By 
Irina Perry
By Irina Perry
A Memoir of Faith, Resilience, and Purpose
Some stories stay with us long after we turn the final page. Leaving Home, a memoir by Lucienne Jawo, is one of those stories.
At first glance, readers may expect a story about immigrating from The Gambia to the United States. While that journey serves as an important backdrop, Leaving Home is much more than an immigration story. It is a deeply personal memoir that explores faith, resilience, sacrifice, family, and the search for purpose through life’s unexpected twists and turns.
With honesty and courage, Jawo reflects on the challenges and opportunities that shaped her path. She shares the emotional realities of leaving behind everything familiar and stepping into a new world filled with uncertainty, hope, and possibility. Through each chapter, readers witness the determination required to navigate change while remaining grounded in faith and perseverance.
What makes Leaving Home particularly powerful is its authenticity. Jawo does not simply recount events; she invites readers into her experiences, lessons, and reflections. Her memoir illustrates how adversity can become a source of strength and how life’s most difficult moments often reveal our deepest purpose.
The themes woven throughout the book are universal. Whether readers are immigrants, first-generation Americans, or individuals facing their own personal transitions, they will find inspiration in Jawo’s story. Her journey serves as a reminder that resilience is built through challenges, faith can sustain us through uncertainty, and sacrifice often opens doors to new opportunities.
Leaving Home is ultimately a memoir about transformation. It is a story of courage, hope, and the enduring belief that every challenge carries the potential for growth. Through her personal journey, Lucienne Jawo offers readers a heartfelt reminder that sometimes leaving home is the first step toward discovering who we are meant to become.
For anyone seeking a memoir that is both inspiring and deeply human, Leaving Home is a compelling read that speaks to the power of perseverance, faith, and purpose.
Pathfinder & Adventurer Day Inspires Youth and Celebrates Achievement
It was an inspiring and memorable day for everyone who attended the Pathfinder & Adventurer Day celebration at Ephesus SDA Church. Youth of all ages—from the youngest Adventurers to high school Pathfinders—came together for a special day of worship, recognition, and encouragement.
The event featured a powerful message from Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Ministries Director for the Allegheny West Conference, who challenged young people to remain faithful, committed, and focused on their purpose.
One of the highlights of the day was the graduation and achievement recognition ceremony. Young participants received special acknowledgment for their hard work, dedication, and growth throughout the year. Under the leadership of Allen Earl and other Pathfinder and Adventurer leaders, students were celebrated for reaching important milestones in their spiritual, academic, and personal development.
Families, church members, and community supporters gathered to applaud the accomplishments of these young leaders, creating an atmosphere filled with pride, encouragement, and hope for the future.
Pathfinder & Adventurer Day served as a reminder of the vital role youth programs play in building character, leadership, service, and faith in the next generation. Through mentorship, education, and spiritual guidance, leaders like Allen Earl continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people and their families.
Columbus Leaders Mark Pride and Juneteenth with Call for Unity, Equality, and Action
Community leaders, elected officials, and LGBTQ+ advocates gathered Friday morning at Stonewall Columbus to kick off Pride Weekend with a discussion focused on public policy, equality, and protecting LGBTQ+ rights across Ohio.
The event, held on Juneteenth, highlighted the shared themes of freedom, inclusion, and justice while bringing together local and state leaders before one of the nation’s largest Pride celebrations.
Stonewall Columbus Executive Director Donovan Forrester welcomed attendees, noting that the organization has served the community for 41 years and continues to be a cornerstone of advocacy, education, and support for LGBTQ+ residents.
“We are excited to celebrate Pride this weekend in Columbus,” Forrester said. “Thank you all for joining us as we continue working together to build a stronger and more inclusive community.”
Pride: A Celebration and a Protest
Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin emphasized that while Pride is a celebration, it also remains rooted in activism.
“The first Pride was a protest,” Hardin said. “Tomorrow we will celebrate, we’ll party, but we’ll also protest. Before we celebrate, we need to talk about policy.”
Hardin stressed the importance of bringing together openly LGBTQ+ elected officials and advocates from communities across Ohio to coordinate efforts in response to legislation affecting LGBTQ+ residents.
He acknowledged that many Ohioans travel from communities where acceptance remains a challenge and said Columbus has become a place where many feel welcomed and safe.
State Representative Addresses Proposed Legislation
State Representative Christine Cockley, who represents Ohio House District 6 and is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, discussed legislation currently under consideration in the Ohio General Assembly that she said would directly affect LGBTQ+ Ohioans.
She referenced proposed legislation addressing drag performances and another proposal involving school policies on students’ preferred names and pronouns. Cockley also highlighted legislative proposals introduced by House Democrats aimed at banning conversion therapy, strengthening hate crime protections, and expanding anti-discrimination protections.
“As a state representative and a member of the queer community, it is my honor to fight for the rights and dignity of all LGBTQ+ Ohioans,” she said.
Cockley reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for inclusive policies and protecting vulnerable communities.
Equality Ohio Highlights Intersectionality
Wayne Stewart, Executive Director of Equality Ohio, reflected on the significance of Pride and Juneteenth occurring on the same day.
“As a gay Black man, I do not experience racism on Monday and homophobia on Tuesday,” Stewart said. “I experience them together.”
Stewart spoke about the historical legacy of William Dorsey Swann, recognized by many historians as one of the earliest known drag performers and LGBTQ+ activists in the United States, explaining that Black history and LGBTQ+ history have long been interconnected.
He outlined Equality Ohio’s priorities, including:
- Opposing discriminatory legislation.
- Expanding access to health care.
- Promoting workplace fairness.
- Providing legal assistance for transgender Ohioans.
- Strengthening civic engagement and voter participation.
- Supporting local LGBTQ+ communities throughout Ohio.
Stewart noted that Equality Ohio’s legal partnership with TransOhio has assisted more than 1,000 transgender Ohioans over the past year.
LGBTQ+ Affairs Commission Focuses on Community Voices
Vice Chair Thomas Savage of the City of Columbus LGBTQ+ Affairs Commission shared updates on the commission’s first months of work since its official launch earlier this year.
Savage said the commission serves as an advisory body to the Mayor’s Office and Columbus City Council but emphasized that its primary mission is serving LGBTQ+ residents throughout Columbus.
He announced a community listening session scheduled for June 25 at Columbus City Hall and said commissioners plan to expand outreach into neighborhoods across the city.
“What we really aim to do is give people an authentic voice in local government,” Savage said.
Standing Together Across Ohio
Closing the press conference, Council President Hardin emphasized the importance of statewide collaboration among LGBTQ+ leaders and advocates.
He noted that many of the hundreds of thousands of attendees expected at Columbus Pride come from communities throughout Ohio where LGBTQ+ residents may face greater challenges.
“I want them to know that they are not alone,” Hardin said. “We stand ready and willing to partner because the fight certainly is not over.”
As Columbus prepares for one of the nation’s largest Pride celebrations, speakers repeatedly emphasized that Pride remains both a celebration of progress and a continuing call to action in pursuit of equality, inclusion, and justice for all Ohioans.
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