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Weldon Douthitt: Lucas County Commissioners Honor A Toledo
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By Fletcher Word
Sojourner’s Truth Editor
Describing the honoree as
“a personal friend of all of us,” former State Rep. Michael
Ashford had the final say during a Lucas County
Commissioners’ Black History Month celebration. On February
18, 2020, the Commissioners honored the 86-year-old Weldon
Douthitt for his contributions to the community in a number
of different areas – social services, politics, community
organizing and a lifelong commitment to helping others.
Douthitt, who has spent
decades with the Economic Opportunity Planning Association (EOPA),
now Pathway, working with housing issues in underserved
neighborhoods as project director for the agency’s Home
Rehabilitation department, was just recently in a home that
needed work done.
“Last week, imagine this
86-year-old man in a 70 year-old senior’s basement, dealing
with frozen pipes,” said Ashford of Douthitt’s continuing
involvement with improving housing problems.
Douthitt arrived in Toledo
in 1954, noted Commissioner Pete Gerken as he kicked off the
tributes to his long-time acquaintance. “He came here in
1954 and was a skilled-trades mentor with EOPA/Pathway since
[that agency’s] inception. He left a mark on a community, on
people and on housing stock. He is an iconic figure in the
African-American community.”
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Helen Cooks, PhD, Judge Jack Puffenberger, Weldon Douthitt,
Ruth Ashford, Michael Ashford, Mike Craig
LC Commissioners Gary Byers and
Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Asst County Administrator Jessica
Ford, Weldon Douthitt, LC Commissioner Pete Gerken |
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For many Toledoans,
especially those who follow local politics, Douthitt’s name
will be forever entwined with that of his long-time best
friend – former Mayor Jack Ford. For years, Ford was the
very public face of local politics – elected, first, to City
Council, then to the Ohio General Assembly, mayor, Toledo
Board of Education and, again, to City Council. For just as
many years, Douthitt provided the backing and support for
the Ford campaigns – making the tactical decisions and doing
the leg work to get the candidate elected.
Ashford spoke of the
threesome he formed with the Ford-Douthitt duo after he
entered politics. “In that threesome, Jack wasn’t in charge;
and I wasn’t in charge. Weldon was in charge and told us
each and every day what we needed to do.”
Jessica Ford, the Lucas
County deputy administrator and Jack Ford’s daughter, has
known Douthitt all of her life … as a member of the family,
more than just her father’s advisor and friend.
“Weldon is the true
definition of grass roots,” said Jessica Ford on Tuesday.
“His community organizing during the Civil Rights movement –
is a legacy no one will be able to replace. Without Weldon,
you don’t have Jack. Weldon spent hours doing whatever was
necessary and he understood how important it was to have
folks at the table.”
“Weldon gives because it‘s
the right thing to do,” said Ashford introducing his friend.
Douthitt spoke of the
honor and pleasure he has had over the years connecting with
such a large variety of people in the community – the
friendships he has formed and the appreciation he has had
for friends and family.
Politics, social action,
community organizing, mentoring younger generations –
Douthitt has accomplished a lot and given a lot and he has
no plans to ease up yet.
“The good Lord willing, I
will be 87 years old in March,” he noted as he described how
much everyone close to him in his life – family and friends
– have meant to him.
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