ABCD unveils its new office plans at its 50th anniversary dinner
CANTON − ABCD, A Better Community Development, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with an awards dinner and an unveiling of its new headquarters, which will be part of the upcoming O'Jays Plaza development on Harrisburg Road NE.
Keith B. Key, CEO of KBK Enterprise of Columbus was the keynote speaker for the dinner held at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel.
Jenny Terrell, an ABCD board member of 35 years, gave a presentation of the organization's 50 years of service. The 2022 annual report was read by ABCD's Board Chair Lydia Lee, who announced that ABCD received a clean audit from an independent group and finished the year in the black.
Awards were presented to Stephen and Sondra Perry, and Chris Goff, CEO of Employers Health. A special recognition award was given to Walter Williams, a member of the O'Jays.
The former Crystal Park Plaza, located in northeast Canton, will be renamed O'Jays Plaza in honor of the singing group. It will include a construction training center, transportation vehicle garage, senior housing, retail space, a museum and a diner.
Service pins for staff and board members were presented, along with gift baskets for those who had 50-year milestones. There also was recognition of student winners of the O'Jays Scholarship.
Music was performed by the Williams Sisters, who sang a medley of O’Jays songs.
ABCD President and CEO Will Dent and his wife, Bonnie, were surprised with news that the new ABCD headquarters will be named the Will Dent Center for Community Economic Development.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ABCD unveils its new office plans at its 50th anniversary dinner
