KEEPING THE FAITH | Lessons in humility in the ‘The Handshake of the Century’

Our country has been deeply divided and varied in opinions regarding monuments and statues of controversial historical figures.

These landmarks are being openly challenged, contested and even removed. As recently as Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day, the statue bearing the image of Christopher Columbus in Philadelphia remained encased and covered in a wooden box.

Yet in the heart of Youngstown's Wean Park, the narrative is in stark contrast. "The Handshake of the Century" has been recreated in a life-sized monument, depicting legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson and his teammate George "Shotgun" Shuba, a Youngstown native, grasping hands.

As an act of humility, on April 18, 1946, Shuba extended his outstretched hand after Robinson hit a home run. The greeting between Black and white players on the baseball diamond was unprecedented at the time. Shuba simply expressed that it was, "the right thing to do!"

While Robinson became a civil rights advocate after an impressive professional baseball career, it should be noted that Shuba championed and promoted equality and inclusion before these became modern-day buzzwords for diversity efforts.

The towering seven-foot statue, designed by sculptor Marc Mellon of Connecticut, commemorating the interracial handshake is featured prominently in the public space between the Covelli Centre and the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.

Our Valley is indebted to the ardent leadership and generous benefactors which made this public tribute a reality in midst of the pandemic. The collective energy of former Vindicator Regional Manager Ernie Brown, First Ward Councilman Julius Oliver, businessman Herb Washington, George Shuba's son Mike Shuba and former Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber Vice President Eric Planey promoted the vision of hopefulness and kindness for each other.

The generosity of the Youngstown Foundation led the effort. The pandemic stalled fundraising however a feature story on CBS Sunday Morning inspired Sally Bany who realized this was the hometown of her late father Neal Boyle. Expressing this would be an endeavor he would embrace, Sally obtained $175,000 from her family's charitable foundation to provide the rest of the needed funds.

Her family operates the publicly traded Columbia Sportswear Co. that manufactures and distributes outerwear, sportswear, and footwear, camping equipment, ski apparel and outerwear accessories. Notice how the connectedness of Youngstown's deep and rich history is uncovered.

Attributed to Aesop, a Greek storyteller and immortalized by Shuba, we should remember that "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Fought a good fight and kept the faith!

Faith recently became sight for Pastor Lock P. Beachum Jr. who longed for the Savior's appearance. He was the beloved pastor of the Liberty campus of Victory Christian Center and the chief financial officer of the Victory Christian Center network.

After a valiant battle with cancer, Pastor Lock received his ultimate healing. The outpouring of tributes is a reflection of his impact on our community. His actions reflected a caring heart, generous attitude and a fun-loving personality. He made everyone feel like they were his best friend!

I shared via my social media platform the reality that losses of this magnitude greatly impact faith leaders as well as laity. Pastor Kenneth Donaldson of the Rising Star Baptist Church summed it up well noting that those who shepherd God's people are not super-human. We hurt, we bleed and even die believing God is able to heal but sometimes not receiving physical healing. We cry and grieve over losses; we get angry at God when He does not respond as we think He should. We are men/women of God who serve a good God but sometimes we have questions that will go unanswered and yet we must come to the resolve that God knows best. We resolve to trust Him in the dark while we serve His people, KNOWING THAT, our labor in the Lord is not in vain!

Pastor Sherri Prince of Canton issues an appropriate challenge to those who will uphold the brilliant radiating light of Pastor Lock's legacy, She cites that we should "commit in our hearts to continue the heritage of Pastor Lock by living each day how he loved, applying what he taught and caring about Kingdom matters the way he demonstrated daily."

While we mourn his passing, we rejoice knowing he is no longer enduring pain and suffering. For those of us who are alive and remain, Vickie Winans shares an even greater hope in the song "We Shall Behold."

The Victory Christian Center Coitsville Campus, 3899 McCartney Road, Lowellville will host all activities. Public visitation will be held Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 10-11 a.m. The Celebration of Life Services will be Friday at 11 a.m.

Please continue to pray and lift up the Beachum Family, especially his soul mate Gloria; his children Brandon, Patterson and Nyomi; his parents, veteran educators and civic leaders Lock Sr. and Janice Womack Beachum; and the congregation of the Victory Christian Center.

Rev. Morris W. Lee Avenue dedication ceremony

The historic Third Baptist Church will have a special dedication service for the renaming of a portion of Parkhill Drive to Rev. Morris W. Lee Avenue today at the close of morning service at approximately 12:45 pm.

In addition to being a pastor, the Rev. Lee was a respected community leader and a civil rights activist. Dr. Lee, who passed away in 2019, was the past moderator of the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association, director of Music for the Ohio General Baptist Convention, chairman of the Trumbull Baptist Neighborhood Ministries Committee, president of the Youngstown Ministerial Association and president of the Mahoning Valley Council of Churches.

The date of the ceremony coincides with what would have been Rev. Lee's 61st anniversary as pastor and the church's 147th anniversary.

Drive-thru food drive

To promote awareness of breast cancer while responding to community needs, there will be a contactless drive-thru food drive on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 1-4 p.m. at the DMHD Family Practice, 1320 Belmont Ave. All donated can goods and non-perishable food items will benefit the persons served by Protestant Family Services. For additional information or to arrange for larger quantity donations, contact Cynthia Davis Taylor or Ann Rouse at 330-788-9041

Souls to the Polls

There will be an Early Voting Rally at the Mahoning County Board of Elections, 345 Oakhill Ave., on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 1-5 p.m. to promote civic participation in the 2021 General Election. Remember: Every vote counts!

Children are a heritage from the LORD

Our family is blessed to announce the recent birth of a healthy grandson.

He shares the name of the preaching prophet Jeremiah who called to deliver God's message to Judah. The prophet was initially reluctant to accept his assignment however God told him, "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb." God reiterates this message in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

As our grandson is presented to God, by his parents, it is our prayer that God will guild them in nurturing him into his destiny.

To encourage you

As a psalmist and worshipper, David offers Psalms 121:1-8 which provides us the help to meet the challenges and the hope to accept the opportunities of each new day. Noted as a fearless warrior, he observes, "I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."

Benediction

O, Lord, please deliver Your people from debt, deception, disgust, denial, disillusion, disaster, danger, depression & demons this day … while we continue to strive as we keep the faith. Amen!

— The Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II serves as the lead pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, chaplain for the Youngstown Police Department, president of the Baptist Pastors Council and the local coordinator for the African American Male Wellness Walk of the Mahoning Valley. He resides in Youngstown with Dorothy, his partner in marriage and ministry. They share the love and joy of six children and eight grandchildren and their mischievous canine, Sir Winston.

— All biblical citations are New Living Translation unless noted otherwise.

This story was originally published October 17, 2021 at 6:00 AM with the headline "KEEPING THE FAITH | Lessons in humility in the ‘The Handshake of the Century’."