Toledo-raised performers headline African American Pageant

From Madison Hahamy

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TOLEDO, Ohio (Toledo blade) – Native talent is a highlight of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union African American Festival, which is celebrating its 16th anniversary after a pandemic cancellation.

The festival includes a prayer breakfast, parade, and performances, most notably by singers Lyfe Jennings and Shirley Murdock, both Toledo natives who haven’t returned to town for over a year. Suzette Cowell, CEO of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, said the local connections found during the two-day festival are by design and ensure that the festival has “a sense of home”. The festival is very special this year, she added, as the credit union is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The African American Festival begins on Friday with a prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Glass City Metropark Pavilion, 1001 Front St., Toledo. Tickets, $ 10, are available from Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, 1441 Dorr St., Toledo.

On Saturday, a parade will start at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Dorr Street and North Detroit Avenue. It’s supposed to wind through the neighborhood by noon. Shortly afterwards, at 2 p.m., the festival begins with live entertainment at Promenade Park, 224 Water St. In addition to Jennings and Murdock, Jay Rush, Bobby G, Lakeside, the Zapp Band, Tin Cunningham and Darius Coleman will be on the line-up.

General admission to the festival is $ 20 and can be obtained from the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union or. can be acquired TicketMaster.com.

Jennings and Murdock will both perform on the main stage. In separate interviews, both discussed their relationship with Toledo, showing their enthusiasm for performing again, and giving rave reviews of the same local pizzeria.

Lyfe Jennings, an R&B singer and songwriter who described his musical style as “passionate”, grew up in Toledo, although he currently lives in Atlanta. He said he always knew he wanted to be a singer and that his talent “opened doors” for him. Jennings tries to return to his hometown once or twice a year, he said, but he’s “just kind of busy with life” and hasn’t made it in recent years.

Despite performing since September, Jennings said he was particularly excited to be returning to Toledo to “show people, especially the younger crowd, that there is something else you can do with your life.”

“You hear it,” he continued, “but actually being able to see and touch it is more realistic.”

For the past several years, Jennings has performed at the Stranahan Theater and other venues in Toledo, where he says he bases his setlist on the desires of the crowd and the general “feel” of the audience.

While he’s mostly returning to Toledo to perform, Jennings also said he’ll be snapping up a slice of Gino’s pizza. “You never find a pizza like this,” he says with a laugh.

Shirley Murdock, also an R&B singer and songwriter, can’t remember a time when she couldn’t sing. She always thought she would become a gospel singer who “sings like a grown woman in church choirs since I was a little girl”. She attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Toledo and graduated from St. Ursula Academy.

Her singing style reflects this soul and gospel influence, including hits like “As We Lay” and a remake of the Lionel Richie song “Jesus is Love”.

Although Murdock has relatives who live in Toledo, she now resides in Dayton and has not returned since the pandemic started. “When I found out I had the opportunity to return home, I was so excited,” she said. “Everywhere I go, always make sure I tell people that I’m from Toledo. I have always been blessed to know that when I get home I see this support and love.

Murdock also noted how excited she is to visit the Toledo Museum of Art, where she took classes every Saturday as a child at Lincoln Elementary School. And just like Jennings, her favorite local food is Gino’s Pizza.

“Gino’s Pizza will give you life,” she emphasized on the phone.

Of her ultimate accomplishment, Murdock said people can expect to be both entertained and inspired.

“I always want to go [audiences] with something that will help them through difficult times, leave them a song that will strengthen their faith, ”she said.

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