Activity in the Valley

October 2023
Resilience Personified
G.I.G. Corbin Stacey 33° (15)—
Local track coach trains youth on how to run the race of life and succeed Watch the Video
October 1, 2022
Deeds Not Words

Fraters of Bezaleel Consistory No. 15, led by Illustrious Commander-in-Chief Emmanuel Ashong 33°, engaged in a meaningful community service project at an often forgotten about yet essential cultural institution in the Valley of Cleveland.

On Saturday, October 1, 2022, S.G.I.G. Robert L. Alexander 33°; G.I.G. Aaron Jackson 33°; G.I.G. Maurio D. Powell 33°; G.I.G. Kenneth Williams 33°; and S.P. Kaleo Mackenzie 32° responded to a call for assistance from Frances Caldwell, director of the African-American Museum, to give the museum a little tender loving care in a kickoff event. Downspouts and gutters for rainwater mitigation were donated by the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief on behalf of his business (Osah’s Home Improvement Group LLC).

This and other preparatory work will be facilitated by Consistory volunteers (and members of other organizations) to prepare the museum for a public grand opening in the near future. Painting, flooring, and sorting of artifacts are among the necessary tasks.

Through the generous donation of materials from Home Depot and working in the spirit of the adage “many hands make light work” we will, with other community partners and city agencies, restore to glory to a longstanding museum for and by us!


Pictured from L to R: G.I.G. Aaron Jackson 33°; Museum Director Frances Caldwell; S.P. Kaleo Mackenzie 32°; CIC Emmanuel Ashong 33°; G.I.G. Kenneth Williams 33°; G.I.G. Maurio D. Powell 33°; and S.G.I.G. Robert L. Alexander 33°

Invitations for volunteer opportunities will be extended to the Cleveland Prince Hall family and this is especially important considering one of the end results of the revitalization will include a wall dedicated to Prince Hall freemasonry in Cleveland.

There will be future visits to continue the work again in October and in December.

In assisting with the revitalization of the museum Bezaleel Consistory No. 15 is fulfilling the mission statement of our Sovereign Grand Commander Melvin J. Bazemore 33°—United in Service and Commitment through Action, Accountability and Sustainable Results.

The African American Museum (formerly the Afro-American Cultural & Historical Society Museum) was established in April 1953. It is a nonprofit cultural and educational museum that aims to share the achievements of African Americans. It is the only organization of its kind in Ohio.

May 2021
G.I.G. Gregory F. Clifford 33° recognized

In May 2021, G.I.G. Gregory F. Clifford 33° received the Alumni of the Year award from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall School of Law.  It is a fitting honor for an individual dedicated to servant leadership.  Illustrious Clifford has also been elected to serve as the president of the Norman S. Minor Bar Association; the Ohio Association of Magistrates; the Cleveland-Marshall School of Law Alumni Association; and as president of the Brian L. Abrams Class of 2009.

May 29th, 2021
Class of 2021

On Saturday, May 29, 2021, the names for the Class of 2020 and 2021 were unveiled by Sovereign Grand Commander Melvin J. Bazemore 33°.  The Orient of Ohio was very pleased to learn that the Class of 2021 was named in honor of S.G.I.G. Charles W. “Charlie” Hales 33°, past Convention Director.  This stalwart Mason is absolutely deserving of such an honor.

Oct. 2021
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. In the News

Timed to coincide with Election Day, late October 2021 saw the release of a short film entitled “Otis’ Dream”. S.G.I.G. Otis Moss Jr. 33° narrates the story of his father, Otis Moss Sr. in the elder’s quest to vote in the Jim Crow south in 1946. This is a must-see film which expertly illustrates why we should not take the modern day right of voting lightly. Otis Moss Sr. passed away before he could ever cast a vote.

Watch it here:  https://otisdream.com 

Illustrious Moss also appears in the “The Black Church” documentary series produced by Henry Louis Gates airing on PBS. Having preached the gospel for more than 60 years his perspective on the development and reach of the Black Church as far as it concerns social inequality’s valuable. He has walked it like he talked it.

Oct. 9th 2020
Orient of Ohio – Perry B. Jackson Statue Unveiling
On Friday, October 9, 2020, S.G.I.G. Carl A. Williams, Most Illustrious Commander-in-Chief and Deputy for the Orient of Ohio along with Fraters of Bezaleel Consistory No.15 attended the private statue unveiling for deceased Grand Inspector General, Judge Perry B. Jackson. Publicly, Judge Jackson was the first African-American elected judge in the State of Ohio. Fraternally, he was an active member of Bezaleel Consistory No. 15 in Cleveland Ohio. In 1943, as a member of the James E. White Victory Class, he was elevated to the 33°. G.I.G. Jackson was the recipient of the Gold Medal of Achievement Award in 1971. He was also a honorary Past Grand Master of the MWPHGL of Ohio. Judge Jackson was born in Zanesville, Ohio to Brooks C. and Ida M. Jackson. He graduated from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University (1919) and WRU Law School (1922). He was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Cleveland. From 1923 – 1927 Jackson worked his way up to editor of the city’s black newspaper the Cleveland Call. Active in Republican politics he was elected to the Ohio General Assembly in 1928 and was extremely instrumental in the states adoption of voter registration forms making no reference to race or color. From July 1934- August 1941 he served as assistant police prosecutor: from August 1941 – April 1942, secretary to the director of public utilities was appointed municipal judge in August 1942. However, in 1943 he lost the election. In 1945 he won a 6-year term on the municipal court bench and was reelected twice. In 1960 he was elected and reelected to the new Domestic Relations Division of common pleas court. In 1964 he was elected and reelected to the General Division of common pleas court until retiring from the bench in 1973 but remained active as a visiting judge. Judge Jackson was also a proponent of civil rights for AFRICAN AMERICANS. Refused service at a bar association meeting in HOLLENDEN HOTEL in 1935, he sued the hotel, receiving $350 in damages. He was involved with the NAACP and URBAN LEAGUE along with other local civic organizations. Judge Jackson was a trustee of ST. JOHN’S AME CHURCH, the A.M.E. church in Cleveland. Judge Jackson married Fern Josephine Payne in 1933 who preceded him in death in December 1983. Honorable Perry B. Jackson (January 27,1896 – March 20, 1986).

G.I.G. Maurio D. Powell 33°
Sept. 6th 2020
Honorary Street Renaming for S.G.I.G. Bishop J. Delano Ellis 33°
On September 6, 2020, a street was renamed in honor of S.G.I.G Bishop J. Delano Ellis II 33°.  Chester Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio from 105th to 107th Streets was officially renamed to “Bishop J. Delano Ellis II Way”.  This stretch of street fronts the Pentecostal Church of Christ Bishop Ellis has been the Senior Pastor of for the last 30 years.  Bishop Ellis serves as the Associate Grand Prior of the United Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction; serves as the Illustrious Grand Prior for the Ohio Council of Deliberation; and is a Past Grand Chaplain for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio. Most Illustrious Commander-in-Chief and Deputy for the Orient S.G.I.G. Carl A. Williams 33° presented Bishop Ellis with a proclamation announcing the day of the street dedication as “Bishop J. Delano Ellis Day” throughout the Orient of Ohio.


L to R: Most Illustrious Commander-in-Chief and Deputy for the Orient of Ohio S.G.I.G. Carl A. Williams 33°; Dr. Sabrina J. Ellis; G.I.G. Bishop Royal Wilson 33°; S.G.I.G. Bishop J. Delano Ellis II 33°; and G.I.G. Maurio Powell 33°[/caption]
Sept. 2019
In September 2019, then Sublime Prince Corbin Stacey 32° was profiled chronicling his journey as Taekwondo Paralympian G.I. in the Gi: The United States Army Staff Sgt. Corbin Stacey Story – Wheelchair Sports Federation Media