HONOREES On the list

The Marcus Garvey Institute of Awareness and the U.S. Tennis Association/National Junior Tennis League of Warren will honor 16 adult and youth community leaders. A dinner and recognition ceremony will be from 6 to 9 p.m. May 19 at Western Reserve Junior High School. Honorees are:
The Rev. Nolen Brown: Deceased; pastor and founder, The Hoyt Street Church of God in Christ; superintendent, Warren No. 1 District of the Central Jurisdiction of Ohio; came to Ohio around 1945 and began pastorship.James "Doc" Pugh: President, Warren-Trumbull County chapter of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People since 1995; worked at Delphi Packard for 31 years; established RBG Music, Trevaire Fashions, RBG Menswear and Candice Footwear on Palmyra Road; founder and member of black caucus at Delphi Packard; member of Grace AME Church and Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.The Rev. Alton L. Merrell: Pastor/founder of New Jerusalem Fellowship Church; implemented Nu Way summer mentorship program to provide positive role models for children; former elementary school teacher and principal in city schools; faculty member at Youngstown State University in teacher education department. Ronald Simmons: Deceased; served in Army; completed studies in industrial management at General Motors Institute in Flint, Mich.; first black to direct intelligence message center at Fort Monroe, Va.; lectured in churches and schools; member of Triedstone Baptist Church; artist.The Rev. Grady Williams: Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church; worked at U.S. Steel for 17 years; treasurer of the Ohio Baptist Convention; treasurer of Eastern Baptist Association; president of Alliance Community Outreach Program.Joe Williams: Former city council president and 22-year member of council; has worked as a journeyman electrician at General Motors Lordstown; first licensed black electrician in Warren; owned Williams Electric Co.; named to Who's Who Among Black Americans.Clifford Johnson: Former teacher, counselor, coach and principal in area schools; first black foreman on a Trumbull County grand jury; first black high school principal in Warren; first black on Warren City Board of Health; Sunday school teacher; member of various boards and organizations.The Rev. David Howard Sr.: Deceased; one of 11 siblings and father of 11 children; four sons are ordained elders and four daughters are licensed missionaries; organized a number of churches in Mississippi; former pastor emeritus and chief counsel at St. James Church of God in Christ; was superintendent of Warren District No. 2, Church of God in Christ.William Doug Franklin: City council president since 2000, before that serving as a ward and at-large councilman; serves as president of board of directors for Urban Minority Alcohol and Drug Outreach Program; and is a board member for Trumbull County Action Planning.The Rev. Ronald Fowlis: Pastor of Eastside Church of Christ; spearheaded an outreach program for youths; served as chairman of the Congress for Racial Equality; was member of Trumbull County Foster Parent Association; serves on Sunshine Committee for housing rehabilitation programs.Atty. Stanley Elkins: Senior prosecutor with Trumbull County Prosecutor's Office; former assistant law director, city of Warren; serves on boards for Trumbull County Corrections and Warren-Trumbull County Public Library; vice president of Sts. Peter and Paul Home and School Association.The Rev. James Bell Jenkins: Deceased; was elder for 45 years at Liberty Steel Church of God in Christ, which he founded and built in 1954; worked at Republic Steel Corp. for 30 years; former chairman and Sunday school superintendent of District No. 2, Church of God in Christ.Obafemi Brown II: Studying business, Kent State University; member of New Jerusalem Fellowship; works with summer youth tennis program and tutors children.Peter Hornbuckle: Studying athletic training, Hiram College; works with summer youth tennis program; former athlete at Harding High School, where he played football, track and tennis; tutored children at Alden Elementary School. Vanness Provitt: Senior at The Ohio State University, majoring in sociology; 1995 graduate at Harding, where he played baseball, basketball and football; participated in Big Brothers and foster care programs; active in athlete Bible study program at a Columbus Church.Vernita Provitt: Graduate of Shawnee State University with degree in social science; working toward a master's degree at KSU; TCI mental health therapist; mentor for teen-age moms; participates in Big Sister programs; twin to Vanness; 1995 Harding graduate, where she was in National Honor Society, played basketball and was a member of the choir and track team.