Meet the Slang Gang
Toledo’s thriving Slingshot culture cruises the streets
Story by Erin Holden | Photos by Kyle Brown
TOLEDO – When 28-year-old Sylvania native James Bassett saw his first Polaris Slingshot in Cleveland, he knew he had to have one.
“It feels like you’re driving a go-kart,” he said, recalling his first test drive of a Slingshot. “I’m not a huge car person, but driving it was so unique and fun.” Soon after, he found a great deal online for one in Arkansas and had it shipped to him here in Toledo.
A medical student at UTMC who is about to relocate after obtaining a residency out of state, Bassett is looking to sell his because of the inconvenience of taking it with him on the cross country move. Otherwise, he’d keep it. He’s even willing to rent it out during the summers here, which wouldn’t be surprising. It seems like the demand is there.
Summers in Toledo come alive when these autocycles cruise the streets, with their elaborate sound systems, colorful lights and personalized designs. They are a wonder to behold when you take a closer look, and that’s exactly what the Toledo Free Press decided to do – find a gathering of Slingshot riders and see what this love affair is all about.
Enter the Slang Gang
You’re likely to see Slingshot gatherings outside the Mud Hens stadium some Friday and Saturday nights, but we were lucky to discover the Slang Gang’s 2nd annual “Meet the Gang” Weekend at Ottawa Park during Labor Day weekend. We arrived to find Slingshots lining up next to a pavilion. R&B music flooded from the speakers and the smell of grilled meats wafted through the air.
This family-friendly event was headed up by the founder of the Slang Gang, Roderick “Lyte-N-Rod” King. “We started this [group] out of my garage in 2017,” Roderick said. “Now we’re in five states.”
He notes that he was inspired by his “love of these machines. I rode motorcyclists as a kid. I got old, and this is a more age-appropriate vehicle,” he said.
“Back in 2018, we drove from Detroit to Miami and back, and we videotaped ourselves, then got in touch with Polaris,” he continued. “They sponsored the ride. They paid for the gas. We started with the Slang Gang group, and it just grew like crazy. So they’re here from Detroit, Cincinnati, Chicago … some from Memphis. They’re from all over the country.”
Tijuana “Road Runner” Burton
Tijuana Burton, based in Saginaw but rides with a Detroit crew for events like the Slang Gang weekend, has been a Slingshot rider for three years now. A member of the Slingshot Sisters, a global community of female slingshot riders, Burton has customized her Looney-Tunes-Roadrunner-themed vehicle with fender pods, graphics, music subs, lights and a custom top. After a fender bender earlier this year, she’s been steadily rebuilding her ride.
“I’ve driven as far as Houston and DC. Shout out to the Slingshot Sisters from San Antonio!” she exclaimed. “That’s where it originated. But we’re all around the world.”
She noted that the prime riding time is probably April through Halloween, but she knows of at least one Christmas-themed Slingshot that can be seen well into the colder months, a true commitment to its personae.
Corey “Paradise” King
The Slang Gang Facebook page describes the group as being for “grown folks,” and Corey King, the Detroit chapter’s president, echoes this sentiment.
“There are a lot of people who may not want to cooperate, who may not want to follow the rules, and we’re not even talking about anything major,” King said. “But it is definitely a responsible, grown and mature group, and that’s what we try to keep on display.”
He adds that the group in Detroit also focuses on charity work, helping kids and the elderly.
Corey’s Slingshot has regal and spiritual themes. “I just always want people to realize that everything that’s done in the dark comes to the light, and you can do nothing without God being aware. My dad raised me to have the mindset of a king. Carry yourself like a king. So the image was a no-brainer.”
If you’re a Slingshot owner who wants to get involved with the Slang Gang’s Toledo chapter, check out their Facebook group for planned meetups. It has 1.5k followers and counting.
Toledo’s Top Talent
Local talent competition provides performance opportunities for youth
TOLEDO – Toledo’s Top Talent, an annual talent competition, expanded their contestant roster to allow Toledo youth as young as 8 years old to audition for the second annual talent show.
“The goal of the program is to keep kids and young adults involved during the summer and bridge the gap between the time school ends and when it starts up again,” said Sabina Rodriguez, Toledo’s Top Talent event coordinator and director of Mas Y Mas Guidance and Supportive Services.
During its first year, Toledo’s Top Talent accepted auditions from contestants ages 12-24, but after an abundance of audition requests from Toledo youth this year, the age range has officially been changed to 8-24.
Toledo’s Top Talent hosted the first, second and third rounds of the talent competition earlier this year, and provided vocal and instrumental coaching to all participants selected during the auditions.
Tickets for Toledo’s Top Talent finale show are $10 on the Mas Y Mas website and more information can be found on Toledo’s Top Talent Facebook page.
The finale show is at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Peristyle Theater in the Toledo Museum of Art. The finale is a tribute to Selena Quintanilla, the late “Queen of Tejano Music.”
The final competition will be hosted by DJ Kane and features five finalists: Luis Gamez, Mariah McCarter, Meche Trejo, Oscar Tovar and Thalia Villagomez. These five contestants will compete for a grand prize of $2,000 and a signed contract to record an original single with Grammy award-winning producer Gilbert Velasquez in his San Antonio-based music studio, Velasquez Music, Inc.
The second and third place winners will be awarded cash prizes of $1,000 and $500 cash prizes, respectfully. All other competitors won’t go home empty-handed – they’ll receive $50 gift cards sponsored by the Taylor Automotive Family.
Having won more than a dozen Grammy’s/Latin Grammy’s for his contributions to the Tejano music industry, Velasquez said the grand prize recording contract is a stepping stone for the winner to obtain larger opportunities within the music industry.
“This will be a learning experience for the winner and, most of all, open up some doors for them,” he said.
Velasquez said he is looking forward to working with the grand prize winner and meeting all of the final contestants in-person at the finale show, where he will serve as a guest judge.
Mariah McCarter, 10, is the youngest contestant in Toledo’s Top Talent this year, following the change in age requirements, and she will perform at the finale show after three rounds of competition.
McCarter has been singing gospel music since she was 7 years old and said she is inspired to perform by her mother, Akisha McCarter, and her father, who passed away in 2021. Akisha described her daughter as having an old soul and said she is touched by old gospel songs.
“She has a ritual of touching her necklace that holds a picture of her dad before she goes on stage,” said Akisha.
While on stage, Mariah said she gets nervous but believes performing on stage will help her in her future.
“The competition helps me to get rid of my nerves on stage and gives me confidence,” she said.
Auditions for next year’s competition begin spring 2025.
Toledo’s Top Talent is partnering with the City of Toledo, Taylor Automotive Family, The House of Chaos and Mas Y Mas Guidance and Supportive Services.
ReInvest Toledo’s Power Tour
Power Tour: Unlock Your Vote features music, poetry, film, panels
The arts have always been integral to political movements, a fact that nonprofit ReInvest Toledo is leaning into with their upcoming event – Power Tour: Unlock Your Vote.
The multimedia presentations feature music, spoken word poetry, film and other forms of artistry with intergenerational participants. There will be four shows with hosts that cover topics related to civic engagement, beginning with this Sunday, Sept. 22.
The Toledo Free Press will cover this as a series that explores how ReInvest and its partners are approaching voter education and creating a dialogue and empowering lower to middle income residents to take the lead in making changes they want to see.
If you want to attend, take a look at the following schedule to these free events, which are held at the Collingwood Arts Center from 2-4 p.m.
September 22 -
Celebrity Host: Montrice Terry Conversation Focus: Bridging the Gap Regarding Voter Engagement - an Intergenerational Discussion
September 28 -
Celebrity Host: Lexi Staples
Conversation Focus: Then & Now: How Voting has Impacted the Queer Community
October 6 -
Celebrity Host: Morgan Harper
Conversation Focus: Your Vote Can Impact Issues Facing Your Community
October 12 -
Celebrity Host: Rob Pasker
Conversation Focus: How Voting Can Change What You See Everyday in Your Neighborhood
Glass city experiences growth
Toledo ranks in top mid-sized cities for economic growth
TOLEDO – According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States grew 2.8 percent in the second fiscal quarter. Certain cities have enjoyed healthy economic growth over the last few years.
Toledo is one of those cities that have enjoyed an economic boost and has earned the rank of 20th in Top Cities for Economic Growth for Mid-Sized Cities (250k-500k population) in a recent survey by Coworking Cafe.
According to the article, written by Andreea Neculae, data was compiled from various reliable sources to evaluate the evolution of key economic and social indicators from 2018 to 2022. The analysis focused on the following indicators:
- Median Earnings
- Business Applications
- Crime Rate
- Educational Attainment
- Employment Rate
- Unemployment Rate
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Housing Units
- Infrastructure (Total Roadway Miles)
- Population Growth
- Trade-Exports
The article goes into detail on each of these indicators and their sources. Each city earned a set number of points based on each category.
Doug Ressler, senior research officer at Yardi Matrix (parent company of Coworking Cafe) offered more insight about the survey and additional information about Toledo’s growth. He pointed to a few major reasons why Toledo is doing so well economically.
He explained to the Toledo Free Press that Toledo is known for its low cost of living. Housing prices are significantly lower compared to many other cities in the U.S., with a median home sale price of around $123,2501. He also said affordability extends to other aspects of life, such as groceries, utilities and healthcare.
Ressler said that one factor contributing to Toledo’s affordability is the availability of jobs. “The city has a diverse economy with opportunities in various industries, including healthcare, education and manufacturing. The job market in Toledo is stable, and the unemployment rate is lower than the national average.”
Diverse job opportunities in industries, such as healthcare, education and manufacturing boost the city’s economy. Ressler said this diversity helps stabilize the job market.
Toledo can attract residents and visitors with cultural attractions such as museums, theaters and art galleries. Toledo also has reputable educational institutions, such as The University of Toledo and Owens Community College.
Small midwest cities enjoy certain advantages over larger cities. Ressler explained that the midwest cities have a lower cost of living, less traffic a stronger sense of community, and lower crime rates compared to larger urban areas. The major disadvantages are the limited public transformation, healthcare access compared to larger cities and overall financial resources.
One of the areas that Toledo is doing well in, according to Ressler, is affordable housing.
While Toledo is doing well, there are some areas where the city could improve. Ressely said there are about 25.6 percent of residents living below the poverty line, which is significantly higher than the national average. Ressler added that another issue the city is currently facing is the declining population.
“Toledo in the past five years has seen a slight decrease in residents. The population has reached 278,193 with a population growth rate of -0.8 percent in the last year and -2.8 percent in the last five years.”
Other disadvantages Toledo faces are poor road conditions and harsh winters.
Overall Toledo enjoys an affordable cost of living, employment opportunities, quality education and fun cultural attractions. You can read the original article by Coworking Cafe here.
Trans and Thriving Festival
2nd annual fest offers safe space, resources, performers
Toledo – A two-part event this weekend will celebrate Toledo’s transgender community while providing its members with resources and a safe space to convene.
The second annual Trans and Thriving Festival will be from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday at the Market on the Green near Downtown in Toledo. The event is hosted by Equality Toledo, TransToledo and Holier Toledo, each involved in the region’s LGBTQIA+ community.
“This free, family-friendly event will feature food trucks, vendors and drag entertainment that everyone can enjoy,” the trio of organizers stated in a release. “The festival will also include opportunities to connect with others and engage in meaningful conversations about trans experiences.”
The three groups also are hosting a kick-off party from 7-9 p.m. on Friday at Equality Toledo’s new office, 1301 Jefferson St. in Toledo, and shares space with TransToledo.
The organizers said in a press release that attendees will have the chance to create art, engage in casual conversations, and explore the new space at Equality Toledo, all while connecting with like-minded individuals. This event is free, with all materials provided, and donations are welcome.
TransToledo president Rob Hillier and Caitlin Saryia Williams, of Holier Toledo, a body piercing exclusive studio, said this festival builds off last year’s inaugural one, which drew about 500 people. Williams said organizers hope for a turnout of 1,000 this weekend.
Hillier said the festival will include resources available to the trans community. Representatives of Planned Parenthood and doctors supportive of the community will attend.
“A lot of people have rejected people like me,” said Hillier, who notes he underwent treatments to grow a beard and deepen his voice.
“TransToledo is a group of trans folks of all different looks and backgrounds,” he said. “We take pride in giving to the community and providing resources to trans people.”
A service it offers is a quarterly clothing exchange to provide clothes to those who have transitioned or are transitioning. He said the new office space shared with Equality Toledo will allow TransToledo to provide more services and events.
“It’s important, especially for younger people, to be aware of the gender-affirming care that’s available to them,” Williams said. “Whatever gender they’re transitioning to, there are resources for them to be more comfortable.”
She began her piercing studio – a play off “Holy Toledo” and referring to the holes created by body piercings – to provide a safe space for everyone, especially women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“My biggest thing is showing people I’m a safe person,” said Williams, who added she was created through artificial insemination to two gay women and is bisexual. “I’ve been around gay people my entire life. I just want to give back to the community. It’s important that everyone gets basic respect even if they’re different than you.”
Speaking about the festival, Hillier said, “We want to let trans people know people care and want to help. Trans people have existed, do exist and always will exist. The more that people learn and accept us the easier it will be for all of us to live in harmony.”
District-wide free lunches
Lunches for 22,000 students in district at no cost to students
TOLEDO – There’s no need for families to send lunch money this year for K-12 students attending Toledo Public Schools, regardless of household income.
The reason? State officials have approved a district-wide application for free lunches, according to Carrie Kolodziejczyk, TPS senior director of food service and child nutrition.
The national school lunch program started in 1946 and is under the administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only a handful of states across the country currently make arrangements for all school meals to be free: Michigan is among them, but Ohio is not.
The Associated Press explained in a 2023 news report that free meals at school was common during in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the federal aid supporting universal school meals ended in spring 2022.
Afterwards, most states reverted to the system used for decades in which families who wanted the assistance had to file an application every year requesting free or reduced-price meals for their students.
Under USDA income guidelines for the 2024-25 school year, a family with three in the household would be eligible for free school meals with a total annual income of $33,566 or less. That same family would be eligible for reduced-price school lunches with a total annual income of $47,767 or less.
Ohio officials decided to allow any student who otherwise qualified for reduced price school meals to get breakfast and lunch for free, starting with the 2023-24 school year. The cost is supported through the state budget bill.
Kolodziejczyk said 78 percent of TPS students were eligible for free school breakfast and lunch with last year’s update. At the time, a K-12 breakfast cost $1.50, and a K-12 lunch cost $3.25.
What happened this year was one more step, and one where TPS staff had to be proactive in getting the assistance. There was quite a bit of paperwork and documentation involved with the application, she said.
But now, every basic meal is at no cost to all students.
“We were just pleased to be able to get it through this year,” she said.
The cafeteria a la carte items will cost money out of pocket, but those examples are situations where a student might want a second slice of pizza, an additional sandwich, or to buy a snack.
There are just under 22,000 students in the district. Kolodziejczyk said about 30-45 percent of students get a school breakfast, and about 65-75 percent get a school lunch.
The other students prefer to pack their own meals, sometimes for allergy reasons and dietary preferences.
For example, Kolodziejczyk said while meatless entrees are easily available in the school lunchrooms, specifically vegan meals often are not.
“We also don’t have a halal solution at this time,” she said, referring to Islamic dietary guidelines.
In the meantime, the district updated student menu entrees after a study group of both staff and parents considered the options.
New menu items for grade schoolers include macaroni and cheese, and new menu items for high schoolers include walking tacos and sandwich wraps.
