“Still We Rise: Oberlin’s Black Women of Excellence,” a ceremony organized by the Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship Center, took place Sunday. The event was organized in honor of Black History Month as a novel effort to recognize leadership and resilience in the face of systemic challenges. In a heartfelt ceremony at the Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship, community leaders and residents gathered to honor five Black women whose work has significantly shaped the social and political landscape of Oberlin. 

Initiated by community member Phyllis Yarber Hogan, “Still We Rise” represents a new approach in Oberlin to celebrating the achievements of Black women leaders. The ceremony, which began at 11:30 a.m., was designed to spotlight the contributions of Oberlin Municipal Court Chief Prosecutor Farah Emeka, OC ’97; Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Comparative American Studies Meredith Gadsby; Oberlin Underground Railroad Society Director Tracie Haynes; City Council President and STEM Librarian Eboni Johnson, OC ’97; and Marketing, Communications and Strategic Initiatives Officer at the Community Foundation of Lorain County Brittany Lovett. 

“I was thinking about our community and how we support our women who are in … positions of leadership,” Hogan said. “I do not remember a time when this has ever happened before.”

Farah Lillian Emeka, one of the honorees, serves as president of the Oberlin City Schools Board of Education, chief prosecutor, and assistant law director for Oberlin. With over two decades of experience in the legal field, Emeka is also currently running to become a judge of the Oberlin Municipal Court. She was honored for her role in efforts to promote educational equity and justice in Oberlin. During the event, Emeka spoke about the importance of community support in her life. 

“I walked into Brenda [Grier-Miller’s] office at 17 years old, … and she told me, ‘You come, whatever you need, whatever time you need, whatever woman you need, you come,’” Emeka said. “That was at 17. I’m gonna tell you, I’m much older than that now. And this family has been showing up for me and supporting me every step of the way.”

Gadsby, another honoree and president of the Oberlin Public Library Board, also expressed gratitude to the community. Gadsby was honored for her longstanding commitment to bridging globally relevant discourse with local activism. 

“There are a lot of people who are doing work in the corners, behind the scenes, that people don’t always see,” Gadsby said. “So I stand here as somebody who represents the folks that folks don’t always see.”

Haynes received her award for her career promoting community-based food justice initiatives, environmental advocacy, and Black land ownership. Recalling that she was told being true to herself might lead to challenges, Haynes acknowledged the reality of struggling against biased systems and the privilege of having an open, affirming family.

“I like to believe that we have come a long way and that we’re still on that road, but we’re getting better,” Haynes said.

Haynes also founded the Oberlin Village Garden in 2007, which benefited youth and seniors until the land was returned to the federal government in 2022. She earned recognition for her efforts in food security and creating tangible progress in Oberlin.

Eboni A. Johnson, president of the Oberlin City Council, was honored for her role in local government, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Elected Council President in January 2024, Johnson has emphasized collaborating with City administration to deliver resources and services to Oberlin residents.

She is also a trustee on the Oberlin Heritage Center board, volunteers with United Way of Greater Lorain County, and serves as an active member of the NAACP and the League of Women Voters. A librarian at the College since 2009, she currently serves as STEM Librarian and Head of the Science Library. 

The fifth honoree, Brittany Lovett, is a philanthropy professional, community leader, and advocate for equity and empowerment. She was honored for her work as Marketing, Communications and Strategic Initiatives officer at the Community Foundation Lorain County, a board member of the Lorain County Urban League as well as president of its Young Professionals chapter, a trustee at Philanthropy Ohio, and chair of the Ruby N. Jones Community Scholarship Fund.

The celebration also honored Black women of excellence who passed away in 2024, including first Black U.S. Army Nurse Nancy Leftenant-Colon, writer Nikki Giovanni, dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison, and Jessie Reeder, choir director at Rust United Methodist Church and board member on several Oberlin institutions, including the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center, Allen Memorial Hospital, and Lorain County Arts Council. The event aimed to not only be a spotlight for individual achievements but also to serve as a platform for community dialogue. The organizers discussed the long history of Black women’s contributions to social justice, including a reading of Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise.’ Community members spoke about others they had lost, and their place in building and sustaining Oberlin. 

To conclude, the organizers took a moment to cheer on eight Black girls in the community as aspiring leaders of tomorrow.

The celebration was balanced with a sober recognition of the challenges that remain. 

“We must take our positions,” Brenda Grier-Miller said. “We must occupy our stations. We must engage in our place in history.”