Harrison Cultural Community Centre names new executive director

LORAIN – Harrison Cultural Community Centre is under new leadership. Board Secretary Rhonda Pettie announced Ray Southard Jr. as the organization's new executive director during its Taste of Harrison event on Saturday. He started Feb. 16. Southard is a longtime educator, football coach and illustrator who has spent time in Lorain, Oberlin and Cleveland schools. "I came here 30 years ago and it felt like home," Southard said of the International City. "And when I came (to Harrison), it still feels like home." Founded in 1992, Harrison Cultural Community Centre is in the former Harrison Elementary School built in 1904. The building was slated for demolition when Jacqueline Greenhill, Emily Mosely and Deloris Warfield stepped in to save it from the wrecking ball. Since then, it has hosted myriad programs, including art classes, tutoring and fitness opportunities for senior citizens. In the mid-1990s, Southard worked with Lorain Schools through a 21st Century Community Learning Center, offering wellness and educational programming for middle school students. "We got such a great response from students and had a great impact because I was typically that father (figure) that a lot of kids didn't have," he said. Southard received his undergraduate degree in illustration at Bowling Green State University and played football there. Later, he obtained a Master's in Educational Leadership from Concordia University and became an assistant principal at some Cleveland area schools, then at Oberlin High School. After a stroke forced Southard to temporarily step back from some of his educational roles, he took an administrative role in Cleveland, then an alternative school in Lorain County. Coming to Harrison is a homecoming of sorts, as he used to have partnerships there with Oberlin Police Chief Ryan Warfield. Warfield, whose mother was one of Harrison's founders, mentioned to Southard the nonprofits recent opening. "Ultimately, I've been put on this Earth to work with the students who look at me and see themselves," he said, and it is something he plans to continue to do as long as he is able. Moving forward, he hopes to bring more programming to Harrison Cultural and deepen its partnerships in the community. He wants to reach the grandchildren and parents in the area for the center's wellness and health offerings, salsa classes and other opportunities – and connect with the next generation of Harrison attendees through those adults. "We can't do everything, but if we develop the correct partnerships, we can definitely be successful and help each other out," he said. For more information on Harrison Cultural Community Centre and its upcoming programming, visit harrisonccc.org. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.