Title
To Celebrate and Recognize the Life of Samuel “Sam” Gresham Jr.
Body
WHEREAS, Samuel “Sam” Gresham, Jr., was born with a calling to serve, lead, and advocate for justice, and on August 7, 2025, at the age of 76, he transitioned peacefully at his home, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, activism, and devotion to family and community; and
WHEREAS, he was the founder and Principal of Samuel Gresham International (SGI), a public policy and media firm through which he used his knowledge, voice, and influence to advance democracy, racial justice, and social equity across Ohio and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Sam was a steadfast champion for civil rights and democracy, serving as Chairman of Common Cause Ohio, where he led campaigns for Ohio Constitutional Amendments and participated in court cases that strengthened and protected election administration in Ohio. His efforts included representing the people of Ohio in a lawsuit against the Ohio Redistricting Commission, ensuring the voices of citizens were not diminished by unfair political practices; and
WHEREAS, Sam’s leadership extended to his role as President of the Columbus Urban League, where he built national recognition for the organization with his innovative, solutions-driven approaches to addressing inequality in the African American community. He also served as Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on African American Males and as Chief of Single Family Loan Management for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, beyond his public service, Sam was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, leaving behind his beloved wife, children, Samuel (Cayla) Gresham III, Ryan Gresham, Charles (Kathryn) Gresham, W. Shawna Gibbs (Joseph "JT") Ayers, J'Hanna Appleby, Destiny Brown and as well as fifteen cherished grandchildren, each of whom carries forward his spirit of strength, compassion, and resilience; and
WHEREAS, his family, colleagues, and the coun...
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