SUCCESS
AT THE PROCUREMENT & PATHWAYS EVENT
Missed Procurement & Pathways? The Sept. 15 event at the University of Dayton Arena's Boesch Lounge brought small business owners face to face with procurement representatives from public and private organizations looking to grow their supplier networks. It was hosted by the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Dayton Region Minority Business Assistance Center, the University of Dayton, Greater West Dayton Incubator, and the National Black MBA Association. The evening featured a panel on building relationships with buyers and positioning a business for long-term success. For the next opportunity, contact Natasha Sandella at 937-226-8269.
Amplified Voices
THE DWN TALKS TO COMEDIAN ALI SIDDIQ ON LAUGHTER, FATHERHOOD, AND PERSEVERANCE
Ali Siddiq brings the Custom Fit Tour to the Victoria Theatre, Thursday, Oct. 1
Comedian Ali Siddiq plays the Victoria Theatre this Thursday, Oct. 1, and ahead of the show he sat down with DWN Publisher RoShawn Winburn to talk about storytelling, fatherhood, and why he hasn't written a traditional joke in about eight years. The winner of three Webby Awards for Rugged and an NAACP Image Award for My Two Sons opens up about the long grind that started on Dec. 4, 1997, and about raising his daughter differently than he was raised. He also describes the fans who tell him his specials carried them through grief and depression. Get tickets and show information at AliSiddiq.com.
Dayton Leaders Urge Residents to "Start the Conversation" on Suicide Prevention
Check in on a family member, friend, or neighbor this week. That is the call to action from the Blair Elmore (BE) Global Initiative, which recently joined Dayton and Montgomery County leaders, including Sen. Willis Blackshear Jr., Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss, and members of the city and county commissions, to proclaim Sept. 10 as World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day in Dayton. The ceremony honored the legacy of Blair Elmore, whose death by suicide inspired the initiative, and included a prayer for healing from Bishop Ronald C. Todd II and a moment of silence for survivors and loved ones lost. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
The Afro-Brazilian Martial Art with Roots in Angola
Comic by Professor Sterling Haynes
Drums, tambourines, a circle of clapping hands, and two players cartwheeling into the center. Professor Sterling Haynes introduces readers to capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art with roots in Angola. Enslaved Africans in Brazil disguised it as dance and music so they could train to defend themselves. Haynes explains the ginga, the rocking step at the heart of the game, the difference between the Angola and Regional styles, and the 2014 UNESCO recognition that put capoeira on the world stage.
Real Estate by
THE GREATER DAYTON REALTISTS ASSOCIATION
Realtist Corner brings you news and insight from the Greater Dayton Realtist Association, the local chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). Since NAREB's founding, Realtists have worked under the banner of "Democracy in Housing," helping Black families buy homes, build equity, and hold onto property across generations. Each week, GDRA members share what they see on the ground: homeownership tips, market updates, development opportunities, and listings from agents who know our neighborhoods.
RESIDENTIAL
747 Heck Avenue, Dayton 45417: 3-bed, 1-bath single-family home now priced at $129,000, listed by Traci Martin of Howard Hanna, (937) 301-8333.
COMMERCIAL
3032 Hoover Avenue, Dayton 45402: A mixed-use property with gated parking, listed at $160,000 by Tammy Dixon of Keller Williams Advisors, (937) 609-6655
Local Empowerment
OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunity Board is where Dayton Weekly News gathers the week's openings you can act on right now: grants, scholarships, jobs, contract bids, free workshops, and programs that help our families and businesses grow. Every item is checked by our editorial staff for dates, deadlines, and contact details before it runs, with priority given to opportunities closing soon. Our focus is the Dayton region first, with openings from Cincinnati and Columbus when they are worth the drive.
HONOR A FATHER
Dayton Metro Library is accepting nominations for its third annual Flowers for Fathers: Honoring Our Heroes. The award recognizes Montgomery County fathers and father figures who defy stereotypes and show up with love, courage, and commitment for their families and communities. Honorees will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Bassani Theater Off Third at the Main Library, with a candlelight performance headlined by Vibe 5 and Charles Oliver. Submit a nomination at bit.ly/4jfcyTh, or call 937.463.2665 with questions.
SCORE WORKSHOP
Board members, founders, and executive directors can build a stronger plan for their organization at a SCORE workshop on Friday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to noon in The Center for Community Impact & Innovation at the Main Library. Brian Wentzel, Strategy Director for Dayton Children's Hospital, will cover who belongs at the planning table, the steps in a strategic plan, when to update it, and how to track progress. It is a strong fit for church ministries and community groups ready to grow with intention. Registration is required at DaytonMetroLibrary.org or 937.463.2665.
FOCUS ON FINANCES
Dayton Metro Library and Wright-Patt Credit Union are hosting a free four-week financial series on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Main Library. The sessions cover money habits (Oct. 1), budgeting (Oct. 8), credit (Oct. 22), and smarter borrowing and debt repayment (Oct. 29). Participants who attend all four are entered to win a special prize. Registration is required at DaytonMetroLibrary.org or 937.463.2665.
A Final Note
WORDS IN A MIRROR
I am going through hardships,
Hardships I am going through.
But through every storm I face,
Christ will see me through.
Through every sorrow,
through every word reversed,
through every tear and every fear,
one truth remains clear:
I need God every day,
Every day, God I need.
When my heart is filled with sorrow,
He is the strength I need.
When life turns upside down,
and my words become a mirror,
I may reverse the sentence—
but my faith becomes clearer.
God is in Christ,
Christ is in us,
and we are in Christ.
In Him, I place my trust.
I need God every day,
Every day, God I need.
Through the darkness and the struggle,
He is all the light I need.
And when I have nothing left to say,
when every word has disappeared,
I will still call His name,
for in my darkest hour,
I know that He is near.
When hardships come and hope feels far,
when I cannot see the way,
I will trust in Christ my Savior,
and seek Him every day.
For life may turn my world around,
and reverse the words I say,
but Christ remains my cornerstone—
yesterday, today, always.
Until next time,
Stay Informed. Stay Engaged. Build Together.
