She also likes keeping his memorial nice and neat with flowers because that was the life that Rufus lead. “He was into landscaping and was even employed as a landscaper. He loved flowers and keeping things beautified.”

He has been instrumental in organizing and promoting jobs rallies in Akron and fought (non-violently of course) to prevent the privatization of the Akron Sewer System.

J. Johnson said he hope to see this program grow through the years. “With talent competitions such as this, we can make a positive difference with our youth with Christ at the center.”

Rev. Stephanie Lee ministers two churches, Centenary United Methodist and Holy Trinity United Methodist Church in Akron. She said the forum fit right in with they had been studying in church.

For this civil rights organization, she also represents the Akron Branch as “Voting Delegate,” attending yearly State and National Conventions. She also utilizes her time as a photojournalist, covering stories from NAACP events.