Saturday, April 26, 2008
YOUNGSTOWN — Antonio Demetrius Ford, Taquaesa Toney, Chelsea Stafford and Thomas Fields are united in their quest to see a deeper layer of unity blanket the community.
So perhaps it was a natural fit to see them take part in Saturday’s fourth annual Unity in the Community Parade, hosted by Warriors Inc., a city enrichment program focused on educating and empowering young people.
The four youngsters are members of nRg (Now Righteous Generation), which formed about a year ago and was an after-school program before branching out to all areas of the city, Antonio said. Members are dedicated to seeing positive changes in the city as well as bringing area youth together.
“I want us all to be one instead of fighting about everything,” Chelsea said, adding that she feels Youngstown continues to be divided by race and religion.
More emphasis needs to shine on the positive contributions of those who attend Youngstown City Schools, Thomas said.
Despite a threat of thunderstorms, sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s greeted the several hundred participants of all ages who marched north from Market Street and Midlothian Boulevard to the HOPE building, 2733 Market St. on the city‘s South Side.
The parade’s main purposes were to encourage unity and highlight area businesses, civic organizations, local and faith-based youth groups and other Youngstown offerings, organizers said.
Read more in Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com