Weekly Socials with Irina Perry

Irina Perry

By Irina Perry

Youth Empowerment and Mental Health Awareness Event Brings Community Together in Columbus

An inspiring evening dedicated to mental health awareness, youth empowerment, and community unity took place on March 16 at 2300 S. Hamilton Rd. in Columbus, bringing together residents, advocates, performers, and small businesses for a celebration of resilience, creativity, and inclusion.

Organized by Niaa Jay, the event created a welcoming space where individuals from all backgrounds could gather to support mental health awareness and encourage young people to express themselves through art, performance, and community engagement.

Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was filled with love, encouragement, and positive energy. One of the most heartwarming highlights was a karaoke performance by individuals with disabilities, whose confidence and enthusiasm captured the spirit of the event and received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Music played a central role in keeping the celebration lively. DJ Derek Payne kept the energy flowing with uplifting music that brought attendees together on the dance floor and helped create an environment of joy and connection.

The event also featured a model showcase performance, which drew excitement from the crowd. The models delivered a powerful and inspiring presentation that celebrated confidence, individuality, and self-expression—values that align closely with the event’s message of youth empowerment and mental wellness.

Self-Love, Community, and Celebration: Cleveland Event Brings Women and Small Businesses Together

An atmosphere of encouragement, empowerment, and community spirit filled the room during the “Minding My Own Small Business – Self Love Event” held in Cleveland, Ohio. The gathering brought together entrepreneurs, speakers, performers, and community members for a day focused on personal growth, self-confidence, and small-business support.

The event welcomed attendees from Cleveland and surrounding areas, including vendors who traveled to share their products and connect with the community. Tables decorated with bright colors and gift bags reflected the uplifting spirit of the event, where guests enjoyed meaningful conversations, networking opportunities, and inspiring messages.

At the heart of the program was a panel of powerful women speakers, who shared insights about self-love, resilience, and the journey of entrepreneurship. Their discussions encouraged attendees to embrace their strengths, invest in their well-being, and pursue their dreams with confidence.

The event also featured live dance performances by the Golden Girls, whose energetic routines brought excitement and joy to the audience. Their performance was a reminder that celebration, creativity, and community engagement play an important role in empowering individuals.

Guests enjoyed food, raffles, and opportunities to shop from local small-business vendors, supporting entrepreneurs while strengthening connections within the community. Events like this continue to highlight how small businesses contribute not only to economic growth but also to the social and cultural fabric of neighborhoods.

A special acknowledgment goes to Lucille Golden, whose vision and dedication made the event possible. Through her leadership and commitment to bringing people together, she created a welcoming space where women could support one another, celebrate their achievements, and build meaningful relationships.

The “Minding My Own Small Business – Self Love Event” served as more than a gathering—it was a reminder that when communities come together to uplift one another, powerful change can happen.

For many attendees, the event left a lasting message: self-love, community support, and entrepreneurship can go hand in hand to inspire a brighter future.

A Community Remembers: The Life of Duk Guragai and a Call for Justice

The community of Reynoldsburg is mourning the loss of a familiar and kind presence after a tragic hit-and-run incident on Thursday, March 12, at approximately 9:40 PM near the intersection of East Main Street and Rosehill Road.

Duk Guragai

The victim, now identified as Duk Guragai, was remembered by many in the community as someone who greeted people with warmth and kindness. Though he experienced homelessness, Duk was known for something far greater than his circumstances — his humanity.

People who encountered him around the neighbourhood recall the same gestures: a warm smile, a friendly greeting, and a sincere wish for others to have a good day.

“Good morning.”
“How are you?”
“Happy Holidays.”

These simple words became part of the daily rhythm for many residents who passed through the area. For some, Duk was a quiet but constant reminder that kindness can exist even in the most difficult circumstances.

But for his family, Duk was much more than a familiar face in the neighborhood.

In a message shared with the community, a family member expressed the deep pain of losing someone they loved dearly.

“It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of my cousin, Duk Guragai, who left us yesterday at 8:45 PM. Duk was born on November 21, 1988, in Bhutan. He was a kind, genuine soul who touched the lives of many.

He tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run incident, and we are still waiting for more details. This sudden loss has been incredibly difficult for our family.

Duk had been quietly fighting his own battles. Many of us knew he was struggling, and we wish we could have done more to help. To me, he was more than just a cousin — he was like a brother and a dear friend. I will always cherish the memories we shared.

Please keep Duk and our family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We will share updates about the funeral arrangements once more information becomes available. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

The sudden loss of Duk Guragai has left both family members and the Reynoldsburg community grieving and searching for answers.

Leaving the scene of a crash is not only illegal — it is a painful abandonment of responsibility. When someone’s life is taken and the driver flees, families and communities are left with grief, unanswered questions, and a deep sense of injustice.

Residents across Reynoldsburg are now calling for stronger awareness, accountability, and solutions to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.

Community members believe that improving street lighting, expanding traffic cameras, encouraging witnesses to come forward, and strengthening enforcement against hit-and-run drivers are important steps toward protecting lives. Many also hope that this tragedy will encourage drivers to understand the seriousness of their actions and the responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel.

But beyond policy discussions and investigations, people are remembering Duk himself.

They remember his kindness.
They remember his smile.
They remember the simple greetings that brightened someone’s day.

This tragedy is a reminder that every person in our community deserves dignity, safety, and respect — regardless of their circumstances.

While Duk Guragai’s life was taken too soon, the memory of his kindness continues to live in the hearts of those who knew him, even briefly.

As the city reflects on this loss, many hope this moment will inspire meaningful action to ensure that no life is forgotten and that those responsible for such tragedies are held accountable — so that our community never loses its sense of justice.