Local

Ruby Dee was born in 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio. A famous African American actress during the 1960s, she was also an avid social rights activist for racial equality and equal rights during the Civil Rights Movement. Ruby went to Hunter College and earned a degree in Spanish and French in 1945. After college, she worked… Read more: Ruby Dee: Actress, Activist, and Voice for Justice

By Sarai Murdock New Era Cleveland, a grassroots organization focused on violence prevention and community activism, has received a $150,000 grant from the Saint Luke’s Foundation, part of a $1.7 million funding initiative awarded to 20 local organizations. This marks the first time New Era Cleveland has received a six-figure grant, a milestone for the… Read more: New Era Cleveland Receives $150K Grant to Expand Community Services

By Tonya Sams Parenting is never easy and it becomes even more challenging when a child encounters difficulties at school. If a student is struggling with schoolwork, facing repeated suspensions, or dealing with other issues, additional support may be necessary. Requesting an evaluation for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) can help identify what support a… Read more: Individualized Education Plans Can Help Struggling Students

By Unity Powell On a gray, rainy day at Cleveland School of the Arts, a choir of teens practiced an upbeat medley of songs accompanied by piano. Dr. David M. Thomas stood, watching his colleague lead the students through the arrangement. While passing through to get to his class, it was obvious that his presence had… Read more: Music, Mentorship, and Legacy: The Journey of Dr. David M. Thomas

By Ron Calhoun   The Cleveland Public Library unveiled its long-awaited Martin Luther King Jr. campus on Jan 25th, marking the culmination of a decade of planning and development.   The new two-story branch includes 207 apartments located above the library, a first-of-its-kind partnership between the library system and a private developer. This milestone is… Read more: Cleveland Public Library Celebrates Opening of Martin Luther King Jr. Campus

By Unity Powell It’s Saturday morning amidst the cozy, bustling atmosphere of UnBar Cafe, a coffee shop in the Larchmere community on Cleveland’s east side. Adam Banks, PhD is throwing out Black music references, folded into his conversation. Over the hum of espresso machines, blenders, and the door opening you hear topics that range from… Read more: From Campus to Coffee Shop: Education Serves

By Lisa O’Brien Editor’s note: The Cleveland Observer presents an exploration of how Cleveland’s core four arts institutions—the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Orchestra, Playhouse Square, and the Rock Hall of Fame —impact and engage with our community. In this on-going series, Lisa O’Brien takes a closer look at how these organizations give back… Read more: Cleveland’s Core Four Arts Institutions Give Back to the Community

By Bob Ferguson The Karamu House Theatre is unquestionably the oldest African-American performing arts theater in operation today in the United States. Karamu was established and opened its doors in 1915 as The Neighborhood Playhouse Settlement, located at 2239 E. 38th Street. The word (Ka-ra-mu) in Swahili means “a place of joyful gathering,” where families… Read more: The Legendary Karamu House Theatre

By Katarina Partika Before embarking on a journey to help young athletes with their mental health, Cleveland native and former football star Jeremy Boone had to face his own set of mental health concerns. Looking back, Boone realizes the times he was in transition were the times he needed the most help. “I played college… Read more: Jeremy Boone: Finding Direction Through Mental Health Advocacy

By Shaniyah Hubbard The Cleveland Anthony J. Celebrezze Fire Boat, named after the 49th mayor of Cleveland, is up for sale. Asking price starts at $5,000. The boat, which was on the scene in 1969 when the Cuyahoga River caught fire, was decommissioned on June 28th, but still has potential. The engine measures 61 feet long and 16′… Read more: Cleveland Fire Boat For Sale

By Anthony Byrd On June 22, 2023, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in collaboration with the City of Cleveland, unveiled their 14th renovated gymnasium at the Collinwood Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center (NRRC). Located at 16300 Lakeshore Blvd, it is a tribute to both community and basketball. The Cavaliers have undertaken an exciting project aimed at improving… Read more: The Cavaliers Remodel Local Recreation Center

The Cleveland Observer is looking to form a student news desk. This college-level news desk team will report on topics students are facing and will initially focus on mental health. The content will focus on reporting stories in the community through a solutions lens. The team will convene in September, meet biweekly through November, and… Read more: The Cleveland Observer Student Media Challenge

By R. A. Calhoun The Cleveland Community Police Commission’s (CPC) first public community meeting was held at Frederick Douglass Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center and hosted by Ward 1 councilman Joseph Jones. The meeting was rocky.  Members were late. There was confusion during the budget discussion, and policies and procedures (Rules) were discussed but not… Read more: Rough First Community Public meeting for the Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC)

Our Commitment To You Throughout the time period leading to state and midterm elections in November, we’ll be covering issues and concerns around disenfranchised voters, people who are eligible to vote and choose not to. In the spirit of wanting to be political coverage you can trust, the Cleveland Observer makes the following commitment for… Read more: Trusted News Box

By Gennifer Harding-Gosnell Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb gave his first State of the City address last month, reporting on his Administration’s accomplishments, needs for improvement, and vision for the future.  Looking ahead, Bibb said Cleveland is “working toward being the first city in North America to implement a 15-Minute City planning framework where people –… Read more: Mayor Bibb’s ‘15-Minute City Model’ – What it Could Mean For Cleveland’s Marginalized Neighborhoods