To the Editors:

As both an Oberlin alum, OC ’97, and City Council President, I know firsthand how powerful the Oberlin spirit can be — thoughtful, curious, creative, and deeply committed to justice and equity. Those same values are at the heart of this year’s local elections, most notably in the race for Oberlin municipal court judge. I’m asking you to join me in supporting fellow Oberlin alum Farah Lillian Emeka, OC ’97, for this vital role.

Farah is an experienced attorney and dedicated public servant who understands that the law should serve people, not intimidate them. As the chief prosecutor and assistant law director for the City of Oberlin, she has worked across multiple jurisdictions, always leading with fairness, professionalism, and integrity. Her leadership ensures that justice is not just carried out, but done so with compassion and respect.

Beyond the courtroom, Farah is a tireless advocate for education and opportunity. As president of the Oberlin City Schools Board of Education, she has championed equitable access to quality education and resources for all students. She also serves with the Ruby N. Jones Community Scholarship Fund, helping young people pursue their dreams — an extension of her lifelong belief that everyone deserves a fair chance to thrive. I’ve known Farah for 32 years, and I’ve witnessed this both as her friend and as a fellow community leader. 

Farah’s approach to justice is deeply human. She listens carefully, weighs each perspective, and makes decisions guided by empathy, principle, and the law. That’s the kind of leadership we need in our courts and the kind of example that reflects Oberlin’s values.

As Oberlin College students, your voice and your vote carry real weight in shaping this community. Your participation in local elections makes an impactful difference in ensuring that our institutions reflect the fairness, inclusivity, and compassion in which we all believe.

With over 20 years of experience in various legal areas, including probate, family law, and civil litigation, coupled with her work as a managing attorney in the family law division of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, Farah’s experience and readiness to serve as the judge for this court are unmatched. She will be prepared to lead the Court on her very first day.

The Chronicle-Telegram endorsed Emeka in the primary race against Zack Simonoff and again earlier this month against her opponent in the general election, Richard Ramsey. Please join me in voting for Farah Lillian Emeka for Oberlin municipal court judge on Nov. 4. Together, we can continue building a community that is truly rooted in opportunity, respect, empathy, and justice for all.

–Eboni A. Johnson

To the Editors:

I write this letter to endorse Farah Emeka for Oberlin municipal court judge. I have had the pleasure of knowing Farah Emeka for almost 20 years. As our children have grown up together, I have observed her deepening commitment to Lorain County and her leadership in its affairs. Farah Emeka’s education at Oberlin College and her training at Seattle University School of Law endowed her with critical skills and professional training to best serve this community in the areas of probate, estate, family law, and civil litigation. Farah Emeka’s 20+ years of experience have honed her understanding of the law and shaped her judgement in its application. Her service as president of the Oberlin School Board and chair of the Lorain County Urban League Board expanded her understanding of the lives of the members of our community. Farah Emeka has worked on behalf of the people, using her positions and voice to advocate for fairness and justice. Farah Emeka as judge of the Oberlin municipal court will sit on the bench as a member of this community, familiar with its people and their experiences. She will serve as a vested member of the community, advocating for its members, not a bureaucrat, parachuting in to check off a box on their resume. As a former Oberlin City Councilmember, I have learned that there is no more important public service than to support the people’s hopes and ambitions. We have seen the wreckage that disengagement from voting can do. I believe that all who believe in building just and fair communities must start at the ground level of local politics. There is no better candidate than Farah Emeka to do this work. 

–Charles F. Peterson,

Professor of Africana Studies

To the Editors:

I encourage all Oberlin students, faculty, and staff who are registered to vote in Ohio to make sure to vote for alum Farah Lillian Emeka for judge of the Oberlin Municipal Court in the Nov. 4 election. Endorsed by The Chronicle-Telegram newspaper and numerous area officials including Oberlin’s Chief of Police and City Council President, Farah Emeka is clearly the more qualified candidate.

Voters can confirm their registration status and registration address through the voter search page at VoteOhio.gov: https://voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/voterlookup.aspx. They can also confirm their election day polling place by entering their registration address at the vote411.org website maintained by the League of Women Voters. The last in-person early voting times are Saturday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 2, 1–5 p.m. at the Lorain County Board of Elections, 1985 N. Ridge Rd. E. in Lorain.

All voters must have proper photo IDs. Accepted IDs are unexpired U.S. passports and passport cards, Ohio driver’s licenses, Ohio state ID cards, and military IDs.  

Let’s make history by electing Farah Emeka as the first Black female judge in Lorain County!

–Ray English