Mayor Andrew J. Ginther Announces 2019 Inductees into the Columbus Hall of Fame
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced today that he will induct
the late Reverend Dr. Charles E. Booth, the late Helen Jenkins Davis, Donna A. James,
and Jim Lorimer into the Columbus Hall of Fame. The Columbus Hall of Fame
honors outstanding individuals who, through exemplary accomplishments, have
gained recognition for themselves and have brought credit to this city.
The Reverend Dr. Charles E. Booth was a religious leader,
civil activist, and former Senior Pastor at Mount Olivet Baptist Church. As
founder of Gloria S. Friend Christian Academy, he was dedicated to the
education of young people. Reverend Dr. Charles E. Booth was committed to local
and global communities around the issues of unemployment, homelessness, and
health.
Helen Jenkins Davis served the City of Columbus as one of its
first African American teachers. She was first hired into the district in 1918,
and in 1976 she led the charge for desegregation of Columbus City Schools. The
Helen Jenkins Davis Lunch Bunch was founded in her honor, awarding scholarships
to Columbus City Schools students each year.
Donna A. James, the managing director of Lardon &
Associates, LLC, advocates for all Columbus residents through her leadership
roles in Columbus-based and nationally recognized organizations. Donna A. James
was appointed by former President Barack Obama as Chairwoman of the National
Women’s Business Council. Previously, she served as Co-Chair for the Columbus
CelebrateOne initiative, Co-Chair of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, and Chairwoman
of the YWCA Columbus. Currently, she serves as the founder and former board
chair of the Center for Healthy Families and Co-Executive Director for the
African American Leadership Academy.
Jim Lorimer is Co-Founder of the annual Arnold Sports
Festival. After serving in World War II and as an FBI special agent, he became
the chairperson of the U.S. Olympic Committee for Women’s Athletics. In 1970,
he organized the World Weightlifting Championships in Columbus, where contestants
competed for the title of Mr. World. Arnold Schwarzenegger won the title, and
the Arnold Sports Festival became an annual event.
“We are delighted to induct these four Columbus champions
into the Hall of Fame,” said Mayor Ginther. “Each of them has contributed to the
well-being, growth and diversity of our city. I cannot thank them enough for
lifting up the City of Columbus and its residents.”
The 2019 inductees will be officially inducted into the
Columbus Hall of Fame on October 30, 2019.