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Who should be honored on the Youngstown Walk of Fame? We have some ideas

By Staff report Mahoning Matters

June 29, 2023 1:54 PM

Did you know Youngstown has its own Walk of Fame?

Robert and Ronald Bell, members of Youngstown’s Kool and the Gang were selected as the first star, they’ll be honored Saturday with a ceremony downtown.

Who would you pick to be the next nominee?

Here are a few ideas for who we would nominate, let us know who else should be on the list by sending an email to news@mahoningmatters.com.

We’re putting together a poll for our readers to vote on in the next few weeks.

We will present more nominees next week.

Amy Acton

Youngstown native and former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton led weekly COVID-19 health updates for Ohioans with Gov. Mike DeWine during the first year of the pandemic.

She recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown at the Women’s Hall of Fame reception at the JCC of Youngstown.

Bob DiPiero

After graduating from Liberty High School and Youngstown State University, Bob DiPiero wrote over a thousand songs recorded by other artists, including countless hit singles and an astounding 15 Number 1 hits.

He’s a Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter and on the Nashville Walk of Fame, but has consistently come back to benefit those in need and help Youngstown organizations like the Sojourner House.

Nathan Mays

This Youngstown State University QB sustained an ankle injury earlier in the season and received help from his teammates to take his final snap in the team’s closing game against the Illinois State Redbirds.

Mays and his teammates were featured on ESPN broadcast channels in 2019 after a victory against Illinois State Redbirds.

Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini

Before becoming a world champion boxer, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini grew up in Youngstown and started boxing at the age of 18.

Inspired by his father Lenny’s dream of amateur boxing, Ray fought in a “whirlwind punching style” that gave him the edge over contenders with a 23-5 record.

Mancini was recently inducted into the National Boxing Hall of Fame. He held the World Boxing Association Lightweight belt from 1982-1984. He’s an advocate for mental health.

Ed O’Neill

Beloved hometown actor Ed O’Neill was on “Modern Family” and “Married... with Children.” He went to Ursuline High School and later studied theater at Youngstown State University.

The first stages he performed on were at YSU and the Youngstown Playhouse. O’Neill is heavily involved in his hometown.

Jackie Popovec

She’s the lead singer and songwriter for The Vindys, Youngstown-based band gaining popularity across the state. Popovec founded The Vindys in 2014 with co-founding member John Anthony who plays guitar and sing vocals.

Popovec started writing her own music and performing her songs with more musicians including Rick Deak on guitar, drummer Owen Davis, bassist Brendan Burke, keyboardist Nathan Anthony and the Youngstown Horns. Check here for upcoming concerts.

Michael Morritz Jr.

Originally from Youngstown, Morritz Jr. has received nominations for Tony and Grammy awards as co-producer of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway.

He’s also a pianist and vocal coach, seen on the Broadway stage as on-stage piano and vocals in A Night With Janis Joplin.\

Omarosa (Omarosa Manigault Newman)

Omarosa is a former political aide to former U.S. president Donald Trump and has appeared on reality TV shows like The Apprentice and Big Brother.

The actress and producer grew up in Youngstown.

Who else should be on our list?

We will share more nominees next week.

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