Ohio Nonviolence Week in the Mahoning Valley is set for Oct. 1-7. The annual observance kicks off with a Youngstown parade and rally, and includes readings, panel discussions, an awards ceremony, and special guests from the national civil rights movement.
John York and Denise DeBartolo York are title sponsors for Ohio Nonviolence Week in the Mahoning Valley, and Roberta Hannay provided significant support. Sponsors include the Thomases Family Endowment, Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley, Premier Bank, JAC Live, YWCA Mahoning Valley, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, Flambeau’s Live, Youngstown City Councilwoman Anita Davis, Hopewell Theatre, and Poets Against Racism and Hate.
Events include:
13th annual Nonviolence Parade and Rally. Wood Street at Wick Avenue, downtown Youngstown 44503. The parade will include walkers, cars, trucks, and floats. It starts at the intersection of Wood Street and Wick Avenue and will proceed through downtown to a rally at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. To register for the parade, visit here. 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 1.
Five Day Nonviolence Reading Challenge. The challenge features readings, followed by a panel discussion/lunch later in the week. Sponsored by YWCA Mahoning Valley. Readings: Sunday, Oct. 1-Thursday, Oct. 5. Panel discussion/luncheon: noon, Friday, Oct. 6 at YWCA Mahoning Valley. To register, visit here. Free.
Mingle with Minnijean Brown Trickey, one of the Little Rock Nine. Flambeau’s Live, 2308 Market St.,Youngstown. Flambeau’s Live and Youngstown City Councilwoman Anita Davis are sponsors. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased here. 5-9 p.m., Monday, Oct. 2. $25.
Reception and Award Ceremony: The Simeon Booker Award for Courage. Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., Youngstown 44503. This event memorializes the 60th anniversary of the bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. where four young Black girls were killed in 1963. Social justice activist and speaker Sarah Collins Rudolph, the fifth girl who survived the bombing, will be the featured guest. In addition, Minnijean Brown Trickey, one of the Little Rock Nine, will speak. The national Simeon Booker Award for Courage honoree will be Collins Rudolph. The local honoree will be Sister Ann McManamon, who opened the Dorothy Day House in Youngstown. A reception ($40) occurs prior to the award ceremony. For reception tickets, go to www.ohiononviolenceweek.org…. The award ceremony is free. 5:30 p.m. (reception), 7 p.m. (award ceremony). 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Speak Your Peace: Spoken Word. Hopewell Theatre, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown 44502. This spoken-word program is open to the public. Sponsored by the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Hopewell Theatre, and Poets Against Racism and Hate. 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4. Free.
Reception for Art and Poetry Contest Winners. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave, Youngstown 44503. 330-744-8636. 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5. Free.
Panel Discussion on the Five-Day Read. YWCA Mahoning Valley, 25 W. Rayen Ave., Youngstown 44503. 330-746-6361. Light lunch will be provided. Register at www.ohiononviolenceweek.org… or the YWCA. Sponsored by YWCA Mahoning Valley. Noon-1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6. Free.
Chalk over Hate. Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown 44504. Features a special art session entitled “The Art of Emotion” for ages 6-13. Lunch will be provided. Sponsored by the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. For reservations, contact Nic Bush at nb***@je**************.org. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13. Free.
Nonviolence Week has been observed in Youngstown since 2010 when, at the request of Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past students, Nonviolence Week resolutions were passed by the Youngstown City Council, the Youngstown City School Board, Youngstown State University trustees, and Mahoning County commissioners. The first nonviolence parade and rally occurred in 2011 and was the idea of Sojourn student Janae Ward. Ohio Sen. Joe Schiavoni introduced the “Nonviolence Week in Ohio” bill, which was passed by both houses of the General Assembly and signed into law by Ohio Gov. John Kasich in 2013.
For more information, contact Penny Wells, Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past executive director, at 330-207-4467 or email pe*********@sb*******.net.
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