Diversity + Inclusion

Robert P. Madison, man of many architectural, personal triumphs
Cleveland Masterworks: Robert P. Madison has created his own legacy—from his designs for buildings like Park Place Apartments or Fatima Family Center in Hough, to his work on the Rock Hall and Browns stadium—but he has also accomplished a lot of firsts in his almost 99 years on this planet.
FRONT Triennial makes bold strokes to draw in diverse Northeast Ohio artists
By awarding three $25,000 Arts Futures fellowships, FRONT Triennial plans to bring diverse voices to the forefront for its 2022 editions and beyond.
Care Alliance expands accessible health care to Cleveland’s most vulnerable with Stokes Clinic
Care Alliance last month opened its third health center to serve the homeless, the uninsured, and underinsured with their comprehensive medical services. 
Weathering the storm: How some LGBTQ+ businesses survived the pandemic
Many local businesses have suffered or closed permanently during the pandemic, while others have found new opportunities. Most local LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs say they’re weathering the ordeal—thanks in part to rising support from individuals and institutions in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Cleveland Restoration Society reveals next three African American Civil Rights Trail markers
The Cleveland Restoration Society has announced the next three markers on the African American Civil Rights Trail. Eventually, 10 historical markers will memorialize locations associated with Cleveland’s struggle for Civil Rights between 1954 and 1976.
#CLEative Groove: Meet Lisa Ligus, founder of Songbirds Music Therapy Services
Our #CLEative Groove series puts the spotlight on our city’s creative makers and shakers! Read on for our next installment with Lisa Ligus, founder of Songbirds Music Therapy Services.
Surging Central: Many neighborhood residents will now have access to fast, affordable internet
Affordable, high-speed internet service is rolling out this month in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood as part of Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish’s Central Neighborhood Surge plan to expand wireless internet access in the neighborhood.
Pride in the CLE: Annual to festival to return in June to in-person reverie with a new location
Pride in the CLE—the annual event celebrating LGBTQ+ rights, culture and liberation—will be returning to downtown Cleveland on Saturday, June 4.
Reviewing 2021: A baker’s dozen of the top FreshWater stories of last year
FreshWater takes a look back at 13 of our favorite stories from 2021. Happy New Year!
Harness Collective is bringing new vision to the historic Vitrolite building in Ohio City
Harness Cycle has been a cult staple with spinning and fitness enthusiasts in Ohio City since 2013, but founder Anne Hartnett and CEO Andria Loczi have had their wheels turning on an even bigger vision in recent years.
With game-changing grant, Colors+ is set to explode in square footage and LGBTQ+ youth support
Three Arches Foundation recently made a $134,000 grant to Colors+ Youth Center—allowing the organization to sign a lease on a new facility and further its mission of strengthening LGBTQ+ youth and allies by promoting individual and community wellness.
Beyond shade and powder: These make-up lessons prove to be so much more for transgender clients
Makeup artist Coco Miletti and her assistant, Jake Hallett, have made it their mission to be as inclusive as possible—serving the LGBTQ+ community with their makeup and skincare business.
I Live Here (now): How improv comedy paved Michael Busch's way back to CLE
Michael Busch grew up here during the era when Cleveland was more of a punchline, and now that he’s back after living in Los Angeles for 15 years, he’s rediscovering the Land—and bringing the laughs with him.
 
Women with wings: Inside the International Women’s Air & Space Museum
The annual Cleveland Air Show reminds us of the rich aviation-related history in our city and the state of Ohio. Locals have heard of the Cleveland Air Races and seen historical aircraft at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. Yet some Clevelanders may not be aware of the significant role of women in aviation history—and the museum at Burke Lakefront Airport that celebrates them.
Cleveland Restoration Society receives funding for an African American Cultural Heritage Fellow
The Cleveland Restoration Society is looking for a one-year Fellow to help implement its Cleveland Civil Rights Trail project. 
In her own words: A journey toward racial reconciliation and eliminating systemic racism
Slavic Village community steward Toni White shares her thoughts on her efforts to rid her neighborhood of racism, prejudice, and bigotry through open and honest discussion.
Groups break ground on Ubuntu Gathering Place in Buckeye-Woodland Hills neighborhood
The Western Reserve Land Conservancy and other organizations celebrated the groundbreaking of Ubuntu Gathering Place—the beginning of a community park on an abandoned lot in Buckeye. 
The Great Lakes African American Writers Conference turns the page toward its 2021 event
As the author of "Little Lumpy's Book of Blessings," Rev. Dr. Leah Lewis is no stranger to the path to publication—and she founded the Great Lakes African American Writers Conference to help make sure others don’t get burned along the way.
Mexico joins the Cleveland Cultural Gardens just in time for One World Day
Mexico is now represented in the Cleveland Cultural Garden and Comite Mexicano de Cleveland will celebrate One World Day with food and activities this Sunday, Aug. 29.
Converge: Artists Archives presents the works of 71 regional artists to share the LGBTQ experience
CONVERGE, a visual art exhibition will feature more than 200 works of art by 71 regional artists and shown across five venues. The exhibit brings together the stories of the LGBTQ+ community, including the struggles with AIDS, the historically underrepresented voices of women, transgender people, and people of color.