On Sunday evening May 3, 2026 Racial Justice NOW and community partners hosted a Community Forum in Dayton, Ohio in response to a police murder of an African American male, and rampant police brutality against the Black community. The event was a tremendous success, attracting around 75 community members and decision makers about why the Dayton City Manager should be fired.
Using large visual diagrams and presentation boards – RJN Associate Ebony Hastings, provided an in-depth training for local citizens on how the city government works, while explaining what the City Manager has done and not done over the last ten years.
Community members had an opportunity to listen and to give feedback. We were delighted to provide refreshments for all 75 attendees from local food trucks- De’Lish, the Wild Banana and SWeet-Ummms. Racial Justice NOW sponsored meals for all attendees. The Community had the opportunity to fellowship and discuss the merits of the presentation. Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss made an appearance in support of the event, and additionally Montgomery County Commissioner Mary McDonald attended the event and listened intently. Two local stations, WDTN and WHIO also attended the event.
“It is with high levels of collaboration and communication that West Dayton citizens will reclaim their self-identity, pride and fortitude needed to take control of our destiny! We own our lived experience, and together, we will decide what it looks like from City Hall to the Streets!” – Kenya Akbar, New Era Dayton
“The Dayton City Manager should be fired for her poor track record in running the city. Racial Justice NOW and Ebony Hastings laid out the case in a way that left no doubt in the mind of the community! The Petition has nearly 200 signatures and it just went up the other day.”
-Hashim Jabar, Co-Executive Director, Racial Justice NOW
CLICK HERE to Sign the Petition to FIRE the DAYTON CITY MANAGER
After the initial press conference on March 30, 2026, following the murder of Reginald Thomas, the Dayton Police Chief resigned after Racial Justice NOW and partners demanded so. To go further, unknown to the broader community, the Dayton Police Chief had another job lined up in Greensboro, North Carolina – but the community there caught wind of what was going on with the murder of Reginal Thomas and hosted a town hall about rescinding his offer.
Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Racial Justice NOW, Zakiya Sankara-Jabar called for the firing of the Dayton city manager at a Dayton City Commission meeting. The news has been following the story since the beginning, and continues to update their viewers.
“The Dayton City community has become energized and hopeful. I’ve not seen this level of community conscious raising in well over a decade in Dayton. We’re on to something really powerful here. So we’re not quitting.”
– Zakiya Sankara-Jabar, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Racial Justice NOW
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