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The Heat is On

By Rev. Donald L. Perryman, Ph.D.
The Truth Contributor

Don’t look back. Some(one) might be gaining on you.
                  
- Leroy “Satchel” Paige
 

 

Rev. Donald L. Perryman, D.Min.

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.

  

Copyright © 2019 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 04/18/19 11:00:00 -0400.

 

 


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