Loveland Magazine

Tag: Larry Hamilton

  • [A Video Archive] Celebrating the Black women of Loveland, Ohio

    [A Video Archive] Celebrating the Black women of Loveland, Ohio

    David Miller is the Publisher and Editor of Loveland Magazine

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – On Sunday, March 20, the First Missionary Baptist Church on Main Street invited Loveland native and historian Larry Hamilton, Jr. to lecture on the historical importance of the Black Women of Loveland. The occasion was to honor International Woman’s Day and Women’s History Month.

    Hamilton now lives in Piqua, Ohio. He is a retired high school teacher and a member of the Loveland Schools Foundation “Hall of Fame”. He is the author of three books and graduated from Loveland High School in 1967.

    Larry Hamilton

    Hamilton taught courses in African American History, World Studies, and Current Events at Piqua High School. His tenure of teaching African American History for 30 straight years may be the longest consecutive period of teaching the subject at a predominately white high school anywhere in the country. He was selected for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, was awarded the Ohio Tri-County NAACP’s Martin Luther King Outstanding African American Award, as well as the state of Ohio’s MLK Cultural Awareness Award in 2005.

    In his talk, Hamilton traces the path of African American women from slavery to their migration to Loveland. Hamilton presented slides of “Bill of Sale of Slaves” and an appraisement inventory from court proceedings of May, 1855 that lists Elizabeth (age 60) as “old woman worth nothing”.

    Loveland Magazine attended the Sunday morning service that was devoted to Hamilton’s presentation to record the event so this important history lesson could be archived on our pages. As Hamilton said, “Our Black history is Loveland’s history.”

    At the end of the service, Deanna Todd, who is the Assistant Principal of the Mason Middle School sings the Lift Every Voice and Sing, the Black National Anthem.

    View slides used in the Hamilton’s lecture Video

    Right click an image to open a new tab and see a larger view

    To learn more about Black History in Loveland

    These LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEOS are from a conversation between Paula Oguah, and Larry Hamilton about the early history of the Loveland Predestinarian Baptist Church (LPBC). The conversation took place in the Loveland Magazine TV Studio.

    This STORY and accompanying videos represent 3 months of study, interviews, and research into the chronological record of this historic Loveland landmark.

    Hamilton a native of Loveland is a retired teacher of African American History, World Studies, and Current Events who now lives in Piqua, OH. His family was intimately involved in the founding of LPBC and the construction of the church building. He is the author of Lucy’s Story – Right Choices But Wrongs Still Left, the historical account of his great-great-grandmother — a slave during the Civil War, who later lived and died in Loveland. Hamilton was a baptized member of LPBC and his grandmother Esther Hannon Hamilton taught his Sunday school class.

    Oguah is “Forth Generation Loveland” and a former resident, livied only one block from the Church. She travels often to Africa, and was an attorney with a private practice in Loveland. She grew up in Loveland, and her familiy, the Cobbs, were also intimately involved in the earliest of the Church’s history. Oguah’s family at one time was considered a backbone of the Loveland social and business community. Oguah’s great-grandfather Dennis Cobb reportedly helped lay the stone foundation to the church, and she was married in the church.

  • Lawrence (Larry) Edwin Hamilton: An opportunity to promote The RIGHT Concept

    Lawrence (Larry) Edwin Hamilton: An opportunity to promote The RIGHT Concept

    This is the acceptance speech that Loveland-born Lawrence (Larry) Edwin Hamilton Jr. gave when he was honored as a Distinguished Alumni and inducted into the Loveland Schools Foundation Hall of Fame on September 21. Hamilton was introduced by his son Lawrence Hamilton III.

    James Baldwin wrote, “History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history.”  

    Larry Hamilton

    I thank my son for the beautiful introduction and his divinely appointed role as a father and teacher in service to the community as well as the inspiration in part for an inclusive historical heritage. His oldest son is named Omavi which means the Highest gift from GOD and Asali his youngest son’s name means one who honors the ancestors.  I recognize the presence of my uncle the Rev. Ralph Hamilton, the last survivor of the children of Esther Hannon Hamilton who was surrounded by a family of distinguished teachers and preachers and finally I am blessed to have my living history making and loving mother Mary F. Greene Hamilton the oldest surviving elder at a soon to be 94 years young. It is her biological legacy, by way of her mitochondrial DNA that give me historical connection to the Nubians of the Nile Valley and southern Egypt. 

     Larry Hamilton, a native of Loveland, Ohio, is a retired teacher of African American History, World Studies and Current Events from Piqua, OH.

    Larry graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Education in 1971 from Central State University where he was a member of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society and President of Delta Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

    He earned a Masters Degree in Education from Wright State University in 1979

    When I received the letter from Linda Slusher notifying me of my selection to the Loveland Schools Foundation Hall of Fame, I was humbled that I would be considered and wrote her back that If the LORD is willing I intend to come in recognition of the sacrifice and struggle on behalf of those whose shoulders I have stood upon and who have made a way for me to honor them in Doing the RIGHT Thing.

    Every morning, after I arise and stumble toward the kitchen for my morning cup of coffee, I then sit and turn on my computer and the screensaver is a picture of my great grandmother Cynthia Ann Ross Hannon, whose family had moved to Loveland by 1890 but she returned to Kentucky after attending Berea College to teach black children at the Colored School in Gallatin County, perhaps because she wouldn’t have been allowed to teach in Loveland.

    Linda, I thank you personally and the members of the Loveland Schools Foundation collectively for this surprising recognition and opportunity to promote The RIGHT Concept.

    RIGHT stands for Recognizing Individual Greatness in Historical Testament.

    RIGHT stands for Recognizing Individual Greatness in Historical Testament.  This concept was given to me as an epiphany on the early Sunday morning of Jan. 23, of 2005 and employs a biblical standard that embodies the concern over the historical bias in naming patterns and the contemporary artificial barriers limiting the expansion of ownership identity of public properties, to the least among us.  RIGHT seeks to re-evaluate the standards of heroism and societal acceptance of those who may have been deemed not to be valued or worthy of having their names adorn public facilities.   RIGHT advocates a proactive effort in naming public properties that is more reflective of the diversity within the community and that acknowledges from a historical perspective the merit of greater inclusion with regards to race, gender, ethnic and national origin in expanding ownership identity.

    The declining prospects for saving the Loveland Predestinarian Baptist Church falls within the parameter of Doing the RIGHT Thing.

    The declining prospects for saving the Loveland Predestinarian Baptist Church falls within the parameter of Doing the RIGHT Thing. My personal remembrances and the family legacy associated with that church,  that I had attended as a child, and my father before me, and His mother before him, my grandma Esther, who had been my Sunday School teacher.  Her mother Cynthia the teacher later married John W. Hannon who would pastor the Loveland church for nearly fifty years.  Cynthia’s, mother was Lucy Sams Ross who was born a slave in Kentucky and had weathered many storms of life in the form of personal losses, social indignities and political denials, but her faith was her refuge and shortly after migrating to Ohio she became a founding member of the Loveland Predestinarian Baptist Church in 1892.  https://lovelandmagazine.com/2012/07/a-historic-review-of-chest-street-church.html 

    In the release of Book III of Lucy’s Story the cover painted by wife Linda, depicts two women-one white and one black (Helen Medert & Mary Sidney Wells) two ‘prayer warriors’ during the 1913 Loveland Flood. My great uncle Dee Ross, the son of Lucy and brother to Cynthia, was a hero of that 1913 flood story in Loveland but I believe, he went unrecognized for his heroism due to his skin color, but I am committed to telling his story and OUR Story while ‘keeping the faith’ and doing the RIGHT thing. 

    I have gifted my fellow inductees with a copy of Book II of Lucy’s Story Between Two Suns: The Berean Experience and I wish to donate a copy of Book III of Lucy’s Story to the Loveland High School Library as a donation by Linda Slusher.

    As I prepare to take my seat, I’ll close and ask your consideration of a brief poem titled:

    YOUR ANCESTORS

    If you could see your ancestors all standing in a row.

    Would you be proud of them? Or don’t you really know.

    Strange discoveries are often made, climbing the family tree.

    Sometimes one is found in line who shocks the progeny.

    If you could see your ancestors all standing in a row.

    Perhaps there might be one or two you wouldn’t care to know.

    Now turn the question right about and take another view.

    When you shall meet your ancestors, will they be proud of you?

    (Author unknown)

    Follow this LINK to hear Lawrence Hamilton III introducing his father.

  • Loveland Schools’ distinguished alumni honored at annual dinner

    Loveland Schools’ distinguished alumni honored at annual dinner

    FOUR TO BE INDUCTED IN SEPTEMBER

    Loveland, Ohio – For many years, Loveland Schools have produced outstanding graduates who have excelled in their professional and personal lives and have had an impact on their communities, society, and the lives of others on a local, national and global level. It is the purpose of the Loveland Schools Foundation to identify these individuals, recognize then and to make current Loveland students, employees of the school district and the Loveland community as a whole aware of their qualities and accomplishments. The following four individuals will be inducted into the Loveland Schools Foundation “Hall of Fame” on Friday evening, September 21, at the Oasis Golf and Conference Center.  

    COLONEL (DR.) JEFFREY SCOTT CALDER

    Colonel (Dr.) Jeffrey Scott Calder, Loveland Class of 1984, received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps graduating from Miami University in 1988. He earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1992 on a Health Professions Scholarship. He completed residency in general surgery at Wright State University in 1997. After moving up the ranks from Staff General Surgeon he received his promotion to Colonel in May of 2010.  

    He has attended the Air War College, and the Aerospace Medicine Primary Course as well as others as he continued his Professional Military Education.

    Scott has served both at home and abroad, accepting his first overseas assignment to Misawa AB, Japan in July 1997. Later he was assigned to Bitburg AB, Germany where he was the Surgical Services Flight Commander. He served in Oman in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and later in Afghanistan and Italy. American shore assignments have included Barksdale AFB, LA, San Antonia – Lackland, Texas and Florida.

    He holds an Unrestricted Medical License from the State Medical Board of Ohio, is Board Certified, American Board of Surgery and is a Certified Physician Executive.

    During his years of service Colonel Calder has received numerous decorations and awards:  Meritorious Service with five oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, The Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, The Humanitarian Service Medal, the NATO Medal, as well as 13 additional decorations and eight Awards for leadership and excellence in his service to our country.

    Colonel Calder is a fellow, American College of Surgeons, a Certified Physician Executive, American College of Physician Executives and is board certified in General Surgery.  He is a Senior Flight Surgeon with 409.5 flying hours in 10 aircraft.

    LARRY HAMILTON

    Larry Hamilton is a native of Loveland and a Loveland High School graduate in 1967. He is a retired teacher of African American History, World Studies and Current Events from Piqua, Ohio. Mr. Hamilton is a founding member of the African American Genealogy Group on the Miami Valley and is a presenter on family history and genealogy.

    He was selected for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and was awarded the Ohio Tri-County NAACP’s Martin Luther King Outstanding African American Award as well as the state of Ohio’s MLK Cultural Awareness Award in 2005.

    Mr. Hamilton authored a book in August of 2009 titled Lucy’s Story: Right Choices But Wrongs Still Left. Book II of Lucy’s Story became available in November of 2011 and the trilogy was completed with the release of Book III in January of 2013 titled Refuge from the Deluge: On Being Railroaded.  This heroic story commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Loveland/Little Miami Flood of 1913 and a struggle for justice, equality and inclusion in Ohio’s Upper Miami Valley relating to the Randolph Freedmen, one of the largest manumissions in U.S. History.

    He continues to make presentations about his book series, Lucy’s Story, and family history research in support of his interest in genealogy as well as his work for equality among all.

    DAVID LITTERAL

    A 1980 graduate of Loveland High School, David has given over thirty-three years of honorable service to the United States Army Medical Department, culminating as the Commandant of the Army’s Medical Noncommissioned Officer Academy. He has served on the home front as well as in Iraq where he was the Enlisted Personnel Director of the U.S. Army, 10th Combat Support Hospital. He also assisted the Iraqi Government in establishing training programs for Medics, Physicians and Nurses as well as planning and executing the pre-deployment training necessary to ensure mission success at six locations across Iraq.

    David implemented the training programs for Advanced and Senior Leader Noncommissioned Officer Courses for the Army Medical Department which earned a rating as TRADOC Institute of Excellence.

    He received his Doctorate of Psychology in 2014 and was an Adjunct Instructor at both Kentucky Christian University and Morgan Community College. He served as Chief Instructor, Department of Combat Medic Training, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

    During his many years of service he has acquired numerous medals among which are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 campaign stars) and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Currently David is Director of Military Initiatives for Morehead State University, Morehead, KY.

    KEVIN TAYLOR 

     A graduate of Loveland High School in 1972, Kevin Taylor has devoted his life to teaching, coaching and inspiring youth to attain their highest goals.  A native of Loveland, he has spent over 45 years as a member of the “Tiger Family” as a student, teacher, coach, Assistant Athletic Director and Facilities Manager.  He has been a role model for generations of students and has provided them with lifelong experiences that go beyond the classroom. He provides faculty, staff and students with a sense of history and respect for the “Tiger Tradition.”

    Loveland City Schools produces outstanding graduates who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in their professional and personal lives. Kevin Taylor is this person.

    Mr. Taylor is the founder and chairman of the present Loveland High School Athletic Hall of Fame into which he was inducted in 2016. In retirement he continues to support Tiger athletics. Each year he schedules a banquet and awards ceremony which honors Loveland athletes who, during their high school career, reached high levels of achievement in their chosen sport of sports.

    If you would like additional information about the Loveland Schools Foundation or would like to actively participate, call the Foundation office at  513/774-6228, or email Linda Slusher – Executive Director at slucheli@lovelandschools.org.

    Read more about the Loveland School’s Foundation

    See bios of past honorees

      RP Diamond is the exclusive retailer of LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR Welcome to  RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery located at 370 Loveland Madeira Road.