From the Director’s Chair
A message from the Executive Director, Tamar Forrest, PHD.
Central Community House is proud to reside in a cultural hub for the local African American community, centered around the arts, vibrant churches, entrepreneurship, and the development of cultural institutions that celebrate its history and the talents of those that have come before, and grace our presence today. Past leaders and current change-makers have persevered despite the trauma that has come with migrations, marginalization, and segregation. While the neighborhood is changing in both positive and challenging ways, Central seeks to remain a place for all in the Near East – those who have lived here for decades, those newly joining our community, and those with roots here but now living in other Columbus neighborhoods. As has been the case with all historical transitions, Settlement Houses like Central are vital to the formation of a united and thriving community. While so much work is needed to continue to work toward these objectives, we are thankful to be surrounded by individuals, businesses, and organizations who commit their lives to social justice and bettering our community. While we celebrate Black history all year, this month we have chosen to celebrate two local partners that do the good work, and are committed to a strong Near East – Julialynne Walker, and John W and Romana Battiste.
Julialynne Walker
After receiving her undergraduate degree, Julialynne Walker moved to Africa to teach in Tanzania, an experience that taught her she needed to become better prepared if she was going to work towards systemic change in struggling communities. She later became involved with the liberation movement in South Africa, moving there after the end of apartheid and contributing to social change through conducting diversity and inclusion training and AIDS advocacy. She stayed for 15 years before returning to Ohio. Walker’s experience and talents span across an amazing number of fields -- she has been a teacher, lawyer, trailblazer, librarian, school administrator, and public health professional. Currently, she bridges together all of her gifts to strengthen neighborhood cohesion in Bronzeville through community gardening as the manager of Bronzeville Growers Market & Agricademy.
“This is family. Central Community House is family, and, with family, you can tell stories.”
Julialynne Walker
John W & Ramona Battiste
This husband and wife duo were a part of The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. They led campaigns to register citizens to vote and to even test the rights to access public accommodations. They led local boycotts to bring attention to the hideous conditions in local Black schools and laid their lives on the line to better the lives of Black people. These two are local giants and a part of our roots in what makes Bronzeville special. The Battiste family has the longest run, full service, Black owned floral shop in the city, Battiste LaFleur Galleria. The shop is located in Bronzeville at 825 E. Long St.
