Tuesday, February 24, 2004
This is the association's 19th annual event.
WARREN -- Seven adults and two students will be honored next week for the positive impact they've had on the community.
The Trumbull African American Achievers Association will induct the nine at a dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at DiVieste's Banquet Hall, 754 North River Road.
The cost is $10 for children and $25 for adults.
This is the 19th year for the induction.
State Rep. Sylvester Patton of Youngstown, D-60th, is the keynote speaker. Call (330) 399-6525 for tickets or more information.
The goal
The event is to recognize black men and women who have a positive impact on the community in leadership, community service, development, entrepreneurship, family development, education, religious-outreach programs and artistic talent.
This year's recipients:
UAaron "Chunky" Brown of Florida, a Western Reserve High School graduate where he was named Ohio High School UPI Lineman of the Year in 1973. He played middle guard at Ohio State University and played professionally for the NFL's New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
URev. David Leon Herron Sr., founder and pastor of Monument of Faith Church of God in Christ and CEO of the Community Family Outreach Complex of Warren. The church began conducting services in 1989. Rev. Mr. Herron also has been executive board member for the NAACP and the Trumbull County Rainbow Coalition. He and his wife, the former Brenda Jean Walters, have three children.
UMorris Lewis Hill Sr. of Warren works as an investigator for the public defenders' office in Trumbull County. He is retired from the city police department. He is the father of six children, a member of St. John's Church of God in Christ and a former Police Olympics weightlifting champion.
UWillie Joe Jackson of Warren is a retired city policeman. He formerly worked at Brainerd Steel and Republic Steel Corp. He is a member of Grace AME Church, King Solomon Lodge No. 87 Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons and many other organizations.
UJuanita Louise Fortuna Martin started her teaching career in 1973 at Horace Mann Elementary School in the same room she still teaches students. She is mother of five children, two of whom are teachers in the city school system. She has bachelor's and master's degrees.
UDavid Lee Morgan Jr. of Akron has been a sports writer for the Akron Beacon Journal since 1995. A Warren native, Morgan also worked at the Tribune-Chronicle, The Vindicator and Channel 33 Eyewitness News. He has won several awards for his coverage of high school sports, including the James A. Sutherland Award given to the top rookie reporter in Northeast Ohio. He also is the author of a book on the life of rookie basketball player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
UJames A. "Doc" Pugh of Warren, is a city councilman, businessman and former president of the NAACP. He retired in 1999 after more than 30 years service as a tool and die maker at Delphi Packard Electric Systems.
UIndia Carson, a Warren G. Harding senior, is in the top 10 percent of her class, where she maintains an A average and is senior class president. She has been a varsity player on the Lady Raiders basketball team for two years. She is a member of National Honor Society and listed in "Who's Who Among High School Students." She was chosen to be on the 2003-04 Harding Homecoming Court. She plans to major in pre-law psychology and communications at Kent State University.
UTodd Leverette, a Harding senior, has received numerous recognitions for his community service, leadership and academic accomplishments. He is an active member of student government, debate team, Key Club, National Honor Society and the track team. He also is a graduate of Youth Leadership Mahoning Valley, attended Buckeye Boys State and, as a sophomore, traveled to Australia and New Zealand as a student ambassador. He plans a career in business or engineering. He is the son of Paul and Sandra Leverette.