Commissioners join City of Toledo, community leaders for Pan-African flag-raising ceremony in honor of Black History Month
The Board of Lucas County Commissioners joined the City of Toledo, the Community Solidarity Response Network of Toledo (CSRN), and the NAACP Toledo Chapter to raise the Pan-African flag at One Government Center on Tuesday to commemorate Black History Month in Lucas County.
Commissioners Lisa A. Sobecki, Pete Gerken, and Anita Lopez spoke at a press conference before the flag-raising itself alongside Toledo City Councilwoman Dr. Brittany Jones, Brother Washington Muhammad of CSRN, NAACP Toledo Chapter President Darlene Sweeney-Newbern, and Olivia Holden, Executive Director of ASSETS Toledo, to highlight the significance of the Pan-African flag and detail the importance of celebrating Black History Month in Lucas County. Jodie Summers and Ron Wells, Jr. performed spoken word.
“Lucas County has a rich history of African Americans who have made positive contributions to every sector of our community,” Commissioner Sobecki said. “It’s important that we take time to reflect on those contributions, celebrate our diversity, and understand the role of Black history in making our County a great place to live, work, play, and retire.”
“Black History Month is a time to revere, reflect, and honor the trailblazers who paved the way for African Americans and our impact on a global scale. Through the ancestors’ strength, resilience, and vision, we are leading and innovating in every sector — government, business, education, and beyond,” Councilwoman Jones said. “While we celebrate their contributions, it is our duty to continue their legacy by recognizing our power in shaping the future, creating opportunities, and breaking barriers for those who will come after us.”
The theme of Black History Month for 2025 is “African Americans and Labor.” As part of this theme, the Commissioners invited labor leaders to Tuesday’s Boad of Lucas County Commissioners meeting after the flag-raising to hear about the impactful contributions African Americans made to the labor movement.
“Black history is American history,” Commissioner Gerken said. “It is undeniable that we wouldn’t be who we are as a country and as a County if not for the significant contributions of Black Americans, who fought through incalculable adversity. We’re proud as a Board to honor those contributions, and we encourage everyone to proudly celebrate Black History Month.”
The Black History Month program at Tuesday’s Commissioners’ meeting began with Dr. Tracee Perryman singing the Black National Anthem. The Board then heard remarks from:
• Brother Washington Muhammad with the Community Solidarity Response Network of Toledo on the history of the Pan-African flag;
• Darlene Sweeney-Newbern on her new leadership role as president of the NAACP Toledo Chapter;
• Andre Washington with the A. Philip Randolph Institute on Black history and the labor movement;
• David Fleetwood with Laborers Local 500 and the Greater Northwest Ohio AFL-CIO on Black history and the labor movement; and
• Andre Wright on the intersection of Black history and jazz.
“We are blessed to live in a County with people from all kinds of different backgrounds, histories, and origins,” Commissioner Lopez said. “All throughout February, it is important that we honor the African American community that has done so much for Lucas County, celebrate the many positive contributions that continue today, and reaffirm our commitment to uplifting all of our residents toward equality and prosperity.”
The Commissioners will have more Black History Month celebrations throughout the month of February, including an induction of Bishop Robert Alan Culp to the County’s Wall of Friends on Tuesday, February 11 at 11 a.m.
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