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Annual Toledo Chapter Coalition of Black Trade Unionist
Banquet
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
The 31st annual Black History Banquet was
sponsored by the Toledo Chapter Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists (CBTU) on Saturday, February 29 at the Radisson
Hotel in Toledo.
Cheryl Folsom opened the banquet with a welcoming statement,
then Anita Madison recognized all elected officials and
labor leaders and Micheal Alexander led an invocation before
dinner was served.
“I’m happy to see all my laborer brothers and sisters. We’re
here to share this moment with each of you,” shared Folsom.
The banquet featured keynote speaker David Fleetwood, the
business manager of Laborers’ International Union of North
America Local 500. In addition to his years of labor
service, Fleetwood serves as an auditor to the Ohio Laborers
District Council’s Executive Board, associate pastor at The
Body of Christ Church, and member of the board of directors
on the Toledo-Lucas Port Authority.
CBTU selected three individual honorees and one business
honoree to publicly recognize during the banquet. Pierrette
Talley earned the Trade Unionist Award, Doni Miller earned
the Community Service Award, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur
earned the Political Action Award, and ASSETS Toledo also
received recognition.
“We are blessed to have a dynamic keynote speaker and our
inspirational honorees,” said Folsom.
Talley has served as Ohio AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer,
launched the Ohio Voter Protection Coalition in 2004,
coordinated WE RISE in 2016, led the 2006 Labor take back
Ohio program, and an active member of NAACP and several
labor organizations.
Miller serves as the CEO of Neighborhood Health Association
that operates 14 federally-qualified health clinics,
pharmacies, three dental clinics and two senior centers.
Miller has earned the ATHENA award, the State Democratic
Women’s Caucus Award, the YWCA Milestones award, the African
American Legacy Award, and 2016 NAACP Freedom Fund Award.
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