Akron Reporter

AKRON, OH — On August 2, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted a roundtable at her district office in Akron with Black elected officials from Summit County to discuss the issues most important to communities of color and determine how she can best support local efforts to improve the lives of Black residents in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.

“Every person in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District should have the resources and tools they need to succeed,” said Rep. Sykes. “It was a pleasure to host Black leaders from across Summit County to discuss ways we can work together to address the needs of our constituents and ensure all Black and Brown families and communities can live with dignity, safety, and respect. I’ll continue to take your voices with me to Washington as I work to expand opportunity for all constituents in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.” 

“Congresswoman Sykes promised to take us to D.C. with her, and she has kept that promise. Thank you, Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes, for keeping us connected. Your experience, knowledge, insights, and willful support of local elected leaders make us even stronger in our service to the people we are privileged to serve,” Summit County Council President Veronica Sims.  

During the roundtable, participants discussed ways to protect access to vital social safety net programs like Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), address the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which disproportionately impacted Black and Brown Ohioans, and combat lead poisoning in communities of color.

Original source can be found here.