Min Dale Edwards Executive Director Call and Post, Vice President Southern Christian Leadership Conference
CLEVELAND — Historic Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church became a gathering place for faith, civic engagement and Ohio politics as clergy, elected officials and community leaders assembled to support Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton.
The program was organized by Minister Dale Edwards, executive director of the Call & Post and newly elected vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Edwards moderated the gathering, which was hosted by Rev. Dr. E. Theophilus Caviness, senior pastor of Greater Abyssinia, with Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr., Pastor Emeritus of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, and former Cleveland City Council President George L. Forbes.
The program opened with performances of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by powerhouse vocalist Tina Farmer, Cleveland gospel personality and radio host. Rev. Dr. Larry L. Macon Sr., pastor of Mt. Zion Church in Oakwood Village, President of United Pastors in mission and a leader in Greater Cleveland’s pastors’ movement and civic engagement offered prayer and urged civic participation.
Min Edwards also recognized Annette Blackwell, mayor of Maple Heights and Democratic candidate for Ohio auditor in 2026, before introducing Caviness and invoking the biblical call to “listen to the wisdom of our elders.” Caviness is a longtime Cleveland faith and civil rights leader whose church has participated in clergy efforts addressing violence and other community concerns.
CAVINESS: A MODERN-DAY MOSES
Min Edwards likened Dr. Caviness as he stood before the gathering not merely as a host, but as a spiritual bridge between Cleveland’s history and its present responsibility.
In the tradition of Moses, he has helped guide people through difficult seasons, calling ministers, civic leaders and residents to move together toward justice, dignity and collective action. Like Moses, Caviness represents the kind of leadership that does not belong to one person alone; it is leadership that gathers people, gives them courage and reminds them that freedom requires faith and disciplined action.
The biblical prophet Amos declared, “Let justice roll on like river, and righteousness like a never-falling stream!” (Amos 5:24). That passage captures the moral urgency surrounding the gathering. Justice cannot remain confined to the pulpit, and righteousness cannot be reduced to words spoken inside the sanctuary. They must flow into neighborhoods, schools, courts, government offices and voting booths.
Amos also challenged a divided and complacent society, warning that worship without justice is incomplete. His message speaks directly to the responsibility of every minister and stakeholder in Greater Cleveland: no congregation, organization or public official can meet the needs of the community alone.
Dr. Caviness’s leadership called for unity among pastors, elected officials, civic organizations, business leaders, educators, neighborhood advocates and voters. The work ahead requires every part of the community to come together—not for ceremony alone, but for coordinated action.
The gathering’s message was clear: when ministers and stakeholders stand apart, communities lose strength. When they stand together, they can confront violence, protect families, defend education, address housing concerns, strengthen economic opportunity and increase participation in the democratic process.
BROWN, ACTON MAKE THE CASE
U.S. Rep. Shontel M. Brown, who represents Ohio’s 11th Congressional District, emphasized the importance of the 2026 election and invoked the legacy of Cleveland leaders Louis Stokes, Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Marcia L. Fudge. Brown, who took office in November 4, 2021 serves on the House committees on Agriculture and Oversight and Accountability.
Congresswoman Brown introduced Acton, who outlined the issues shaping her campaign. Acton said she would oppose efforts to close Ohio colleges and universities, specifically citing Central State University, and discussed rising costs, rural communities, agriculture, education, housing, infant health and continued tuition assistance.
Acton’s appearance came as the governor’s race intensified. On Sept. 6, she was confronted by an armed man at the Canfield Fair who was later arrested; authorities said Acton was unharmed.
RALLY PLANNED TO BUILD EARLY-VOTE MOMENTUM
Organizers said a rally is being planned in the near future to help Rep. Shontel Brown pursue an aggressive early-vote effort ahead of the Oct. 6 early-vote request push. The planned mobilization is expected to bring together clergy, community leaders, volunteers and voters to encourage early-vote requests and strengthen turnout.
The effort reflects the organizers’ belief that early voting will be central to building momentum and reaching voters before Election Day. Additional details about the rally, including the date, location and participating organizations, are expected to be announced.
The planned rally also reflects the broader call issued from Greater Abyssinia: ministers and stakeholders must work together. The church cannot be expected to carry the entire burden of civic engagement, and elected officials cannot succeed without trusted community partners. A united effort is needed to educate voters, organize neighborhoods and ensure that concerns are translated into participation.
A GATHERING ROOTED IN HISTORY
Among those attending were retired Judge Michael Nelson, Cleveland Housing Court Administrative Judge Cheryl M. Wiltshire, Cleveland City Councilman Michael D. Polensek, Beachwood City Councilwoman June E. Taylor, Cleveland official Angela D. Shute-Woodson, former councilman Zack Reed, Ohio Sen. Kent Smith, Rabbi Ben Gholston and Elaine Gholston, and Ohio House member Eric Synenberg, William Tarter President NAACP, Pamela Mason, 1st Vice President NAACP, and other noteable celebrities and community stakeholders not named but present.
The reference and support of Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. connected the event to Cleveland’s civil rights history. Moss served as pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church for 33 years, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma and became a prominent voice for voting rights and social justice.
The gathering reflected the enduring role of Cleveland’s Black churches as centers of worship, civic education and political organizing. It also underscored the need for a broader coalition in which every minister and stakeholder accepts responsibility for the community’s future.
The prophet Amos did not call for isolated voices. He called for justice to flow like a mighty stream. That vision requires pastors standing together, congregations standing together and public and private leaders standing together.
It requires the wisdom of elders, the energy of young people, the experience of civil rights leaders, the authority of elected officials and the participation of ordinary voters.
The program concluded with a benediction from Pastor Ramone Prince, President of The Baptist ministers conference Cleveland and vicinity followed by refreshments and a fellowship-hall meet-and-greet.
With a rally now being planned, organizers are seeking to carry the energy from the church into an early-voting campaign focused on Oct. 6 and beyond.
The message was direct: community concerns must become action at the ballot box.
And the call was broader still:
“But Let justice roll like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” through every congregation, every neighborhood and every institution. Let every minister and stakeholder come together.
Vote.
