Listen to this articleGrammy Award-winning artist Anthony “Krayzie Bone” Henderson and his nonprofit, Spread the Love Foundation (STLF), partnered with students at Euclid High School to share real-world business, marketing, and music experiences that could help students in their future careers. The program kicked off on Thursday, March 7, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 […]
Political Fatigue is Real: How to Stop Doom-Scrolling and Start Healing
Listen to this articleBy Marissa Valentine Some may remember the isolation, pressure, and anxiety that surfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now some may feel held hostage by the unprecedented barrage of breaking news articles documenting everything that has happened since the recent change of office in the White House.If you’re like me and the 70% […]
How Leadership Can Drive Economic Justice in Our Communities
Listen to this articleBy Ray’Chel Wilson Leadership’s Role in Economic Justice Economic justice is a widely discussed issue, often framed around policy changes and systemic shifts. However, history shows that leadership at all levels, personal, community, and institutional play a crucial role in advancing financial equity. One historical figure who exemplified this was Monsieur de […]
New Era Cleveland Receives $150K Grant to Expand Community Services
Listen to this articleBy Sarai Murdock New Era Cleveland, a grassroots organization focused on violence prevention and community activism, has received a $150,000 grant from the Saint Luke’s Foundation, part of a $1.7 million funding initiative awarded to 20 local organizations. This marks the first time New Era Cleveland has received a six-figure grant, a […]
City Council Legislation Undergoes First Reading: January – February 2025
Listen to this articleThe Cleveland Observer is dedicated to keeping residents informed about legislative activities under review. By reporting on ordinances and resolutions during their initial stages, the Observer enables community members to engage with their Council members, providing feedback or expressing support before final decisions are made. How Your Tax Dollars are Being Spent […]
Proposed Medicaid Work Requirements Could Leave 61,826 Ohioans Without Health Insurance
Listen to this articleBy Ron Calhoun A proposed policy by the Ohio Department of Medicaid could strip health insurance from an estimated 61,826 residents if new work requirements are enacted. Critics warn the move will disproportionately harm vulnerable populations, creating significant barriers to healthcare access across the state. Under the proposed rules, Medicaid recipients aged […]
Cleveland’s Core Four Arts Institutions: How They Reinvest in the City: Part 2
Listen to this articleBy Lisa O’Brien Editor’s Note: In this article, TCO continues its exploration from the last issue about how Cleveland’s four biggest arts institutions give back to the community. In this issue, we will look at the efforts of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Museum of Art. The […]
Suspect in Tupac Shakur killing seeks to delay trial as defense identifies new witnesses
Listen to this articleLAS VEGAS (AP) — Attorneys for the man suspected of killing rap icon Tupac Shakur want to delay next month’s trial, saying more time is needed for investigative work to ensure that Duane “Keffe D” Davis gets a fair trial. The motion filed Friday in a Nevada court provides insight into Davis’ […]
Red dye No. 3 has been banned, but what about other artificial food dyes?
Listen to this articleBy JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the dye known as Red 3 from the nation’s food supply in January, setting deadlines for stripping the brightly hued additive from candies and cough syrup, baked goods and frozen treats. The agency said it was taking the action because studies […]
Woman withdraws civil lawsuit against Jay-Z, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs alleging she was raped at age 13
Listen to this articleBy SUSAN HAIGH and JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. Associated Press An Alabama woman who said she was raped by rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs when she was 13 withdrew her civil lawsuit against both men on Friday, according to court filings. The unidentified woman in December added Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, […]
IRS will lay off thousands of probationary workers in the middle of tax season
Listen to this articleBy FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS will lay off thousands of probationary workers in the middle of tax season, according to two sources familiar with the agency’s plans, and cuts could happen as soon as next week. This comes as the Trump administration intensified sweeping efforts to shrink […]
Individualized Education Plans Can Help Struggling Students
Listen to this articleBy Tonya Sams Parenting is never easy and it becomes even more challenging when a child encounters difficulties at school. If a student is struggling with schoolwork, facing repeated suspensions, or dealing with other issues, additional support may be necessary. Requesting an evaluation for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) can help identify […]
Encouraging Words for 2025 From the TCO Team
Listen to this articleThe Cleveland Observer Team Be Certain That You Are Not Alone Happy 2025! As the beginning of a new year always brings plenty of uncertainties with changing political climates, personal matters, weather, and you name it, I want to remind you of some things you can be certain. You can be certain […]
10 Simple Steps to Crush Your New Year’s Resolutions and Love the Year Ahead
Listen to this articleBy Desiree R. James, MBA, LISW gittinmyishtogether.com Portions of this content were created with assistance from OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Every January, we make promises to eat better, work out, save more, and stress less. But let’s be honest—it’s hard to stick to resolutions. In fact, 23% of people give up in the first […]
Music, Mentorship, and Legacy: The Journey of Dr. David M. Thomas
Listen to this articleBy Unity Powell On a gray, rainy day at Cleveland School of the Arts, a choir of teens practiced an upbeat medley of songs accompanied by piano. Dr. David M. Thomas stood, watching his colleague lead the students through the arrangement. While passing through to get to his class, it was obvious that […]
The early works of Langston Hughes arm us with wisdom, hope, and power to fight for a liberation yet to arrive
Listen to this articleby David Woo, The Emancipator January 9, 2025 For over a century, the work of Langston Hughes has offered a poetic vision arising from his courageous engagement with Black experience and culture. His work spoke in the popular rhythms of the blues and jazz and the unadorned yet lilting everyday vernacular. Charming, […]
In ‘Black Liturgies,’ thoughts and prayers we can actually use
Listen to this articleby Adeline Gutierrez, The Emancipator February 10, 2025 Growing up in my Dominican household, I heard it all. “Don’t go in the sun because you’ll get darker, and your skin will look dirty.” “You have bad hair or ‘pelo malo.’” Marry lighter to “better the race.” This type of culturally ingrained and […]
Oscar presenters will include Halle Berry and Emma Stone. Here’s what to know about the show
Listen to this articleBy The Associated Press After devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards are going forward. The academy on Tuesday announced that Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Elle Fanning, Whoopi Goldberg, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Amy Poehler, June Squibb and Bowen Yang have been added to the presenting lineup. A previous […]
Kent State University: The Birthplace of Black History Month
Listen to this articleBy Lisa O’Brien As February approaches, many people are familiar with Black History Month but not as many are familiar with the fact that the monthly celebration began here in Northeast Ohio at Kent State University. Black History Month began as just a week-long celebration in the second week of February called […]
City Council Legislation Undergoes First Reading: January 2025
Listen to this articleThe Cleveland Observer is dedicated to keeping residents informed about legislative activities under review. By reporting on ordinances and resolutions during their initial stages, the Observer enables community members to engage with their Council members, providing feedback or expressing support before final decisions are made. How Your Tax Dollars are Being Spent […]
FAT HAM at CPH
Listen to this articleShakespeare’s Hamlet has been invited to the backyard barbeque! Get your plate ready for a slab of smokin’ hot revenge, served with a hefty scoop of vengeance, and a side of karaoke. Without spilling too much of the sweet tea, a visit from beyond the grave reveals family secrets and scandalous generational trauma. How […]
Banned Book Review: ‘Justice Mercy’ A Story of Justice and Redemption’ in the Prison System
Listen to this articleBy: Marissa Valentine “Capital punishment means, them without the capital, get the punishment.” – Bryan Stevenson As I continue to examine the theme of banned books, the motifs that were common in the books banned or challenged covered topics of race, gender, and sexuality. These particular topics constantly seem to be a […]
Celebrating 100 Years of Impact: Lady Pearl Shields’ Legacy of Leadership and Love
Listen to this articleBy Ron Calhoun Imagine living a life so full of purpose, service, and love that it inspires generations to follow in your footsteps. On January 8, Cleveland’s very own Lady Pearl Shields celebrated her 100th birthday, and her story is one for the ages—a blueprint for resilience, leadership, and making a difference. […]
Opinion: Cleveland Must Fulfill its Promise to Address Racism as a Public Health Crisis
Listen to this articleBy Yvonka Marie Hall Executive Director Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition Editor’s note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author. In 2020, the world experienced a profound awakening regarding social justice and racial equity. In response, Cleveland City Council adopted Resolution 296-2020, officially declaring racism a public health crisis. In […]
Cleveland Public Library Celebrates Opening of Martin Luther King Jr. Campus
Listen to this articleBy Ron Calhoun The Cleveland Public Library unveiled its long-awaited Martin Luther King Jr. campus on Jan 25th, marking the culmination of a decade of planning and development.The new two-story branch includes 207 apartments located above the library, a first-of-its-kind partnership between the library system and a private developer. This milestone is […]



