From TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Frederick Douglass Community Association, Tim Pettaway Ministry, and Toledo Symphony musicians will join together on Juneteenth, this Friday, June 19, 2020, for a fundraiser to support Toledo’s Black and African American community. The fundraiser called Live The Protest will take place outdoors at the Frederick Douglass Community Center located at 1001 Indiana Avenue in Toledo.
“People are taking action across the country as well as right here in Toledo as our voices are uniting against racism and police brutality suffered by the Black community,” says Reggie Williams, Executive Director of the Frederick Douglass Community Association. “We called this fundraiser ‘Live Your Protest’ because living your protest means to ‘look after your fellow man and aspire to be better people.’”
“No matter what you do to support us—march, donate, play music,” continues Williams, “all of it can shed light on the social injustice Black American face. By coming together in support, we can look out for our fellow men and women as we all aspire to be better people.”
The fundraiser will begin at 9 a.m. at the Frederick Douglass Community Center with free food handed out until noon. Then, a march from the Swayne Field Shopping Center, located at the intersection of Monroe Street and Detroit Avenue, to the Frederick Douglass Community Center will begin at 2:00 PM. Toledo Symphony musicians will perform when marchers arrive at the center. Face masks and social distancing are highly encouraged due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“We are honored to be a part of this important fundraiser,” said Lauraine Carpenter, Principal Trumpet for the Toledo Symphony and Executive Committee Member for the City of Toledo’s Human Relations Commission. “We will welcome marchers at The Doug with music written around 1865 and other music celebrating the contributions of our African American brothers and sisters.”
“We’re so thrilled to be partnering with soprano Eboné Waweru, who will join us for Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” added Merwin Siu, Principal Second Violinist and Artistic Administrator for the Toledo Symphony. “We’re also working with Toledo-born composer and violinist Armond Wimberly to bring some of his music to this great celebration.”
The Live The Protest fundraiser aims to raise $1 million to support renovations and programming for the Frederick Douglass Community Center. The center is asking each person to contribute at least $100. Donations may be dropped off at the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union located at 1441 Dorr Street in Toledo.
Special Live Your Protest Community T-shirts are also available for purchase through Jupmode. Each shirt is $24, and for a limited time, 100% of all sales will go to support the Frederick Douglass Community Center. T-shirts will be printed on demand.
All proceeds from the fundraiser and T-shirt sale will go toward upgrading the center and providing more modern conveniences, such as additional computers, internet tools, and an updated website. Proceeds will also support programs provided by the Frederick Douglass Community Center, including a GED program through Owens Community College, prenatal care and infant mortality classes sponsored by the Lucas County Health Department, addiction support services, Youth Opportunity Programs, tutoring and summer paid employment, 24-hour day care, and Pride Kids United which has programs including baseball, basketball, and football.
