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The 10th Annual NOAH Banquet
Over 170 participating members and friends of NOAH enjoyed the fellowship, good food and informative program on Saturday, October 22nd at the 10th Annual NOAH Banquet at the McGregor Home Community Room. President Robyn Hales presented the Ally of the Year Award to Dr. Rhonda Williams who is an Associate Professor of History at CWRU and directs CWRU’s Post Doctoral Fellowship in African American Studies. Dr. Williams works closely with NOAH to support its mission and organizing efforts that champion community empowerment, and has facilitated forums and co-sponsored events. Dr. Williams began her sojourn into East Cleveland in 2010 as founding director of the Social Justice Institute at CWRU.
Board Member Mae Harris presented the Rev. Neal Wilds Leadership Award to Hank Smith for his dedicated service to NOAH as an activist in the East Cleveland Community. He has attended week-long leadership training with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative and Hank has used this training and knowledge to organize residents to assert their collective voice to seek justice and equity in their community.
The Keynote Speaker for the evening, State Senator Nina Turner (25th Senate District), was introduced by Gary Norton. Jr., Mayor of the City of East Cleveland. Senator Turner gave an inspiring message and began by describing the chaos all around the world in such places as Iraq, Afghanistan, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. She defined chaos as the re-ordering of things. The re-ordering of things is occurring right now in East Cleveland and NOAH is on the righteous side of chaos. In reflecting on what the Creator asked us to do, she said that God works through people, people like those in NOAH. She cited the 99% protesting against Wall Street; the people affected by the foreclosure crisis; the unemployed and the underemployed; and people not receiving a high quality education. Senator Turner said “Brothers and Sisters we have work to do. We need to motivate our young people to be the very best they can be. Mediocrity is no longer the order of the day.” “So NOAH, your Mission is to uplift our communities and families, never doubting what you are accomplishing. NOAH, continue to make a difference in the lives of people. Don’t let what we can’t do, get in the way of what we can do and don’t let race and ethnicity get in the way of what we do.”
Senator Turner then said “I want you to remember three things.”
- The Creator has given us two arms, one to reach back and one to reach forward.
- We cannot expect others to do more for us, than we are willing to do for ourselves.
- Her Grandmother told her that we just need 3 bones.
- The Wish Bone (hopes and desires)
- The Jaw Bone (to ask questions and get answers about life) and
- The Back Bone (the will to accomplish and achieve).
“NOAH, continue to answer the call of Service, Rebuild, Renew, Revive, Rejoice.”
To conclude the evenings program our Executive Director, Trevelle Harp helped us Look Forward. Trevelle said that we have to be active participants in our own deliverance. He asked residents to get behind us on our abandoned and vacant properties actions. He concluded by inviting everyone to join a Rally, being held at Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian on 3031 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Heights. On Tuesday Oct.25th at 6:00 p.m. The Rally is being sponsored by NOAH, ESOP and We Are Ohio. The Rally is to support a VOTE No on Issue 2, Introduce a Jobs Platform for Ohio that will, Create 70,000 new jobs; Give A Second Chance to Ohioans with criminal records, and Make Wall Street Pay for the economic crisis they created.
Overall it was an inspiring, thoughtful and challenging evening.
Respectfully,
Bob Ault
Board Member
October 24, 2011 |