My EMZ story began in 1951, i was 21 years old. This was during the Great Migration of African Americans traveling from the south, to the north, looking for a better life. I arrived in Cleveland, Ohio, “Fresh off the train, “from Natchez, Mississippi.

My first goal was to find a church home. I found a new church home, ….and a church family at East Mount Zion Baptist Church, originally located on Cedar Ave. ,(under the pasturage of the Rev. William M.Downs). I raised two daughter’s, Regina, and Renita, and one granddaughter, Tamita, through EMZ. We all attended Sunday School faithfully.