Civil rights, community leadership and a call to vote take center stage as Dayton celebrates those working to make the American promise more inclusive.
Edwin C. Moses spent much of his extraordinary athletic career making hurdles look like minor inconveniences. On Friday evening, October 23, the Olympic legend returned to the spotlight in his hometown—not to clear another barrier, but to receive recognition at the Dayton NAACP Hall of Freedom Awards and Banquet Dinner.
For Moses, who grew up in West Dayton and graduated from Fairview High School in 1973, the honor carried a distinctly local significance. The two-time Olympic gold medalist became a global symbol of excellence, but his influence extended beyond athletics through advocacy for athletes’ rights, fair compensation and integrity in sports. Moses has been busy in Dayton, He was at Medal of Honor Memorial at Honor Park in Dayton, Ohio to witness the unveiling of a 12-foot granite obelisk honoring regional veterans, which includes a dedication to his late father, Irving Sylvester Moses—a Tuskegee Airman
Inside the Dayton Convention Center, the evening celebrated achievement while reminding attendees that the pursuit of equality remains unfinished business.
The ceremony opened with a stirring rendition of the national anthem by Erica L. Clark, whose commanding voice brought an atmosphere of solemn pride to a gathering of civic leaders, elected officials, educators, business executives and community advocates.
The event also celebrated the 111th anniversary of the Dayton NAACP branch, an institution whose history is intertwined with the region’s continuing struggle for civil rights and opportunity.
Honoring Those Who Serve
Among those recognized wer, Bishop Jerome McCurry for courageous activism, Darren Andrews for outstanding leadership, Denosha Finch for excellence in education, and Elexus Renner for community service.,
Their recognition reflected a broader truth about social progress: history may remember the famous speeches, but communities are often transformed by people doing the less glamorous work between them.
The audience included Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Dayton Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss, former Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims Jr., David Turner the 37th International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (an organization of which Edwin Moses is a prominent member) Montgomery County Commissioner Carolyn Rice, University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina and Premier Health CEO Michael Riordan. A
Representatives of Dayton’s immigrant communities, including Egbe Omo Yoruba of Dayton and the Miami Valley, also participated, underscoring the increasingly diverse character of the region’s civic life.
A Warning Before November 3
Yet the evening’s most urgent message came from Dayton NAACP President Dr. Derrick L. Foward, who challenged attendees to consider their responsibilities ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
“Unity over division, respect over hostility, hope over fear, and service over self-interest,” Foward declared.
His appeal emphasized collective responsibility rather than individual political preferences.
“It’s not about you. It’s about who we’re going to the ballot box to vote for on November the 3rd. It’s about us. It’s about us as American people.”
He ended with a pointed warning:
“If we don’t get this election right on November 3rd, you think that we are having struggles now? You think that our history is being erased now?” His remarks gave the celebration a sense of urgency that extended far beyond the banquet hall. One message emerged clearly: progress is not a spectator sport.
