Council to Host Annual Black History Month Celebration and Poindexter Awards Recognition
This year's celebration will honor the theme "Black Resistance."
February 9, 2023
Who:
Council President Shannon G. Hardin
Members of City Council
Rep. Joyce Beatty, OH-03
Andrew Kinsey, 10TV Anchor
When:
Friday, February 17, 2023
9:30 a.m.
Where:
Council Chambers
City Hall, 2nd Floor
90 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Council's Facebook page
City of Columbus YouTube channel
What:
Columbus City Council's annual Black History celebration returns to Council Chambers next week. This year's theme, "Black Resistance" explores the historic resilience of Black people and the fight to resist systems of oppression. During the ceremony, Council will honor the recipients of the 2023 James Preston Poindexter Awards, named after Reverend James Preston Poindexter, the first Black member of Columbus City Council. The ceremony will be emceed by 10TV Evening News Anchor, Andrew Kinsey and feature Rep. Joyce Beatty as the keynote speaker.
Keynote Speaker: Congresswoman Joyce Beatty
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty is a native Ohioan with a strong history of connecting people, policy and politics to make a difference. Since 2013, Beatty has proudly represented Ohio’s Third Congressional District. Beatty is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, having served as Chair in the 117th Congress. Beatty serves on the exclusive House Committee on Financial Services as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions. During her tenure in the Ohio House, she rose to become the first female Democratic House Leader in Ohio’s history and was instrumental in spearheading and enacting legislation to require financial literacy in Ohio’s public school curriculum, to expand STEM education, and to secure funds to help under- and uninsured women access breast and cervical cancer treatment.
Emcee: Andrew Kinsey, 10TV Anchor
Andrew Kinsey is a Multi-Emmy award-winning journalist with years of experience. For more than eight years, Andrew has offered viewers across Ohio - a front-row seat to the biggest news stories of the day. He has traveled across state lines to report live from presidential visits, natural disasters, a Super Bowl, and civil rights protests. In addition to his work in television, he is the founder of the youth mentoring foundation Andrew Cares and is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
2023 Poindexter Award Winners
Janet E. Jackson spent 14 years as president and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio, one of the largest United Way organizations in the country. She was the first woman and the first African American to lead the organization. Prior to coming to United Way, Janet served six years as Columbus City Attorney, a first for a woman in Columbus. Her election to that office was also a first for an African American. Before her appointment as City Attorney, Janet served nearly ten years as a Franklin County Municipal Court judge, making her the first African-American female judge in Franklin County history. Under Janet’s leadership, United Way of Central Ohio steadily expanded its position as an organization that goes far beyond fundraising to mobilize its community to comprehensively address the root causes of poverty and create lasting, measureable change. She has been instrumental in educating local business and community leaders about poverty in central Ohio and in inspiring them to join with United Way in developing an integrated approach to providing the opportunities people need to rise above poverty
Judge Algenon Marbley
Chief Judge Algenon L. Marbley is a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Upon recommendation from Senator John Glenn, President Bill Clinton appointed Judge Marbley to the bench in 1997. Judge Marbley became the Chief District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio on September 14, 2019, becoming the first African-American to serve in that capacity. In his twenty-four years serving as a district court judge, Judge Marbley has presided over some of the most important cases in central Ohio and the country, ranging from voting rights issues to issues involving policing. Judge Marbley also remains active in the community. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University and serves on the boards of the KIPP School and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Washington Post adopted one of his statements during a trial as its motto: “Democracy dies in darkness.”
Sean L. Walton Jr. is a talented attorney who focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, and civil rights. He is currently a partner at Walton-Brown Law. Sean has been named a Rising Star in Ohio by Super Lawyers, a distinction only 2.5% of attorneys receive. He has also been named Top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers, the American Society of Legal Advocates, the National Black Lawyers, and the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. Sean is a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Association for Justice (AAJ). The AAJ provides trial attorneys with information, professional support and a nationwide network that enables them to most effectively and expertly represent clients. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Capital University African American Law Alumni Association. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children
Mothers of Murdered Columbus was founded in 2020 to fight against community violence that is cutting the lives of Columbus residents short. Columbus native, Malissa Thomas St. Clair founded M.O.M.C.C. following with the tragic loss of her 22-year-old son, Anthony. Malissa now works with a group of mothers who work to improve the culture in our neighborhoods with family friendly events and marches to end violence. Everyday, M.O.M.C.C. puts pain to purpose to make the Columbus community a more safe and loving place for our children to grow up.
NAACP-Columbus Branch
The Columbus Branch of the NAACP fights for equity for Black residents of Columbus. This branch of the oldest civil rights organization was established in 1915. Under the leadership of President Nana Watson, the Columbus Branch of the NAACP has played a vital role in seeking Social, Economic and Political Justice for the Columbus residents. The branch of the NAACP has been involved in the initial conversation to implement a Civilian Review Board, body cameras, a disparity studies on behalf of minority owned businesses, and in the economic development for African Americans in Columbus.