We Are Family Too 2011 Pride Picnic

Battered Women's Shelter of Summit & Medina Counties

Our Volunteers We Are Family Too is an entirely volunteer organization.

LEADERSHIP

Mark T. Myers - Chairman

Mark was first elected to the Board of Directors of the Akron Pride Center in 1998. During his nine year association with the Akron Pride Center he has held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-Chair, Board Chairman and Director. Beginning in 2000, Mark coordinated his first "Day in the Sun" picnic, and went on to chair an additional eight more.

Carol Barlow - Co-Chair for Sponsorships

Carol has been a fixture in the Akron gay and lesbian community for many years. She owned and operated "Lydia's" bar on South Arlington Street for eleven years, where she routinely held fundraisers for numerous charities, including The Pride Center, Violet's Cupboard, Community AIDS Network (CAN), and the Battered Women's Shelter. Carol is a former Volunteer Coordinator for the Pride Center and Emcee of the "Cabaret Q" variety show. This is Carol's eleventh year on the picnic committee. A near life-long Akronite, Carol graduated from Garfield High School and attended The University of Akron. Now semi-retired, Carol lives in South Akron with her dog, named (you guessed it), Lydia.

Brian Lyons - Co-Chair for Promotions

Brian is currently a long time employee at a nationally recognized Medical Sales & Servicer Supplier. In 1987, Brian originated the magazine "Expose" which came to be Ohio's largest bar rag until 1998. That same year, Brian also opened Cocktails bar in Akron, Ohio followed by Daddy's on the second floor in 2004. With the fast growth of the Akron bars, Brian purchased Rockies Bar in Cleveland, Ohio and opened a Cocktails Cleveland location in October of 2006. Two years later in April of 2008, Brian opened a second Daddy's Bar in Cleveland, Ohio. Founder of Gay Motorcyclists of Ohio (GMO), Brian is also an honorary member of the Rangers and the Iron Eagles. Brian is currently, and continues to be, a long-time member of Northeast Ohio's Leather Community and supporter of community organizations such as The Pride Center, Community AIDs Network, Violet's Cupboard and CLAW.
Akron We Are Family Too 2012