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.
The Silk Road Cultural Collective preserves the cultural heritage of the ancient trade routes spanning from Asia to Europe with interactive, hands-on experiences. Founded by Cleveland filmmaker Johnny K. Wu, the organization encourages participants to touch, wear, and experience historical artifacts while learning about the diverse cultures along the Silk Road from the 5th to 17th centuries.
In 1854, Frederick Douglass delivered his only commencement address at Western Reserve College in Hudson, challenging scientific racism and calling for moral courage. Student filmmakers have revived this piece of history through the award-winning documentary "Just and Perfect," just in time for Douglass' great-great-great grandson to visit the campus where the original speech was delivered.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day this Monday, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Museum of Art, and CMA's Community Arts Center, will offer free admission and programming to celebrate Dr. King's legacy. The celebrations feature activities ranging from planetarium shows and wildlife encounters to art-making workshops, live performances, and storytelling sessions. Several other University Circle institutions are also participating, with University Circle Inc. providing free CircleLink shuttle service to all locations.
Engage! Cleveland is hosting its third annual Develop, Engage, and Inspire Conference this Wednesday, Sept. 17. The event will focus on themes of belonging and community engagement, and feature dynamic sessions and speakers from various sectors to attract and retain diverse talent in Greater Cleveland.
The 79th annual One World Day on Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens will celebrate multiculturalism and showcase the diverse nationalities and cultural groups in Northeast Ohio. The event features cultural performances, international cuisine, the opportunity to explore about 40 Cultural Gardens, and Cleveland Historical's self-guided audio tours of the gardens.
CLE-Vignettes are photos that show how people in Northeast Ohio spend their time—what they’re doing for fun and entertainment, or how they are just spending time with friends and family.
Want to submit your CLE-Vignette? Just email your best CLE-Vignette to photographer@freshwatercleveland.com with your photo, your name, the names of anyone pictured in the photo, where you are, and what you are doing.
We look forward to seeing you!
The Slovenian National Home hosted its third annual Zabava festival, celebrating Cleveland's Slovenian culture and heritage. The free, family-friendly event featured traditional food, music, and activities, including a showcase of the Kurent costume used in the Cleveland Kurentovanje Festival.
The Kimpton Schofield Hotel is celebrating Pride Month with a special package that includes complimentary cocktails and a donation to The Trevor Project. The hotel holds historical significance as having one of the city's first gay bars in the same location.
Clevelanders showed their true colors on Saturday at the Pride in the CLE 2025 march and celebration, organized by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. Thousands of people gathered downtown to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. The event featured a march through the city streets, followed by a festival with food trucks, vendors, and live entertainment.
FreshWater is sharing six of the winning poems and essays written by local students for The Maltz Museum’s 2025 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out essay and poetry contest.
FreshWater is sharing six of the winning poems and essays written by local students for The Maltz Museum’s 2025 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out essay and poetry contest.
FreshWater is sharing six of the winning poems and essays written by local students for The Maltz Museum’s 2025 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out essay and poetry contest.
FreshWater is sharing six of the winning poems and essays written by local students for The Maltz Museum’s 2025 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out essay and poetry contest.
The Maltz Museum In April hosted its 2025 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out contest winners at the Cuyahoga Community College. FreshWater is publishing the essays and poems of six selected winners who stand up to hate and discrimination.
FreshWater is sharing six of the winning poems and essays written by local students for The Maltz Museum’s 2025 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out essay and poetry contest.
The Western Reserve Historical Society's Cleveland History Center is observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with free admission and special exhibits on Black history, art, and culture. Visitors can explore photography exhibits, learn about Dr. King's involvement in the 1968 Poor People's Campaign, and engage in various activities celebrating Dr. King's legacy.
Local research and advocacy firm Enlightened Solutions recently released a 2024 Project Noir report, which reveals that Black women in Cleveland continue to face the same challenges as 2020 in the workplace, healthcare, and education.
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.