This year’s ‘A Celebration of Joy’ will reflect CDF-Ohio’s commitment to improving the economic & health outcomes of all young people in Ohio, while celebrating the power of public education as a public good essential to building a free and fair society for all.
Media Contact: John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, CDF Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
COLUMBUS, OH—This month, Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio (CDF-Ohio) will host “A Celebration of Joy” to honor local advocates dedicated to advancing the well-being of young people in Ohio.
On September 18, CDF-Ohio will present its Advocate for Joy Policymaker Award to former Ohio Governors Bob Taft and Ted Strickland for their contributions to education. Taft created the Ohio School Facilities Commission, investing $10 billion to rebuild aging schools, and launched key initiatives like The Building Blocks for Student Success reform plan and OhioReads. Under Strickland’s leadership, Ohio was ranked among the top five states for education by Education Week, and his reform plan expanded student support services, improved school funding, and helped secure a $400 million federal Race to the Top grant.
Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) President Lois Carson will also receive the Advocate for Joy Community Power Builder award. Carson, a proud graduate of Columbus City Schools, also still serves as school secretary in the district. The community leader has also organized impactful programs such as Books on the Bus and annual toy and winter coat drives. In 2021, she was elected State President of OAPSE. She has also served on the union’s statewide executive board since 2013.
The CDF Advocate for Joy Award honors servant leaders that advance Children’s Defense Fund’s mission of building community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy.
For the first time, CDF-Ohio will also honor young people who exemplify resilience, dedication, and demonstrate a calling to public service while supporting youth affected by systemic inequities. CDF-Ohio will present Jordan Deaton with the CDF Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service Award for his work in youth advocacy. Originally launched in 2015 by the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), the award honors the legacy of AYPF founder Samuel Halperin. Children’s Defense Fund acquired AYPF in 2023.
CDF-Ohio State Director Dr. John Stanford said the event will also celebrate public education as a vital public good essential to building a free and fair society for all.
“We are excited to express our gratitude to all educators and support teams, both past and present, who have worked tirelessly to build a strong foundation that has equipped countless children and young people in Ohio to succeed,” Dr. Stanford said. “At this celebration, we will also reaffirm our dedication to fostering a vibrant public education system, ensuring that future generations are provided the opportunity to grow up with dignity, hope, and joy.”
The event will also feature a central Ohio duet performance by high school students Grace Giddens and Preston Hafler, a reading by Cincinnati youth poet Ja Niya Belcher, and a live CDF Freedom Schools® Harambee demonstration led by East Cleveland Neighborhood Center Freedom School Executive Director and former CDF Ella Baker Trainer Jake Streeter, CDF Ella Baker Trainer Ridwan Lawal, and several servant leader interns.
Matt Barnes, the morning co-host of NBC4 Today in Columbus and a native of the city, will serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. He is a dedicated and unwavering advocate for children in Central Ohio.
Event Details: The Ohio State University The Fawcett Center Ballroom 2400 Olentangy River Road Columbus, OH 43210 September 18, 2025 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.