Listen to this articleBy Vince Robinson James Baldwin’s play “The Amen Corner,” directed by Terrence Spivey, is wowing audiences at Akron’s Weathervane Playhouse. Baldwin was a noted author/activist known for speaking out against societal ills. In this Baldwin, his first play, he tackled relationships, religion, and racism, true to his form as a writer and […]
Posted inHealth, Living, Trending News
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 […]
Posted inLiving, SLAVIC VILLAGE
How One Woman Turned Her Setbacks into Success
Listen to this articleBy Sarai Murdock Cleveland resident and community resource advocate, Odetta Fields, has dedicated her life to helping others avoid the mistakes she made. From her time in prison to her role in establishing a resource center in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood, Jordan’s journey underscores the challenges faced by incarcerated women and the […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, National, Trending News
Ailey II at the Whitney Museum of American Art: Movement, Memory, and Meaning
Listen to this articleBy Unity Powell The Whitney Museum of American Art “Edges of Ailey” exhibit is showing in New York City until Feb. 9, and its impact ripples far beyond, reaching even back to Cleveland. For Clevelanders, the night held an extra special connection. One of Ailey II’s standout dancers calls Cleveland home. When […]
Posted inEducation, Opinion
Opinion: Banning Books Threatens Our Freedom
Listen to this articleEditor’s note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author. By Marissa Valentine “Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.” – Benjamin Franklin Knowledge is Power What is a banned or challenged book, and why should you care? If you enjoy movies, […]
Posted inEducation, Local
From Campus to Coffee Shop: Education Serves
Listen to this articleBy Unity Powell It’s Saturday morning amidst the cozy, bustling atmosphere of UnBar Cafe, a coffee shop in the Larchmere community on Cleveland’s east side. Adam Banks, PhD is throwing out Black music references, folded into his conversation. Over the hum of espresso machines, blenders, and the door opening you hear topics […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local
Cleveland’s Core Four Arts Institutions Give Back to the Community
Listen to this articleBy Lisa O’Brien Editor’s note: The Cleveland Observer presents an exploration of how Cleveland’s core four arts institutions—the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Orchestra, Playhouse Square, and the Rock Hall of Fame —impact and engage with our community. In this on-going series, Lisa O’Brien takes a closer look at how these […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
US teacher jailed in Russia is formally designated as wrongfully detained
Listen to this articleAP-US-Teacher-Arrested-Russia, WASHINGTON (AP) — An American schoolteacher arrested in Russia on drug charges more than three years ago has been designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained, the State Department said Friday. Marc Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, is serving a 14-year prison sentence after being arrested in August 2021 […]
Posted inNational
Florida requires teaching Black history. Some don’t trust schools to do it justice
Listen to this article AP-US-Florida-Black-History, 1st Ld-Writethru By KATE PAYNE Associated Press/Report for America Eds: EDITS: Fixes a typo in the opening sentence. Sends to additional audiences. With AP Photos. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Buried among Florida’s manicured golf courses and sprawling suburbs are the artifacts of its slave-holding past: the long-lost cemeteries of enslaved people, the […]
Posted inCLEVELAND, OBSERVERS AI, Politics
Cleveland Council Legislation Undergoes First Reading and Board of Control Resolutions Report: November — December 2024
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 […]
Posted inHistory
Arutisuse: December 24 is a Day to Honor Freedom and Resilience
Listen to this articleBy Ron Calhoun What makes Dec. 24 a cornerstone of empowerment for Foundational Black Americans (FBA)? It is the celebration of Arutisuse, a holiday dedicated to the enduring legacy of resistance, resilience, and cultural triumph of FBA. On this day, FBA honor their ancestors’ brave acts of liberation during one of the […]
Posted inEducation
Mayor Bibb Appoints Three New CMSD Board of Education Members
Listen to this articleBy Rosie Palfy The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Board of Education has three new members. Mayor Justin Bibb announced the appointments of Caroline Peak, Jerry Billups, and Pastor Ivory Jones III in a press release on Dec. 3. The mayor wrote that he was “delighted to welcome” the new Board members.“Their […]
Posted inFaith
Rejoice: The Lord is at Hand
Listen to this articleBy Pastor Ron Rollins When was the last time you felt a moment of pure joy? In a world that often feels overwhelmed by bad news and uncertainty, finding reasons to celebrate can seem difficult. Our days are filled with stories of war, disasters, neighborhood tensions, and illnesses affecting those we love. […]
Posted inWealth
Retire Rich: An Easy IRA Guide
Listen to this articleDiscover the straightforward path to a prosperous retirement with Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). This guide builds on our previous discussion, simplifying the process of using IRAs for wealth accumulation Understanding IRAs in Wealth Building Tax Benefits: Traditional IRAs offer tax-deferred growth, and Roth IRAs provide tax-free growth, maximizing your savings Compound Interest: […]
Posted inOBSERVERS AI
Cleveland City Council Unveils Redistricting Plan: Wards Reduced from 17 to 15 Amid Population Shifts
Listen to this articleCleveland City Council has unveiled a proposed redistricting plan to reduce the number of wards from 17 to 15, as mandated by the City Charter due to population changes. This adjustment reflects the city’s evolving demographics and aims to ensure equitable representation across all wards. Key Changes in the Proposed Ward Map: […]
Posted inWealth
Minority Businesses: Become Eligible For Government and Corporate Contracts
Listen to this articleBy Raland (cq) Hatchett, President and CEO RH Professional Services RH Professional Services provide strategic, balanced, and objective business and corporate management consulting services to save businesses time and money. RH partners with corporate management to improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and social impact. Raland consulting company is […]
Posted inState
Day 2 of Protests in Akron and Statements on Body-Cam Footage in Jazmir Tucker Shooting
Listen to this articleAkron, Ohio (TCO) — On the second consecutive day of protests, Akron residents gathered downtown to demand justice for 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker, who was fatally shot by police on Nov. 28. The demonstrations come in response to the release of body-worn camera footage and official statements from Mayor Shammas Malik and Police […]
Posted inOBSERVERS AI
Residents Provide Feedback on Cleveland City Council Redistricting
Listen to this articleBy Lisa O’Brien With the Cleveland City Council community feedback meetings and the national election in the rearview mirror, it is high time for another update on the city’s redistricting process. On Oct. 15, 16, and 17, the Cleveland City Council hosted three community feedback meetings across the city to give residents […]
Posted inOBSERVERS AI
Council Legislation Undergoes First Reading: Nov 2024
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 You Tax Dollars are Being Spent […]
Posted inPolitics
Cleveland Council Legislative Updates November 2024
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 You Tax Dollars are Being Spent […]
Posted inSUBURBS
Warrensville Hts Elementary School Student and His NaNa Publish Their First Book
Listen to this articleBy Marissa Valentine Warrensville Hts City School District, Communications Coordinator Warrensville Hts second grader R.J. Woodford’s story as an author isn’t by happenstance. His secure relationship with his grandmother whom he refers to as Nana, and his quest for knowledge were the perfect combination for a children’s book to be created about […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Opinion: Moderates and Independents Have Spoken—Will Someone Finally Listen?
Listen to this articleThe 2024 election has come and gone, but it left behind a big lesson: voters in the middle—moderates and independents—made their voices heard. These aren’t the loud partisans who dominate the headlines. They’re the millions of people who don’t fit neatly into the “blue” or “red” box, and they’re tired of being […]
Posted inFAIRFAX, History
Olivet Institutional Baptist Church Earns Cleveland Civil Rights Trail Marker
Listen to this articleA Cleveland Civil Rights Trail historical marker was unveiled at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church on Nov. 15. The Cleveland Restoration Society, in collaboration with the Ohio History Connection, placed the marker in front of Olivet, described by its former 33-year pastor, the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr., as the Cleveland home base […]
Posted inCLE Streets
How Cleveland Youth Feel About Gun Violence
Listen to this articleBy Sarai Murdock Following the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, gun laws and U.S. citizens’ access to firearms have become a major topic of discussion. In Ohio, you must be 18 to purchase a firearm and 21 to buy a handgun. “I grew up around guns all of my life,” 19-year-old […]
Posted inLiving
Better Business Bureau Warns of Scams Surrounding Medicare Open Enrollment
Listen to this articleTCO Staff/ChatGPT Medicare open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, and scammers are using this period to trick people out of money and personal information. BBB Scam Tracker frequently receives reports from consumers about scam calls and text messages from individuals posing as Medicare representatives. Consumers report receiving calls from […]
