The event was sponsored by the Child Support Division of Montgomery County Job and Family Services, which hosted a free luncheon at the Job Center in Dayton.
"A group of employees did all this themselves," said Michelle Niedermier, the director of the agency. The employees cooked food and displayed historic items and information for people to learn about history and culture, she said.
"They wanted to honor those in the community that represent the strength of our African American community members," Niedermier said.
Perry, born and raised in Dayton, is a Meadowdale High School graduate. The former news director for WROU-FM and WRNB-FM joined WHIO-TV in spring 2001. She has been co-anchoring the Daybreak Edition, 5 to 7 a.m. weekdays, since summer 2012.
Perry and the following people were given certificates of recognition:
- Michael Colbert, Montgomery County administrator
- Judge Denise Martin-Cross, Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court
- Magistrate Annette Wright, Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court
- Judge Gerald Parker, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court
- Chief Deputy Daryl Wilson, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
- Ronita Hawes-Saunders, chief executive officer, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
- William Stacey Wheat, director, House of Wheat Funeral Home
- Marsha Bonhart, Dayton Public Schools director of media and public relations (retired)
- Tammi Clements, director of water, city of Dayton
- Debbie Blunden-Diggs, artistic director, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
- Marvene Mitchell, director, Montgomery County Development Services Workforce Development
- Recorder Brandon C. McClain, Montgomery County
- Keith Harrison, 1982 Grammy Award winner, Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal (Dazz Band's "Let It Whip")
- Helen Jones-Kelley, ADAMHS director
- Pastor Michele Ditto, In His Presence World Ministries, Dayton, Ohio
- Jenell Ross, president, Bob Ross Auto Group
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