Lorain NAACP honors LaCoya Head with Living Black History program

LORAIN – The Lorain NAACP honored one of its own Saturday evening. LaCoya Head, granddaughter of president emeritus E. Jean Wrice and daughter of president Earl Head, received recognition as part of the organization's Living History program that evening. Head, 27, is an intervention specialist at Lorain Schools, a longtime volunteer at Catholic Charities' St. Elizabeth Shelter, Wesley United Methodist Church, the Lorain NAACP, Start W/ Art and other organizations and a small business owner. She received her bachelor's degree from Ashland University and a master's degree from Grand Canton University. She also created the "pass it on" initiative, writing uplifting messages on key-shaped notes and handing them to those who need words of encouragement and was previously recognized as one of Cleveland's "most treasured volunteers." On Saturday, seated at the table at the head of the Knights of Columbus hall, she stayed quiet as her family and friends sang her praises throughout the evening. Her mother, Lynn Wrice-Head, remembered times when LaCoya was "volun-told" to give her time to organizations – now LaCoya is the one setting Wrice-Head's schedule. Often, the mother-daughter "dynamic duo" write poems together, Wrice-Head said. She took a chance writing one herself commemorating her daughter's activism and service. "We honor the story she continues to write," Wrice-Head said. "A living chapter of Black excellence, Black service, Black love shining light. Keep doing what you're doing." LaCoya's godfather and NAACP Treasurer, Earl Harris said the young woman always had a gift. "I've watched her grow and blossom from a little child into a beautiful young woman," he said, noting he was proud to be her godfather. "I just ask that even in all your accomplishments, one thing to remember is to remain humble and under that (to) put God first." Seated next to her at the head of the room, LaCoya's younger cousin, Quintaijah Washington, elicited a few tears from the evening's honoree. "She has always been a guiding light for me for as long as I can remember," Washington said. "She's always been very headstrong and focused but always has kept me focused and headed in the right direction – sometimes by force. I'm so happy that she's being recognized for the lovely individual that she is – and thank you for always keeping my head on straight." Her pastor, Michael W. Howard of Wesley United Methodist Church, shared similarly how Head could keep him on track but retain respect for her elders. The best is still yet to come, he told her. "You also seek for the truth," he said. "Continue to do that … The works that you're doing speak for you, that the love that you've been giving speaks for you, let the service that you've been rendering and continue to render speak for you and let your faith, that you hold dearly, speak within you." Eva Johnson, a retired Lorain Schools educator who recently headed Harrison Cultural Community Centre, said Head was always available to lend a hand at the nonprofit. Head recently spoke at a town hall meeting in defense of her fellow Lorain Schools staff as the district faces $17 million in cuts for next school year. Johnson admired the young educator for her passion and activism on her colleagues' behalf that evening. "She spoke very well and I told her afterwards how well she did and she said 'I have to look out for my peers. I'm young, I can get a job anywhere but some of them can't so I have to speak up for them,'" Johnson recounted. "So I really admire you and as a young person, the way you take initiative and do what you gotta do." Head responded to the praise that evening first, in song – her acapella voice filling the banquet hall with the lyrics to gospel song "If I Can Help Somebody" – and then with words of thanks. As a "behind the scenes person," Head often tries to stay out of the spotlight, she said, and found Saturday's recognition a bit uncomfortable. "I do everything that I do because I simply believe that we are called to do it," she said. "To me, living Black history isn't about one month, it's about how we show up for each other every day … Our history is rooted in resilience, faith, sacrifice and unity. And we honor that legacy not just by remembering it, but by participating in it." Head's grandmother, E. Jean Wrice, received similar recognition in 2023. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.