About Us
The Stalwart is dedicated to showcasing the inspiring stories of local hardworking people. Our mission is to highlight individuals who have made a positive impact on their community, whether through charity work, entrepreneurship, activism, or other means.
The Stalwart magazine is a publication that is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of individuals in the community, with a particular focus on those from minority backgrounds. The Stalwart is driven by a mission to shine a light on the inspiring stories of extraordinary people who may not receive the recognition they deserve in mainstream media outlets.
The magazine is run by a team of passionate people who work tirelessly to uncover the untold stories of individuals who are making a difference in their communities. We believe that by highlighting these individuals, they can inspire others to follow in their footsteps and create positive change.
Each issue of the magazine is packed with in-depth profiles and interviews with individuals from all walks of life. From community leaders to activists, entrepreneurs to artists, the magazine covers a diverse range of individuals who are breaking down barriers and creating positive change. The Stalwart magazine is making a real difference in the lives of people across the community.
Editorial
team
Stayce Ellis-Fowler is a lifelong learner and native Toledoan. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in information technology and her MBA from The University of
Toledo. Stayce enjoyed a twenty-three-year career in corporate America where she obtained a Green Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma manufacturing methodologies. Stayce is currently owner/publisher of The Stalwart magazine founded in 2020 and believes in a communal- shared responsibility to celebrate others. The local monthly magazine showcases stalwart individuals in Ohio that are working toward excellence in life and whose stories are meant to provide inspiration to its readers. She is also the Owner/Operator of Customer Advocacy Partners, LLC specializing in organizational development, managerial efficiency, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Woven throughout her work, Stayce is passionate about having a voice in local supplier diversity initiatives as she believes it is a path to building generational wealth in communities of color as well as acceptance and empathy in our country. Stayce is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, a founding board member of Women Of Toledo’s Women’s Business Council and volunteers as the Financial Secretary at her church.
Alexis Fowler has been responsible for the look and feel of The Stalwart print magazine since its inception in December of 2020. She is a proud alumnus of St. Ursula Academy
and self-taught Graphic Designer. In December of 2021, she self-published her book The Flowery Dark Side of The Moon, which is a compilation of poetry and short essays written throughout the years. As a passionate creative, she is the owner of Elfrow Press, a graphic design firm that also publishes small print jobs. As a bibliophile, she finds immense pleasure in reading, noting she has read more than 40 books this year thus far. You can find Alexis traveling to music festivals such as Coachella, taking pictures of family in natural settings and visiting small bookstores near and far.
Laycee is a Toledo native who graduated from Sylvania Southview High School. She earned a Bachelors of Arts in Media Communication from The University of
Toledo in 2020. She is currently working at Local 4 News in Detroit as a News Editor and Receive Operator establishing live shots in the field. She also is the producer and co-host of Ty and Layy’s Take Today on Hot 9397 which airs every Saturday from 3p - 5p EST on the 9397 Network App. She has been apart of the Stalwart Team as the editorial columnist since November 2021. She writes the Uprising Stalwart column which gives outstanding youth in her hometown community a platform to highlight their business, achievements, ambitions and more. Laycee has a passion for all branches of communication and is working towards being a powerhouse in her field.
Dr. Patrice McClellan is the President and Lead Strategist of The Ronald Group also affectionately known as Dr. P. Dr. P is a dynamic leadership coach and
organizational strategist. She is also nationally recognized race scholar and leadership expert. With over 20 years of experience activating leaders, dismantling systems of organizational dysfunction, and helping organizations thrive by supporting advocacy and allyship at work. In addition, Dr. P is a published author on leadership activism, co-author of the book “Herstories: Leading with the Lessons of the Lives of Black Women Activists and is a faithful community advocate. She is most proud of her role with the United Way of Greater Toledo’s African American Leadership Council and her fundraising activity for the Children Defense Fund’s Freedom School housed at the Monroe Street Neighborhood Center. Prior to founding The Ronald Group, Dr. P was an Associate Professor of Business and Leadership at Lourdes University. She was the first Black woman professor to receive promotion to the associate level at that university. Before Lourdes, Dr. McClellan was a member of the faculty at Miami University of Ohio where she oversaw curriculum development for Miami's Wilkes Leadership Institute. In addition to her faculty role at Miami, she served as Special Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs leading the division through strategic planning and organizational change strategies. In addition to her scholarly endeavors, Dr. P was recipient of Toledo’s 20 under 40 Leadership Award in 2011. She is active in various community and social service organizations such as past Chair of United Way’s African American Leadership Council, Toledo Public Schools DEI Committee, Paramount Health Care Board, TREIC Education Pillar Chair, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., The Girl Friends, Inc as well as a 25-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In 2016, Dr. P was a featured speaker TEDx and in 2020 appointed to the Mayor Kapszukiewicz’s community policing coalition. Activating leaders and organizations is Dr. P’s life passion. However, her most important mission in life is providing opportunities for her children Aiden and Cassidy to live their lives authentically. In her spare time, they enjoy nature walks at the local metro parks hoping their dog Leif doesn’t get loose.
Meet Jada Danyell, a fashion lover born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. With over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, she’s a trailblazer in her own right. Having left
her mark at brands like GAP, Cache, Steve Madden, and Saks Fifth Avenue, Jada's journey has been nothing short of memorable. For Jada, fashion isn't just a job – it's her passion. Her personal style is as versatile as it gets, effortlessly transitioning from street chic to high fashion. Beyond her career, she's also carved her own niche with her personal fashion brand, "Jada Danyell," that specializes in effortless fashion pieces. What sets Jada apart is her knack for making fashion approachable. She's not just a fashion lover; she's your style influencer and advocates for you to embrace your own personal style. Her two decades in the industry have made her an authority in the fashion world. With Jada Danyell as your guide, you'll not only navigate the ever-evolving world of fashion but also find inspiration in her down-to-earth approach to style. Toledo's very own fashion go to, Jada Danyell, is here to make fashion fun, relatable, and captivating.
Brenda is a business consultant, grant and freelance writer. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Community & Economic Development and an Associate’s degree
Felix is led by his faith in The Most High God, YAHAWAH, and is CEO of his marketing firm, Fish For Something Here (THEFFSH.com). Felix partners with organizations by creating
logos and websites as well as managing online content. One of his most creative roles is developing content within the virtual reality world. His first love, however, lies in the creation of music. Felix has produced many songs over the years and will continue to use his love for an extensive range of music genres to reach music lovers of all ages. He loves to teach whenever possible and currently serves as an Assistant Coach for the Rogers High School Varsity Football team and advocates for being stalwart example for others whenever possible.