AKRON, Ohio — Local faith leaders and one psychologist record “Live Your Purpose” podcast, offering advice to the mourning Akron community.
The eyes of the nation have been on Akron following the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker by Akron police. Walker’s death remains a topic of grief and frustration for the Akron community.
John Morgan Jr. is the host of a podcast called “Live Your Purpose’” He records a podcast once a week in a shared art studio in Akron. Following the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Jayland Walker, Morgan hosted a panel with two local pastors and a psychologist.
Morgan used this podcast as an outlet to not only allow these men to express how they are feeling, but also to speak to the Akron community.
Pastor Jeff Dennis is the senior pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Akron and also the founder of the Minority Behavior Group in Akron.
“We need safe places where people can do that [anger]” Dennis said. “They can express their anger. They can cry, but at the same time, they can get the support that they need to make it through this situation.”
Dennis said, while he is mourning too, it is his duty to help others work through their pain and to tell people it’s all right to feel the way they do.
“It’s alright right to express your pain,” Dennis said. “We encouraging people to do things like meditation, yoga, go for a walk, listen to music, pray if that works for you.”
Lorenzo Glenn also took part in the podcast. Glenn is a pastor at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Akron and tells those in the community to speak loud but remain tranquil.
“We encourage a peaceful protest,” Glenn said. “And by all means, if the family of Jayland Walker wants a peaceful, that’s the least we can do for the family.”
