By Ron Calhoun
The African American community has lost a booming voice of information, passion, history, and trust with recent the passing of Mansfield Frazier.
That transformative voice rose from the raw and dangerous Cleveland streets to incarceration and activism, pushing through economic inequity and landing on spiritual awareness.
Within minutes of any conversation with Mansfield, you knew he was passionate about the Black community, Cleveland and “Hough,” the neighborhood he lived in.
So passionate about Hough, that Mansfield Frazier, along with his wife Brenda, was of the early few who had embraced the vision of former Councilwoman Fannie Lewis — at a time when not many had the courage to build a home “down there” where the Hough uprising took place.
Many others, including Cindy and Al Mumford, Vicky Williams, Jackie Flournoy, and the Renaissance Group (12 to 15 families), envisioning a new day in Hough would ultimately also build their homes in the community.
Mansfield was an open book about his transformation from being a convict to becoming an entrepreneur. He would often say, “Leaders make tough decisions.” His decisions effectively built his legacy, uplifted the community, and more importantly changed his life.
Mansfield read as regularly as most people eat. He loved to read. Most surprising about him was his knowledge of business and African American history. But his favorite topic was Cleveland history. Mansfield loved to talk about Cleveland politics and racism. You might not know he was also a radio host on WGAR 1100 AM on Sunday evenings, tackling tough questions and conversations with callers over the air. 
Mr. Frazier was also a Realty developer. He created Neighborhood Solutions a non-profit that helped formerly incarcerated individuals to transition back into society.
The Chateau Hough, an urban vineyard on the corner of East 66th Street and Hough Ave., managed and owned by Frazier is where many struggling ex-convicts in the neighborhood would work for hire, stop by and help in the vineyard, or just to talk about their struggles. Mansfield was willing and able to drop knowledge and a few needed coins to help get you through another day.
Mansfield knew a lot of people. He could size you up within minutes of a short conversation, no matter your economic status. Simply put, Mansfield was a gamer from the streets—Game Recognize Game!
This rugged, gruff man with a piercing baritone voice would melt and glow like hot gold whenever he was around his daughters. You could feel the love. He would say family is everything. His last words to me, “Love you man!”
