riley, whose name recognition remains through the roof, is
upset because he feels that he has been a team player and
loyal to both the Lucas County Dems and the community, yet
is confident that he will ultimately survive all political
challenges and emerge with his position and reputation
intact.
However, Riley, though
confident, can’t help but feel the pressure from a number of
young upstarts who sense some vulnerability in the veteran
councilman’s campaign for a third term and within the staid
politics of the local Democratic Party.
Who are these rising stars
of change and progressive politics?
They are:
Shaun Strong,
a central committee member who “absolutely killed it” in his
recent interview with the Party’s screening committee.
Strong’s career was primarily forged in the fire of Larry
Sykes’ most recent city council campaign, where he performed
commendably as Sykes’ campaign manager. He has served in
Democratic Party activities for several years, primarily in
the background. In addition, Strong is very active in the
faith (COGIC) community.
Marsha Hill,
also impressed in her screening interview and is described
as a “firecracker who is afraid of nothing and will knock on
10,000 doors.” Hill is an entrepreneur who operates a
catering business and a nonprofit which fights child obesity
while promoting kid fitness. She has a “PhD in life
experiences,” which she has used to help others fight
addiction, substance abuse and domestic violence. She is a
Scott High School graduate and has worked at Jeep for many
years.
Robert Gabriel III,
has been described as a “person that understands what its
like to be a young black man in the current 21st
century political context.” Gabriel’s campaign has flown
quietly under the radar. He matriculated at West Virginia
University, possesses a master’s degree in criminal justice
from UT and is a recent graduate of the University of Toledo
Law School. The young aspiring attorney is currently focused
on marketing and developing the local entertainment and
restaurant scenes and is looking to take the bar exam soon
in order to establish a law practice. Gabriel is the
grandson of Toledo matriarch Theresa Gabriel and decries the
drain of young black talent and intellect that has been
occurring in Toledo. He challenges new young leaders to
“step up and influence a more progressive mentality” in the
city.
Other progressive names to
watch?
Sheena Barnes,
an energetic young African-American woman who is the
Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate for the Toledo Board
of Education. Barnes is a Toledo Public Schools’ parent,
local activist and a community health worker with the Lucas
County Health Department.
Finally,
Brittany Moore
and Kwinlyn Tyler are indispensable members of the
Northwest Ohio Young Black Dems who are “very much on the
move” having recruited and developed other young leaders.
Their efforts have also helped to spawn other groups such as
the Young Muslim Dems and Latino Young Dems.
Whether status quo
politics will continue in 2019 remains to be seen. What is
certain, though, is that a number of fresh, young,
progressive African American men and women are poised for a
breakthrough.
And, for many long-serving
politicians, this means that “the heat is on.”
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
Author's Note: The article titled Race for 2019: First Take has
been changed. A previous version mistakenly stated that June
Boyd had screened for the Lucas Democratic Party's
endorsement for Toledo City Council. In fact, June Boyd has
not screened nor asked for the endorsement from the Lucas
County Democratic Party. We apologize. |