‘Blak Gala’ returns for fourth year [Video]

TOLEDO, Ohio — We are just one month away from the annual Blak Gala, which is celebrating its fourth year in Toledo. 

The gala is an event dedicated to raising funds for nonprofits that work to uplift Toledo’s underserved communities. 

The gala was started by a group of friends that grew up together on Prospect Avenue in central Toledo. Jason Rayford, David James and Nate Maddox have spent years building their individual careers in music, marketing, fashion and other creative business ventures. 

But in 2020, the childhood friends decided it was time to become business partners. 

“It was just something that me and my team decided to come together and make happen,” said Rayford.

They created “1983 The Brand”, what they described as a network of entrepreneurs.

“It started off with a …