Festival to feature boxing show, anti-crime unity rally speakers

Boxing matches will be Friday in memory of a sanitation worker who recently died.

Staff Report

WARREN — This year’s Trumbull County African-American Achiever’s Association Festival starting at noon Friday on Courthouse Square will feature a boxing show at 6 p.m. Friday and a unity rally at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Crime in the city, such as the double homicide that killed 11-year-old Lloyd McCoy Jr. and the arson fire that critically injured a police officer and three women — both in April — along with job losses and home foreclosures in the community are the motivation for the unity rally, said Robert Davis, association president.

“Because of the condition of the city, this is a time when we celebrate our heritage and culture, but we must come together for the betterment of our community,” said Davis, director of the city’s water department.

Many community organizations will be present at the rally to talk about the services they provide, such as the NAACP and Warren-Trumbull County Urban League.

Speakers will talk about crime and safety, restoring family and educational values, job creation, job loss and voter registration.

The organizations also will try to secure grant funds from the government, Davis said, so they can try to offer additional services.

The three-day festival, which is in its 24th year, also will feature a boxing show in memory of Bernard Ricks, an employee of the city’s sanitation department who recently died.

P.C. Torres, who worked alongside Ricks, is organizing the show. It will feature 10 to 12 bouts in a boxing ring to be constructed on High Street.

The boxing and all other events are free. It would be beneficial for those attending the boxing shows and other events to bring their own chairs to the events, Davis said.

Thomas Conley, the Urban League executive director, said the city has gone through difficult times before, including problems with violence, and organizations such as his are prepared to do what it takes to address the problems.

“If we have to work the streets, we’ll walk the streets because we want our community safe,” he said.

The TCAAAA was founded in 1985 by the late Van Williams of Warren.

The Trumbull County African-American Achievers Association festival will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday at Courthouse Square. The following is a list of events:

Friday

Noon: Opening ceremony, ribbon cutting

4 to 5:45 p.m.: Line dance

6 to 8:45 p.m.: Bernard Ricks memorial boxing show

8 to 10 p.m.: Billy Johnson & The Old School Band

Saturday

Noon: Parade

1 to 2 p.m.: Drill team performance

2 to 2:45 p.m.: African dance performance

3 to 3:45 p.m.: Poetry and face painting

4 to 6 p.m.: Talent show with Michelle Watson and Maurice Gore

6:15 to 7:45 p.m.: Fashion show

8 to 10 p.m.: Total Packard Band and Ballroom Steppers

Sunday

2 to 2:30 p.m.: Second Baptist Church Praise Squad

2:30 to 5:30 p.m.: La’Mon Howard and Company present local and out-of-state choirs, soloists, musicians, liturgical dancers, mimes, drama groups, youth presentation and the 2009 TCAAAA Mass Choir.

6 to 8 p.m.: Unity rally led by pastors, local leaders and organizational leaders.

Source: TCAAAA