When Charles Ramsey was peddling drugs on the streets of Cincinnati 24 years ago, being a parent of the year was the least of his concerns.

But through a drastic turn in his life, he won the National Head Start Parent of the year award last month.

"This is an honor that is overwhelming," the South Cumminsville man said. "It means to me that I can show other fathers how I turned around and that you can be a good parent by mentoring and raising your children."

He came a long way in 24 years, from selling marijuana and cocaine, to using it after he stopped selling it, to alcoholism and homelessness.

Mr. Ramsey grew up in South Cumminsville and had jobs as an assistant manager in a record shop and a clothing store.

He said his concern about providing for two young children led to dealing in drugs. The money was good until he got arrested.

"After I stopped selling it, I started using it," he said. "And I have no idea why I started using it."

A marriage in 1997 helped him to stop using drugs. He is single now, and totally committed to raising a 5-year-old son.

He credits the Head Start program for giving him a new insight to being a parent.

"This is an excellent program. It raises the academic level of children. It gives parents a chance to be involved with helping educate their children," he said.

Mr. Ramsey has been active with the Head Start parent policy council, an organization that helps decide how the program is operated.

"Being involved going to schools, mentoring and helping to direct the lives of children and being involved in my community has led me to get other fathers involved," he said.

Mr. Ramsey was president of the council last year and won parent of the year at the state, region and national level.

He received the national honor at the National Head Start Association Conference in Dallas.

Deborah Gaines, assistant Head Start director, said Mr. Ramsey is what the agency hopes Head Start parents will be.

"He has shown great leadership and has encouraged so many fathers to become involved," Ms. Gaines said.

A taste of Africa will spread through Madisonville on Sunday as St. Anthony Catholic Church sponsors its 10th annual Taste of African-American Culture.

A part of the program will include a presentation by historian Don Chandler Smith on how Madisonville played a role in the journey of slaves.

There will be a National Underground Railroad Freedom Center slide presentation by Ernest Britton, Freedom Center communication manager.

Jacky Kalubi, who was born and raised in the Congo, will present African food and history. There will be samples of African-American cuisine, market booths, blood sugar screening, hair braiding and African dance demonstrations.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News" column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.