When WYSO launched the Senior Voices series with the Dayton Metro Library and Rebuilding Together Dayton a few years ago, we connected with staff from CityWide Development Corporation. They knew there were important stories of strength and resilience yet to be told, and suggested we continue collecting stories from Dayton’s west side neighborhoods, especially those of elders living within the Germantown Street corridor.
After several years of discussions, the West Dayton Stories project was born. We met with civic groups and neighborhood activists at churches and libraries to come up with a plan. Eventually we brought together a creative, committed group of community producers to train during the winter and spring of 2020.
And then, as everyone knows, the pandemic hit.
But the project has continued, even though we aren’t able to meet and train and conduct interviews in person right now.
Meet our first WDS community producers. They begin by sharing thoughts on life, living, and community during the time of covid. In the months ahead, look for more commentaries and profiles that tell West Dayton Stories.
Jocelyn Robinson of the Eichelberger Center for Community Voices is the project director. Our theme music is “Inheritance,” written and performed by Dayton’s own Mariah J.
CityWide has been our partner on "West Dayton Stories," providing in-kind support through fundraising, community outreach, and relationship-building. WesBanco, Fifth Third, and the City of Dayton provided financial support.
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We’ve been reflecting on Black Joy on West Dayton Stories and our final commentary on the topic is from amaha sellassie. -
Our community producers have been considering the notion of Black Joy on West Dayton Stories, and this week, Tiffany Brown uses the performance art of spoken word poetry in her piece, “Stillness…to Joy”.
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We’re exploring Black Joy on West Dayton Stories. This week, community producer Loveyah Stewart talks about seeing her Black Joy when looking in a mirror.
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We’re exploring Black Joy on West Dayton Stories, and this week community producer Omopé Carter-Daboiku, known to many as Mama O, tells of a lifetime of dipping into that deep well of spirit and pride.
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In this week's edition of West Dayton Stories community producer Jaylon Yates uses lyrical language and poetic imagery to express his take on Black Joy.
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Here on West Dayton Stories, we’re exploring the concept of Black Joy. With so much focus on the trauma of race in America, we turn to this important source of celebration, resistance, and healing. Community producer LB, who’s also known as Leah Byrd, takes us back to the time he found the joy he didn’t know he needed in his life.
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It’s pretty clear voting is important, but is it enough? Activist and educator amaha selassie considers what else it takes to truly make positive change in our communities.
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A whole lot has happened in the last three decades. Community producer Loveyah Stewart reflects on how she got to this moment.
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Young people are raising their voices in the political debate, and we need to hear them. Community producer Jaylon Yates shares his ideas on the importance of voting, especially locally.
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As West Dayton Stories presents thoughts and opinions on the recent election and voting in years past, it seems there’s a generational divide emerging. Omope Carter-Daboiku has exercised her right to cast a ballot over quite a few voting cycles.
