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Mt. Nebo Honors
Community Leaders
By Brittany Jones
Sojourner Truth Reporter
Community leaders have a responsibility of being
that role model and a representative of their city. Although
it takes hard work, at in the end, the positive influence is
recognized and rewarded. Toledo is no different.
For an evening, the city’s leaders had their time to shine
and be commemorated for their efforts to make a difference.
On March 6, 2010, in the ballroom of the Ramada
Hotel and Conference Center, Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist
Church hosted the “Spirit-Lifters Bridging the Gap” Awards
Program. It is a post-black history celebration named
“Stepping out in Faith.” This is the sixth year for the
event.
It was an evening during which the “cross-section of the
who’s who in the great city of Toledo” gathered to be
honored, as quoted by the toastmaster of the ceremony.
Selected by a committee, this year’s 10
“spirit-lifters” were commemorated for their efforts of
reaching out and bringing the community together. Pastor
Cedric Brock stated that these people come from every area
of life, but they still have that same positive effect.
“They are awesome people that have the ability
to uplift any person,” Brock said. “They have bought people
together because of it. They are connectors of the city.”
The honorees included William Alexander (Order
of Elks of the World), Councilwoman Wilma Brown, Kimberly
Caldwell (assistant principal of Libbey High School) and
Jimmy Gaines (executive director of ONYX). The rest were
Alan Konop (attorney), Bishop M.C. McGee (Serenity Church),
WilliAnn Moore (president of NAACP Toledo Chapter and ONYX),
Derrick Roberts (chairman of National Convention of Gospel
Choir and Choruses), Deacon Raymond Wood and Kim Williams.
The task of toastmaster for the event fell to
Larry Jones of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Beginning with a prayer, offered by Brother
Raymond Phoenix from the Improved Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks of the World, the program opened for the
night.
After a buffet-styled dinner, Debra Brock, First
lady of Mt. Nebo, extended a round of welcomes to the guests
and honorees. A moment after, the room filled with the
musical rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer or “Our Father,”
performed by Princess from Serenity Church of God in Christ.
She performed in place of Nate Gurley of Indiana
Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.
Greeting followed from various representatives
of Dale-Riggs Funeral Home, the Elks and the Commissioner’s
Office. Commissioner Ben Konop, the son of honoree Anthony
Konops, joked of it being his time to acquire this award
since his father and mother are both recipients
“This is my fourth dinner,” he stated, “my
mother has one and now my father, so I guess it is my time
now.”
The assistant superintendent of elementary
education of Toledo Public Schools, Diane Erving, spoke of
how the community should continue to uplift the children and
make Toledo a better place for them to prosper.
“Continue to lift the spirit of all the
citizens,” she said. “We can make a difference for the next
generation.”
Carla Hodge, director of Dale-Riggs and Donald
Wilson, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks of the World, gave
their compliments to the guests and the recipients.
To go along with the night’s dedication and
theme, “Bridging the Gap,” Annette McClair of Mount Nebo
presented an original tribute poem.
Debra Brock continued the creative atmosphere
with her special gospel solo, “Oh, How I Love Jesus.” She
had the audience participate.
Besides the typical “speech and award
presentation” method, Jones added a twist by “electing” a
person for each of the nominees to comment on what makes
them [honorees] special. Most were spouses, long-time
friends and parents.
Ray Wood, deacon of Southern Missionary Baptist
Church and President of UAW Local 14, commented on ‘always
seeing the glass half full’ and being a positive leader.
“We support the community that we live in,” he
said. “God has blessed us so we have no reason to be
discouraged. It could be worse.”
Pastor Brock and the Board of Directors (Larry
Jones, Sheryl Riggs and Willie Mae Brown) handed out the
plaques after reading the inscription aloud.
Concluding the program were comments and thanks
from Pastor Brock and guests. There was also a brief history
about the Elks from the Grand Treasurer.
Councilwoman Wilma Brown, chosen to be a
representative for the honorees, gave appreciation for the
guests.
“It is important that we go out and do something
for someone else,” she said.
Mount Nebo opened in 1930. It began when a group
of soldiers met in the home of Brother and Sister Charles
Johnson and soon expanded to its first location on the 500
block of Nebraska Avenue.
The mission of Mount Nebo is “to bring people to
Jesus and membership in his family, develop them to
Christlike maturity and equip them for their ministry in the
church and life mission in the world, in order to magnify
God’s name.”
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