Toledo Faith Leaders to Sign Covenant Supporting Excellence in Education

Daily Dose  |  08/18/2026 4:00 pm

The public is invited to join Toledo-area faith leaders Thursday, August 20, at 1:00 p.m. at Third Baptist Church, 402 Pinewood Ave., for a public signing of the Faith Leaders Covenant Supporting Excellence in Education.

The press conference and covenant signing will give the media and community an opportunity to witness a growing commitment among Toledo's faith leaders to help young people see education as a pathway to opportunity, leadership and a stronger future. 

The covenant is more than a symbolic statement. It commits faith leaders to helping create a community where students and families have access to information, encouragement, resources and trusted adults who can help them navigate educational opportunities.

The initiative is being advanced by the African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio, in collaboration with Third Baptist Church, Toledo Public Schools, Owens Community College, Hope Toledo and UMADAOP of Lucas County. 

"Education is not simply a school issue. It is a community issue," said Dr. Larome Myrick, Board President of the African American Legacy Project. "This covenant gives us an opportunity to turn our faith community's tradition of encouraging, mentoring and opening doors for young people into a more intentional commitment to educational excellence." 

The choice of Third Baptist Church is significant. Founded in 1868, it is one of Toledo's oldest African American institutions and has played an important role in the city's religious, civic and community life for more than a century. 

Faith leaders understand that students often need more than an invitation to pursue college or a career. They need someone to help them understand what is possible, how to get there and where to find help. That philosophy is central to CSU Day Toledo, scheduled for September 26–27, 2026, introducing Toledo-area students and families to Central State University and the broader HBCU experience. 

Faith leaders are being asked to become active partners by identifying students, encouraging families to participate and reinforcing the message that higher education is attainable. 

"This is about opening a door," Myrick said. "It is about replacing uncertainty with information, fear with hope, and making sure a student's economic circumstances do not become the reason they never pursue their dreams."

The Faith Leaders Covenant establishes a future-forward framework for continued collaboration among Toledo's faith community, schools, colleges, nonprofit organizations, community institutions and Central State University to support students.