Lorain NAACP swears in officers, executive committee for 2025

LORAIN — The Lorain NAACP swore in its new officers and executive committee this week. The civil rights organization will see President Earl Head continue to lead it alongside Vice President Jessie Tower, Secretary Jenna Smith and Treasurer Earl Harris. Named to the executive committee were the Rev. Peter Tower, Albert Williams, Sylvia DuVall, Michael Williams Sr., Kenneth Dawson and E. Jean Wrice. The group held its final meeting of 2024 at Harrison Cultural Community Center. Head's wife, Lynn Wrice, recounted its highlights from 2024 including its Martin Luther King Jr. Day programs and Bless the Block event between Church of the Redeemer and Wesley United Methodist Church. She said the group's goal for 2025 is to see its annual, and active, members climb. "Don't talk about it, be about it," she said. Head agreed. He said he was looking forward to the group getting younger people involved and being active in the community, including collaborations with Harrison Cultural Community Center, which has a new program manager. Eva Johnson, a retired Lorain Schools kindergarten teacher, is now the program manager for Harrison. Harrison Cultural Community Center opened 30 years ago. Once the home of Harrison Elementary until the 1970s, the circa-1904 building sat vacant for about 20 years until three retired teachers revived it. One of Johnson's first programs is a Kwanzaa Paint Party 1-3 p.m. Dec. 28. The program is $15 per person and reservations and payment are due by Monday. Those interested can call Harrison's office at (440) 244-0359. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.