At 100, Hazel Joseph Lewis Is Still Living Life on Her Own Terms
Hazel Joseph Lewis just celebrated her 100th birthday at The Art of Work in Dayton, surrounded by family and the extended church community that's anchored her for decades. A Caribbean immigrants' daughter who built a 40-year federal contracting career and still swims and plays bridge today, Lewis was honored by the National Council of Negro Women as one of its "Ladies in Their 80s and Beyond." Her advice for a long life: "Keep your life moving, be active and involved, and don't be afraid to ask God for guidance along the way."
Hazel Joseph Lewis
In Case You Missed It
My Father Would Be Proud
Ohio State Senator Willis Blackshear Jr. opens up about the man who shaped him most: his late father, Willis Blackshear Sr., a Dunbar High grad who overcame homelessness to attend Fisk University and went on to serve as Montgomery County Recorder until his death in 2018. In this intimate DWN feature, RoShawn Winburn traces how a son turned grief into guardrails, carrying his father's example of integrity, faith, and service through the Statehouse today. It's a story about what it means to lead with the people who raised you always watching.
Business
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Community Voices
INTRODUCING
IMARI BURTON
Meet Imari Burton, the newest writer and editor at Dayton Weekly News. Born and raised in Westwood, she brings a deep passion for the Black community and the issues shaping it. Her focus is culture, controversial ideas within the Black community, media narratives, and Black political life and spirituality. She has a big vision, including hopes of launch a podcast called The Elevation Exchange. Read her full introduction and get to know the voice you will be hearing from in the Dayton Weekly.
Culture
LOCAL DISCOVERIES
This month, we wandered through Dayton to find gems that embody culture.
🥔 PALMERS PLACE
Turning loaded potatoes, salads, and comfort classics into a neighborhood favorite worth the trip.
☕️ DAILY DOSE CAFFE
A cozy caffè bringing craft coffee and a welcoming vibe to Daytonians looking for their next favorite corner.
🎨 ED DIXON GALLERY
A fine art gallery giving Dayton's creative community a dedicated space to see and celebrate original work.
Real Estate
The Sessions Perspective
DJ Sessions, founder of Sessions Lending Group and GDRA's first NAREB Developers Academy graduate, is laying down a challenge to the community this week: pick one ownership goal for the next twelve months, whether it's a home, a rental property, or a business, and take the first concrete step. His essay argues that renting the present costs us the future, and that real community power starts with owning the block, not just living on it.
Education
Years Later, the Question Remains: What Have You Done for HBCUs Lately?
HBCU alumni giving has held near 10% for decades, well below broader national averages, even as land-grant HBCUs face a documented $12-13 billion funding disparity. Kyra Robinson, MS, lays out concrete ways to close that gap beyond writing a check, including mentoring current students, sponsoring a local HBCU send-off event, or joining an alumni association. With Wilberforce and Central State in our backyard, this is a call to action worth taking personally.
Community
LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES
September 26, 2026 - The Dayton Metro Libray invites you to dive into a day of discovery with the rich talent of local writers & authors.
Where I’m From
I come from a womb like gifted hands in the kitchen with green thumbs attached.
I come from a womb like impatience that makes the original task harder then intended.
I come from a womb of stubbornness.
I come from a womb that come from a womb that came from another womb of trauma.
I come from a womb of the most majestic love. I’ve been & came from a womb like gracefulness.
I came from a womb like nonstop healing.
I come from a womb like the most powerful prayers, but with hella action attached.
The wombs I come from is what makes me Sister T.
I hope the future wombs that come from me understand what it’s like to come, from me.
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Poem by Sister Taharah
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