Listen to this articleBy Sharon A. Lewis Each year minority people from all walks of life achieve “firsts” and there is no doubt it will continue into the future. The tenure of Constance Hill-Johnson, the first African American woman to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Cleveland Foundation, began in April […]
Posted inNeighborhood Hero
Cowboy The Backyard Music Man
Quest Writer Johnnie L. Mayhew has been deejaying music for more than twenty-three years. Known as Cowboy, The Backyard Music Man, he is a role model for his community. Mayhew’s influence on the youth is positive and constructive. His commitment to entertainment, community and food is real. “I spin R&B, Hip Hop, Blues, and Jazz, […]
Posted inWealth
Holiday Prep: Mindful Money Edition
Listen to this articleGuest Writer Oh, the holidays. A time when money & mental health are often stretched & fluctuate. What’s the best way to enjoy the holiday season? Holistically! Ask yourself these 3 proactive questions to make this holiday season the best one yet. The Big 3 Q: How does money make me feel? […]
Posted inFaith
Pray and Wait
by Larry Frazier We live in an instant world. You can easily have all the components of a meal, or a whole meal, in a packet. Just add water. The advancements in technology have made us impatient about waiting for the things we want. Advertising programs have not helped either. Have it your way; receive […]
Posted inMILES, Community
Seniors Are Still Shakin’ It Up!
Listen to this articleVideo By Sharla Harris On Tuesdays and Thursdays around noon, at Frederick Douglass Recreation Center, located at 15400 Miles Ave., a group of seniors get together to “Make their Moves.” Women and men of all ages, sizes, and styles move to “Pressure” by Ari Lennox, “Let’s Get Back On Track” by Johnnie […]
Posted inHistory
Historically Marginalized Communities Adopt Anti-Black Racism
AN EDITORIAL Anti-Black racism is engraved in most cultures around the world, but its systematic origins have been around since the inception of the United States. Recent related actions went under the radar because of the economic lynching of Kyrie Irving and Kawnye West, exposed the strategic and racist plans to remove the black community […]
Posted inTechnology
Has the Internet Made Life Better or Worse?
Listen to this articleBy Kayla Blake and Jeremiah Al-Jeleel Technology and the internet have helped our society in unimaginable ways. Innovation has made life exponentially easier for us. For example, we now have information at our fingertips and can learn virtually anything a lot easier. However, as with everything else in life, the internet can have […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, TCO Kids Korner
TCO Kids Korner
By Trish Johnson Research has shown that exposure to the arts can help young people develop many positive skills such as persistence, collaboration, creative thinking, motivation, and problem-solving. The Cleveland Observer’s bi-monthly Kid’s Korner features drawings, paintings, and poetry created by our young citizens to support and recognize the talent and creativity in our community. We are very […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation
Protection Orders Keep Domestic Violence Survivors Safe
By Tonya Sams Survivors of domestic violence may need to take extra precautions after leaving their abusers. Filing a civil protection order (CPO) is one way that they can protect themselves. A CPO can be filed with the Domestic Relations Court or Common Pleas Court. Victims can do this on their own (called pro se) […]
Posted inFaith, Politics
Voting: It’s About Freedom!
An editorial by Larry Frazier Some people take freedom for granted because on the surface they have never been denied anything in life. They live their lives from day to day with no thought of American history, much less African-American history. But “freedom” is defined as: not being forcibly bound or confined by anyone or […]
Posted inEducation
Why Go To School?
By Margaret Adams Labor Day is over and students from pre-K through college are back in school. But why do we send our children to school? Is it because it’s the law? (YES!) We have heard and been told for years that if you go to school, it helps you get a job and if […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation, Living
How to Avoid the Child Welfare System
Listen to this articleBy Sheila Ferguson Currently, more than 2000 children are in the custody of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) through no fault of their own (cuyahogacounty.us). According to their website, “DCFS works to assure children at risk of abuse and neglect are protected and nurtured within a family and with […]
Posted inHealth
What Are You Drinking?
By Margaret Adams Drinking fluids is second nature to human beings because we must stay hydrated to live. During the early years of humanity, water was the fluid of necessity. As we have become modern, we have so many fluids to choose from—but are these choices good for us? We can choose to drink soda […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation
Ohio’s New Gun Law: Is The Problem The Solution?
By B.A. Calhoun In the wake of the Uvalde, Texas shooting at Robb Elementary School, the conversation surrounding gun reform and gun laws in political circles has so intensified that we are now seeing nearly immediate changes across the nation as well as in Cleveland’s own state of Ohio. Following the tragic slayings of 19 […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, TCO Kids Korner
TCO Kids Korner
By Trish Johnson We are very excited about the response to our column, and we also have some great news to share: one of the drawings by young artist William H., Jr. has been sold to one of our wonderful readers. Thank you, and congratulations William! Research has shown that exposure to the arts can […]
Posted inEducation
Is the School to Prison Pipeline Real?
Listen to this articleBy Kayla Blake According to the American University’s School of Education, the School-to-Prison Pipeline (SPP) refers to the “practices and policies that disproportionately place students of color into the criminal justice system” (2021). It is known for placing black and brown kids, especially boys, in jails and juvenile detention centers more than […]
Posted inHealth
Noise Pollution
By Sheila Ferguson Today the World Health Organization (WHO) calls noise pollution an immediate health crisis. We often think of issues of optimal nutrition and exercise as the primary keys to staying healthy. However, we all must be on guard for continuous exposure to loud noises and disturbing sounds. You could be risking your health […]
Posted inHealth
Nursing Home Myths and Facts
By Margaret Adams We have all heard people and family members say that they would never put their loved ones in a nursing home. With the recent closure of Eliza Bryant Nursing Home, a historic Black-owned facility, I was wondering why people have this sentiment. In many cultures, caring for one’s elders is expected behavior. […]
Posted inLocal
Trusted News Box
Listen to this articleOur Commitment To You Throughout the time period leading to state and midterm elections in November, we’ll be covering issues and concerns around disenfranchised voters, people who are eligible to vote and choose not to. In the spirit of wanting to be political coverage you can trust, the Cleveland Observer makes the […]
Posted inTechnology
How to Scan a QR Code
Staff Writer How does a QR code work? Most Smart phones have a QR code reader installed and all you need to do is open your camera app. If you don’t have a QR code reader installed, you will need to install one. Once you have a QR Code reader installed on your smartphone, you’re […]
Posted inNational
Black Owned Media is Here To Stay, says Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI)
By Devon Jones and Ron Calhoun The mind-expanding Black-Owned Media Weekend hosted by the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute and sponsored by HP Inc. and Build in Tulsa, took place in Tulsa, OK June 16 – June 19. Black-Owned Media has been essential to combating discrimination and ensuring equity and equality in Black […]
Posted inHealth
Is Fast Food a Public Enemy?
Listen to this articleBy Jeremiah Al-Jeleel If I could change anything in the world I think I would change the reliance my community has on fast food. Fast food is defined as food that can be quickly prepared, and is usually inexpensive. It isn’t healthy or nutritious because the ingredients used to prepare it are […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, TCO Kids Korner
TCO Kids Korner
By Trish Johnson A big thank you to the readers and staff members of The Cleveland Observer for submitting original artwork created by your family members! We are very excited about the response to our new bi-monthly column. Research has shown that exposure to the Arts can help young people develop many positive skills such as […]
Posted inHealth
Heart Disease 101
By Sheila Ferguson Ph.D., LPCC I recently talked with retired Registered Nurse Corrie Tucker about heart health, heart disease warning signs, and steps to improve your health. According to Nurse Tucker Heart Disease, Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia, and Stroke are all preventable, and require diligent medical support and self-care. She also says that attending to your health, […]
Posted inHealth
Getting Heart Smart About High Cholesterol
Listen to this articleBy Sheila Ferguson Ph.D., LPCC Sixty-nine-year-old Carrie Little tells an all too familiar story about the surprises that can come with our annual physical exams. “I have always had a clean bill of health until now. However, my doctor called to say ‘your lab results indicate that your cholesterol levels are too […]
