Diversity + Inclusion
Bob PerkoskiGay Games Cleveland Opening Ceremony
If any word accurately describes Cleveland, it's diversity. By the late 19th century, 10 percent of the city's population was Irish. Next came the Germans, followed in successive waves by Italians, Poles, Hungarians, Slovenians and Slovakians. Today, the largest growth has been seen in the Asian and Hispanic communities. Cleveland has a history of welcoming the immigrant. Walk into the West Side Market on a busy morning and you might identify a dozen different tongues -- and we don't mean the kinds that come from tasty animals. Diversity is not only what defines a city; it's what makes a city great.
Engage! Cleveland’s 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference is this Thursday at The Aviator, aiming to unite young professionals and leaders in conversations on racial equity and inclusion. The event will offer actionable strategies to advance DEI in the workplace, featuring expert speakers and panel discussions.
The 78th annual One World Day takes place in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens this Sunday, Aug. 25—offering a family friendly cultural celebration of Cleveland's diversity with music, dancing, and food and drink.
Cleveland Heights City Council and child services agency Bellefaire JCB are leading efforts to improve police interactions with LGBTQ+ youth. The initiative, supported by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and Columbus-based Kaleidoscope Youth Center, focuses on reducing harmful encounters through updated protocols, officer training, and improved youth programs.
Built on 254 acres in Rockefeller Park, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens opened in 1916 with what is today known as the British Cultural Garden. Today, 108 years later, there are 35 gardens that celebrate a world of ethnicities and cultures. As the World on Stage series starts this weekend, and with One World Day in August, contributing editor Grant Segall looks at the history of Cleveland's cultural gem.
The Western Reserve Historical Society recently unveiled composer and educator Dr. Harrison Leslie Adams, Jr. as the seventh notable figure in its African American Art/History Walk in University Circle. The public art installation celebrates the achievements of Black history-makers and artists in Cleveland through a mural with QR links to The HistoryMakers biographies.
Earlier this month, the Saint Luke’s Foundation’s 10-member Resident Advancement Committee (RAC) awarded $40,257 in grants to seven organizations operating in the St. Luke’s footprint. The investments address social determinants of health—including educational attainment, financial stability, healthy eating and active living, safe and affordable housing, social connections—to help strengthen the four neighborhoods.
The newly minted arts and culture nonprofit AlmaVision: Cultura y Más, an arts and cultural center focused on Mexican and other underrepresented communities, will open its Hecho en CLE exhibit this weekend at Ingenuity Cleveland. The exhibit tells the stories of Cleveland's Mexican community through photos.
The Saint Luke's Foundation announced this week that it has granted more the $1.4 million in grants to 11 area organizations that are working toward strengthening Cleveland neighborhoods.
People came by the thousands to celebrate Pride in the CLE on Saturday, June 1, hosted by the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland. FreshWater managing photographer caught the events of the day to share with our readers.
Cleveland Asian Festival set some new records last weekend. FreshWater Cleveland was there too, raffling off goodies and gifts provided by Cleveland Museum of Art, MAGNET, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Ponsky Facial Plastic Surgery, and Kimpton Schofield Hotel.
Literary Cleveland has opened applications for its yearlong Breakthrough Writing Residency program to support emerging writers in Greater Cleveland who have a passion for writing and a commitment to their manuscripts, but who have not yet published a book. This year, the six residents will receive monthly stipends of $200 over the course of the year.
Morris Ervin overcame a troubled past to become a passionate educator and advocate for social justice. His memoir, “Reflections of a Troubled Black Man,” recounts his transformation and his ongoing work to foster empathy and inclusivity in challenging environments. Ervin will host a book signing infused with music and meditation at The Yoga Lab, reflecting his journey and mission.
CarniVike, Cleveland State University's carnival-like festival that started last year as a way for students to bond and blow off steam before finals, returns to the campus lawn. This year the festival, designed to foster inclusivity and community, is open to the entire Cleveland community.
From the Near West Theatre in Cleveland's Detroit Shoreway neighborhood and Chagrin Valley Little Theater in Chagrin Falls, to Akron, Medina, and Ashtabula, "The Prom" musical is flourishing with audiences and actors alike. Ken Schneck, editor of "The Buckeye Flame" and Baldwin Wallace University professor, decided to find out why.
In response to Cleveland's 2020 ranking as the worst city in overall outcomes for Black Women, Enlightened Solutions' initiated Project Noir—a study to assesses local disparities. Now the organization has launched Project Noir 2024 to reassess if, and how, things have changed.
In early April, the City of Cleveland, Enterprise Community Partners, Cuyahoga Land Bank, CHN Housing Partners, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless united with Rocket Community Fund to unveil the Make It Home Cleveland program. Aiming to address tax foreclosure and improve Black homeownership rates in East Side neighborhoods, the initiative offers renters the chance to become homeowners through financial support and housing stability services.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne and other County and the City of Cleveland officials, Re:Source Cleveland, and Global Cleveland recently celebrated the opening of the Cuyahoga County Welcome Center, aimed at supporting the area's diverse immigrant and refugee population. The hub provides essential services to help newcomer populations feel right at home. The new center earned a “Certified Welcoming” designation by Welcoming America.
With offices and government buildings closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s galleries were open to everyone—offering art activities and entertainment to honor and celebrate the work and lessons of the Rev. Dr. King. FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski was there to capture the day in photos.
The Cleveland Museum of Art will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15 with its regular free admission, hands-on art activities, and entertainment from WOVU 95.9 FM's DJ Kristyles and Humbly Submitted—all to learn from each other, celebrate humanity, exchange ideas, and spur creativity in a space for reflection.
In honor of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Shaker Arts Council will be sharing “Conversations in Courage: The Visit,” its documentary on Dr. King's 1965 visit to Shaker Heights.