13th Annual African
American Prayer Breakfast
By Mariah Hicks
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
In
preparation for the African American Festival, the Toledo
Urban Federal Credit Union held its 13th Annual African
American Prayer Breakfast on Friday, July 14, at Warren AME
Church.
Attendees
gathered together to pray and launch off the beginning of
the African American Parade, which took place the following
morning.
First
Lady Debra Brock of Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church
initiated the ceremony with a song of worship. Brock was
followed by Pastor Otis Gordon of Warren AME Church, who
offered the opening prayer. Fletcher Word, the board
president of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union,
proceeded to the welcoming, Pastor Jerry Boose of Second
Baptist Church prayed over the city and leaders and Elder
Lisa Key of Peoples Baptist Church prayed over the churches.
CEO of
the TUFCU Suzette Cowell then came up to give honor to the
credit union, its staff and to present this year's seven
honorees: Amirah L. Gibson, Zenaje P. Liggons, Kristin
Conley, Albert Earl, Jr., Nadine Jessup, George E. Snelling
III, and Reverend James H. Willis, Sr.
First
Lady Debra Brock returned to uplift the crowd with another
song of worship, followed by prayer for the TUFCU by Bishop
Randall Parker III of Canaan Manifested Word Church, prayer
for the youth by Pastor Willie Perryman of Jerusalem
Missionary Baptist Church and prayer for the festival by
Boose.
Boose
also gave a statement of thanks to Cowell and the members of
the TUFCU board for the work that they’ve done over the
years. “I want to thank Suzette for bringing pride back into
the black community. I also want to extend a thanks to her
staff,” Boose said, “You have put something in our community
that we can truly be proud of.” |
Debra
Brock
Honorees Zenaje Liggons and Amirah Gibson (front row)_
George Snelling, III, Rev. James Willis, Kristin Conley,
Nadine Jessup and Albert Earl
Suzette
Cowell |
In
conclusion, attendees stood for the singing of the Negro
National Anthem and Bishop M.C. McGhee of Serenity Church of
God in Christ offered up a closing prayer. Breakfast was
then served and attendees fellowshipped amongst one another.
The
African American Festival will take place on August 20 in
partnership with the Northwest Ohio Rib Off. The TUFCU is
looking forward to celebrating the event this year, noted
Cowell, and would love for as many people to come out to
support and have a good time.
|