Black American Descendants of the Great Migration and U.S. Freedmen

Get Involved
Neighbors gather in a local green space to celebrate local history and generational wealth through community development.

Our Mission

Learn how residents, elders, and youth collaborate to shape Summit Lake’s future together.

About

We organize Summit Lake descendants of the Great Migration and U.S. Freedmen to build power, protect culture, expand civic participation, and secure community-driven development and generational wealth in Akron, Ohio.

Join us
A close-up of a sturdy, well-worn community bulletin board made of cork and framed in dark wood, completely covered with colorful flyers and neatly pinned notices. Prominent among them is a professionally printed poster reading “Summit Lake Civic Engagement Initiative” beside one titled “Black American Descendants of the Great Migration & U.S. Freedmen.” Pins, paper edges, and layered textures are captured in high detail. The board is mounted on a softly painted, neutral wall in a community center hallway. Overhead fluorescent lighting is diffused, creating even illumination without harsh glare. Photographic realism, shot straight on with sharp focus across the entire board, evoking an active, organized hub of information and opportunity without showing any human figures.
A large, detailed neighborhood map of the Summit Lake area printed on slightly textured matte paper, spread across a dark wooden community table. The map highlights streets, parks, and the lakeshore in rich, natural colors, with clear labels for historic Black neighborhoods and civic landmarks. Soft, indirect daylight from a nearby window washes over the map, creating gentle shadows at the paper’s curled edges. A polished metal fountain pen rests near a marked “Summit Lake” label, and a slim leather-bound notebook lies partly open in the background. Photographic realism, shot from a slightly elevated angle with sharp focus throughout, conveying a professional, organized, and hopeful atmosphere centered on local civic engagement and place-based identity.

Our Board of Trustees

Dr. Lisa Brown, Executive Director

Sandra Saulsberry, Summit Lake CDC

Pastor John and First Lady Debra Glenn, Community Friends Church

Darrin Brown, Veterans Advocacy

Marissa Molina, Health and Wellness/Senior Care

Steven C. Cannon, Project Manager

Dr. Gary Wyatt, Community Affairs & Nonprofits

Dr. Paulette Isaac-Savage, Adult Education

Mansur Buffins, P-12 Education

Dr. Mattyna Stephens, Qualitative Research