Listen to this articleThe Cleveland Observer Pending proposals would revise lead-safe rental rules, purchase Miles School for public-safety offices and extend Cleveland’s data-center permit moratorium. The Council authorizes $1.25M for eviction legal aid On Oct. 12, Cleveland City Council passed amended emergency Ordinance No. 1031-2026, authorizing the director of community development to enter into agreements […]
Design Review Committee tables UH plan to demolish 12 homes
Listen to this articleStaff Writer Editor’s note: Ron Calhoun, publisher of The Cleveland Observer, serves on the Central East Design Review Committee. Calhoun attended the Sept. 10 meeting and participated in the discussion and voted to table the University Hospitals proposal. Design reviewers want University Hospitals to show what would replace the century-old houses before […]
Baby, now what? The realities of new motherhood
Listen to this articleJennifer Bailey Editor’s note: “Baby, now what?” is a new series exploring the mental, physical and everyday realities of motherhood. The lines on the pregnancy test confirmed she was pregnant. Then came nine months of growing a life inside her body. The anticipation can feel as tall as a skyscraper. The mindset […]
Baby, now what? Postpartum mood changes
Listen to this articleJennifer Bailey Editor’s note: “Baby, now what?” is a new series exploring the mental, physical and everyday realities of motherhood. The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts woman accused of killing her three young children in 2023, ended in a mistrial Sept. 4 after jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict. […]
Column: My Uncle John said…
Listen to this articleLittle Miss Marva Bean My Uncle John is so smart! He really cares about what he believes in. I heard him tell the grown-ups at church that they need to vote. Afterward, my Auntie told him that maybe people weren’t registered to do so. He said he wasn’t speaking to those who […]
Is AI Affecting Our Young Students?
Listen to this articleKayla Blake On Nov. 30, 2022, ChatGPT was released to the public; five days later, it had attracted 1 million users. Since then, AI tools and chatbots have grown rapidly in popularity, according to OpenAI. Generative AI tools are increasingly relevant to schools, where students and educators may encounter them for writing, […]
Black Men’s Health Council launches in Cleveland
Listen to this articleDevon Jones Editor’s note: Writer Devon Jones is a co-chair and founding member of the Black Men’s Health Council. The Cleveland Observer publisher Ron Calhoun is also a founding member. Village of Healing (VOH) is a Cleveland-area health center that emphasizes culturally responsive care and operates locations in Cleveland and Euclid. It […]
Stevie Wonder announces tour, no Cleveland date
Listen to this articleStaff Writer Stevie Wonder’s newly announced Songs in the Key of Life Performances–50th Anniversary Tour includes Chicago and two Detroit performances, but no Cleveland date. Wonder announced the Songs in the Key of Life Performances – 50th Anniversary Tour on Sept. 8. The 19-show international tour begins Oct. 13 in Birmingham, England, […]
How hair care treatments affect Black hair health
Listen to this articleAmaya Gentry Straightening techniques such as combing, heating and relaxing can cause damage to Black hair over time. Research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that Black women with natural hairstyles were perceived as less professional and competent. A 2023 Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) […]
Trump names Cleveland Heights pastor for CDC role
Listen to this articleStaff Writer CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — President Donald Trump said in a Sept. 1 Truth Social post that Cleveland Heights pastor Darrell Scott would serve as an adviser on tobacco health issues on the CDC’s Advisory Committee to the Director. Trump described Scott as a longtime friend, faith leader and advocate for […]
Opinion: Charleston’s International African American Museum
Listen to this articleS.A. Lewis The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Cleveland Observer. Every culture holds fast to its history, and it is incumbent upon each of us to know our own. Maya Angelou is quoted as having said, “I have […]
The 7th Annual Fresh Fest Cleveland at Rid-All Farm and Otter Park
Listen to this article Photo: Hip Hop Legend Rakim (r) with Technician the DJ (background). The 7th Annual Fresh Fest Cleveland took place at Rid-All Farm and Otter Park on September 12, 2026. It featured performances by Hip Hop Legend Rakim and the Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band. It was a full day of live […]
Understanding the costs and benefits of tree removal
Listen to this articleAmaya Gentry Severe storms, high winds and ice in Northeast Ohio can damage trees and threaten homes, vehicles, utility lines and public spaces. Property owners deciding whether to remove a tree should weigh immediate safety risks against the environmental and economic benefits of retaining a healthy tree. Tree removal may be necessary […]
DEI policy changes during the Trump administration
Listen to this articleAmaya Gentry On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14151, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” The order directs federal officials to terminate specified DEI and DEIA programs and activities. Executive Order 13985 was revoked the same day by a separate order, Executive Order 14148, “Initial […]
CEDRC tables UH plan to demolish 12 East 115th Street homes
Listen to this articleStaff Writer Editor’s note: Ron Calhoun, publisher of The Cleveland Observer, serves on the Central East Design Review Committee since. Calhoun attended the Sept. 10 meeting and participated in the discussion and voted to table the University Hospitals proposal. Design reviewers want University Hospitals to show what would replace the century-old houses […]
Paying for therapy: Insurance or private pay?
Listen to this articleJennifer Bailey When choosing to seek therapy, the next decision is not necessarily which therapist to choose; it is whether to pay privately or use insurance. Both private pay and insurance have their benefits and challenges, which is why it is imperative to explore both options to decide which is best for […]
August 28th City Record Update: Cleveland approves $900,000 management training contract
Listen to this articleStaff Writer Aug. 28th City Record also details nearly $2 million in equipment and utility contracts, Opportunity Corridor land purchase and upcoming marijuana dispensary appeal CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s Board of Control approved a $900,000 contract for citywide management training, along with nearly $2 million in utility, vehicle and equipment purchases, according to […]
Let’s talk about it: The cost of code-switching
Listen to this articleJennifer Bailey The desire to be valued and accepted extends from our personal to our professional lives. But what happens when you don’t feel like you can be yourself at work and you have to hide or change aspects of yourself to fit in? This is called code-switching. The term is commonly […]
Northern Wind Martial Arts continues to blow across The Land
By Ron Calhoun A product of the Glenville neighborhood, Grand Master Greg Mayo has been teaching Martial Arts for over 50 years. Mayo says he is still learning at 71 years old. He has a faith-based outlook of what life is about, and he incorporates his spiritual understanding into Martial Science. Mayo’s instructions are based on the […]
Which Cleveland nonprofit websites serve residents best?
Listen to this articleAsha Kartha Many Clevelanders rely on social services and nonprofits in the community to get their basic needs met, but the digital age has exposed gaps in the quality of resources offered by local groups. This isn’t just a question of aesthetics; a website that is out of date and difficult to […]
Camara paints the soul, captivates the senses
Listen to this articleA’Niyah Williamson Camara Goodrich creates multidisciplinary mixed-media artwork that explores identity, nature, spirituality and the human experience. Through texture, unconventional materials and pieces that change under different lighting, Goodrich creates work designed to engage both the senses and emotions. Who is Camara? Goodrich’s mixed-media art pieces explore the mind, heart and soul. […]
Pastor Jeff Jackson finds purpose through faith
Listen to this articleBrittany Ervin Pain, loss and suffering brought Pastor Jeff Jackson closer to Christ. After reaching a point where he no longer wanted to live, his life changed after someone gave him a Bible during one of his darkest moments. Today, Jackson serves as senior pastor of Shaker Heights Community Church, where he […]
How sports betting ads influence bettors
Listen to this articleAmaya Gentry In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Murphy v. NCAA, struck down the federal prohibition and allowed states to authorize sports wagering Sports betting advertising has since become a prominent part of televised sports and other media. According to an ESPN article citing Nielsen Ad Intel research commissioned by the […]
Cleveland approves millions for North Coast Connector, City Hall design work
Recent city actions also cover fire equipment, property sales and upcoming zoning decisions CLEVELAND — Cleveland officials approved millions of dollars in additional professional services for the North Coast Connector and City Hall modernization projects, according to city records published Aug. 7 and Aug. 14. The actions were approved by Cleveland’s Board of Control and […]
Mental health: Better responses, better outcomes
Listen to this articleJennifer Bailey Instead of relying primarily on jail or hospital emergency departments for people experiencing mental health crises, communities are turning to collabortive programs to provide support and individualized care. Programs such as the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) in Denver Co. exemplify this approach. CIT programs, […]



