Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill (HB) 250, requiring each school district and community school to adopt a cell phone policy by July 1, 2025. While schools have the flexibility to choose a policy that fits their needs, many have taken varying approaches with a broad range of impacts. The new law aims to reduce distractions in schools that…

Northeast Ohio businesses, organizations, and communities are already feeling the impacts of the Trump administration\'s executive orders on immigration. On January 20th, the Trump Administration halted refugee resettlement--stranding some refugees within hours of their scheduled travel to the US. And then on Sunday, January 26th, Cilantro Taqueria…

Since 2014, the City of Cleveland has been under a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice to address a finding that the division exhibited an unconstitutional pattern or practice of excessive force. The investigation that led to that finding was sparked by the 2012 shooting of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams. A 23-mile car chase in…

Through February, the stage production of Fat Ham will premiere at the Cleveland Play House. It\'s a cleverly hilarious retelling of William Shakespeare\'s Hamlet through the eyes of \"Juicy,\" a Southern Black mama's boy during a backyard cookout. It unapologetically centers Black joy and flips masculinity on its head. For many, the play\'s premis…

More than a century of civil rights activism reached a mountaintop with the arrival of a Black man in the Oval Office. But hopes for a unified, post-racial America were deflated when Barack Obama's presidency was met with furious opposition, and a volcanic new movement-a second civil rights movement-began to erupt.\r\n\r\nNew Prize for These Eyes i…

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that about one out of every eight kids in America grows up in homes with a substance use problem. And according to the CDC, Fentanyl was responsible for nearly 70% of drug overdose deaths in 2022. Now, the film INHERITANCE places us all on the frontlines of the opioid crisis right here in Ohio.\r\n\r\nFi…

On November 6, 2023, Stephen Vogt was named the 45th manager of the Cleveland Guardians. He joined the club just two years after finishing his major league career and stepping into the seemingly unfillable shoes of Terry Francona. At the start, Vogt inherited the youngest roster in the MLB, and saw the loss of star pitcher Shane Bieber in the first…

Successful companies innovate every day and create products and value for their customers. Efforts to build a robust workforce are no different. Here in Northeast Ohio, manufacturing leaders are innovating, testing, and scaling new ways to solve their talent needs. Through innovative workforce partnerships, changing policies, and adjusting conditio…

Three years after moving into the national spotlight as CEO of YWCA USA, Margaret Mitchell is undoubtedly still considered a local hero right here in Northeast Ohio. Recognized for her successful efforts to declare racism a public health crisis in Cleveland and Ohio, Margaret Mitchell\'s leadership has left an indelible mark on the fight to build a…

After 15 years of leading Esperanza Inc. during its first 40 years of service, Victor Ruiz announced earlier this year he will be stepping down. Together with the board, he stated, \"Now is the time to introduce a fresh perspective and new ideas to lead the way toward Esperanza's next chapter.\" Located on Cleveland\'s West Side, Esperanza aims to …

The future of our downtown lakefront has always been a topic of conversation. In fact, studies as early as 1903 hoped to find solutions that enhanced our north shore. Over the decades, connectivity, access, as well as the challenge of Burke Lakefront Airport all have remained top concerns. Now, the decision by Haslam Sports Group to move the Clevel…

When thinking of entrepreneurs who serve as community champions, Connie Hill-Johnson and Kevin Johnson take this role to another level. Their life-long investments in economic development, volunteer efforts, and philanthropic contributions have left an indelible mark on Northeast Ohio. What can we learn from two of Cleveland\'s biggest champions on…

Trauma surgeon and professor Dr. Brian H. Williams has seen it all: gunshot wounds, stabbings, and traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Williams is also an Air Force Academy graduate, a Harvard-trained physician, a former congressional health policy advisor, and a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of public policy and structural racism, gun…

According to the Ohio Department of Health, the infant mortality rate not only serves as a key indicator of maternal and infant health but is also an important measure of the health status of a whole community.\r\n\r\nAnd this year at the Cleveland International Film Festival, a documentary film showcasing nurses\' heroic efforts to support mothers…

It has been roughly 40 years since the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our country, and thanks to extraordinary advances in antiretroviral therapy and support services, survivors are now living long, healthy lives. For this reason, more than half of people diagnosed with HIV in the United States are aged 50 and older. Now, researchers, doctors, a…

When Secretary Pete Buttigieg first joined us at the City Club in 2019, he was \"Mayor Pete\" of South Bend, Indiana, and already emerged as one of the nation\'s most visionary politicians. In 2021, he was sworn in as the nation\'s 19th Secretary of Transportation and is the first openly gay person confirmed to serve in a president\'s Cabinet. Duri…

Beth M. Hammack is the president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, one of 12 regional Reserve Banks in the Federal Reserve System. She began her term on August 21, 2024. In this capacity, she participates in the formulation of US monetary policy and oversees 1,100 employees in the Bank's Cleveland, Cincinnati, an…

In 1982, Ari Weinzweig, along with his partner Paul Saginaw, founded Zingerman's Delicatessen in Ann Arbor with a $20,000 bank loan, a Russian History degree from the University of Michigan, four years of experience washing dishes, cooking and managing in restaurant kitchens and chutzpah from his hometown of Chicago. They opened the doors with 2 em…

On November 22, 2014, just after 3:30 in the afternoon, a 12-year-old boy was shot by a police officer outside of the Cudell Recreation Center. Tamir Rice had been playing with a toy gun, an airsoft replica that was missing the telltale orange tip. The officer shot Rice twice less than two seconds after getting out of the police cruiser which had n…

At a time when the world seems fraught with polarization and violence, it\'s important to pause and witness the resiliency and solidarity of communities who are committed to working together to address poverty, injustices, inequality, and many other disparities.\r\n\r\nFounded in 1974, as a response to the predominate mission model at the time, IPM…

In the 2nd youth led forum of the year, we will focus on how racial inequities in education are deeply entrenched in the American school system, affecting not just individual students but the broader landscape of educational achievement and opportunity.\r\n\r\nResearch shows that schools with higher concentrations of students from marginalized raci…

Whatever the outcome, this year's general election will be both historic and consequential. Majorities in both the House and Senate hang on razor thin margins that could reverse this November. And with the race for the White House a statistical toss up, our nation could be welcoming either a glass ceiling shattering Democrat or the return of an exe…

The outcome of the 2024 election may not be decided the evening of Tuesday, November 5th, but regardless of the results, the next President will be faced with some of the most urgent and pressing decisions regarding foreign policy. Both Presidents Biden and Trump have attempted to move foreign policy in different directions, but with lukewarm resul…

Across America, we\'re still in the middle of a great re-making of the news industry. The decline that began several years ago hasn\'t abated, but new models of journalism are beginning to take root, many of them organized as nonprofits. Much of that growth is fueled by a new philanthropic collaborative. According to its website, \"Press Forward is…

New federal legislation (i.e., Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act) is currently and will continue to deliver over a trillion dollars in new investments in states and localities. These historic investments have the potential to reshape local and regional economies, while creating good jobs, accelerating the…

The Ohio Supreme Court is the highest court in the state system, consisting of six associate justices and one chief justice. All the seats on the court are elected at large by the voters of Ohio, and starting in 2022, Ohio became one of seven states that elects state supreme court justices based on partisan elections. This November 5th, six candida…

Ohio State stands at the doorway of great opportunity, firmly and uniquely positioned to be a leading national flagship public research university. Leading the way is Walter "Ted" Carter Jr., who was appointed as the 17th president of The Ohio State University by the Board of Trustees on August 22, 2023. He began his tenure at Ohio State on January…

Dr. Ala Stanford knew she wanted to be a doctor by the time she was eight years old. But role models were few and far between in her working-class North Philly neighborhood. Her teachers were dismissive, and the realities of racism, sexism, and poverty threatened to derail her at every turn. Nevertheless, thanks to her faith, family, and the sheer …

From social media advocacy to boots-on-the-ground campaign work, today's youth are more than just future voters-they're shaping the present and future of American democracy. With a record-high 53% of voters under 30 expected to turn out in the 2024 election, Millennials and Gen Z are not only making their voices heard at the ballot box but also inf…

In July 2024, Cindy Hohl was inaugurated as the next President of the American Library Association (ALA). As a member of the Santee Sioux Nation in Nebraska, she is the second Native American woman to serve as ALA President. During her term, she plans to focus on four main pillars of librarianship: intellectual freedom, literacy, learning, and lead…

FutureLAND is an annual multi-day conference celebrating the diversity in tech, arts, and culture in Northeast Ohio. The City Club is proud to partner with FutureLAND again this year for a special LIVE broadcast from the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square!\r\n\r\nThis year, we will hear from Everette Taylor, CEO of Kickstarter, the world's premier\r…

Stories have the power to transform cultures, organizations, and even entire nations. Ever since the advent of language, stories have inspired both emerging and established leaders--connecting us all to our humanity. Today, our world is facing increasing political polarization and an overreliance on digital technology. Add the arrival of artificial…

Kate Anderson Foley is a transformational leader with significant experience leading public school districts and states toward equitable and integrated services for all learners. Her work is grounded in social justice and breaking down the barriers for children who have historically been marginalized. Her latest book Radically Excellent School Impr…

Every year, roughly a thousand young people in the foster-care system in Ohio "age out" and are thrust into a reality where they are more likely to face homelessness, unemployment, and food scarcity. Child welfare agencies are working to fill the gaps, but opportunities remain.\r\n\r\nJoin the City Club as we hear from local leadership on how we ca…

According to a recent report by Harvard University, the first two decades of the 21st century were laser focused on \"increasing voter turnout among the \'low propensity\' voters in their communities, especially people of color and young people.\" These were groups largely "invisible" to the mainstream election industry. So, at the time, grassroots…

The City Club presents the annual State of the Schools address featuring CEO Dr. Warren G. Morgan, where he will speak about his priorities and progress after his first year leading the schools.\r\n\r\nDr. Morgan became CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Ohio's third-largest school district, in July 2023. As CEO, he is responsible for i…

The most enduring feature of U.S. history is the presence of Native Americans, yet most histories focus on Europeans and their descendants. A 2018 study by Reclaiming Native Truth found that nearly half of Americans believed what they were taught in schools about Native Americans was inaccurate; and 72 percent thought it was necessary to make signi…

As we head into the November election, tax policy is undoubtedly a top issue for many voters. K-12 schools, higher education, local governments, libraries, and more all rely on taxation to raise adequate revenue to provide public services. Tax policy has also been used as a tool to attract jobs, spur economic growth, and promote entrepreneurship. B…

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is Ohio\'s third-largest public school system, serving more than 36,000 students. It\'s home to state champion athletic and robotic programs; the nation\'s fourth Say Yes to Education district; and several innovative community partnerships in both the public and private sectors. At the same time, it…

If there ever were a time for James Zogby to revisit the City Club, it would be now. The last time we heard from him was in 2011 when he spoke about his latest book Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us and Why it Matters, which outlined America\'s problematic relationship with the Arab world, and why that relationship has remained persistently d…

County Executive Chris Ronayne delivers his second State of the County address at the newly renovated Atrium Ballroom at the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland. Executive Ronayne reflects on the County\'s achievements, address our challenges, and outline a vision for the future.Por [email protected] (Chris Ronayne)

As the legal battles over redistricting in the state drag on, Ohioans will have an opportunity to vote this November on an amendment that aims to put an end to gerrymandering. What does that mean for Ohioans? The citizen-led constitutional amendment put forth by Citizens Not Politicians seeks to replace the current Ohio Redistricting Commission wit…

University Circle is Cleveland's center of arts, culture, wellness, and education with a growing population and world-renowned institutions. It has the potential to help fuel Cleveland's economic future, but such questions remain as "Who has access to this district?" "How well known are we, really?" and "Is The Circle staying relevant in a changing…

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) vigilantly enforces federal civil rights laws in schools and other recipients of Department of Education federal funding throughout the nation-resolving case investigations, publishing policy resources, and providing school and community technical assistance. In a recent report, OCR reported the highest volume of c…

What if all Clevelanders were guaranteed a job? And that job offered a salary suitable enough to provide for their families? As it turns out, the idea of a jobs guarantee gained momentum in the 1940s with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Second Bill of Rights. Now, the City of Cleveland will become the first city in the nation to launch a $21 mill…

Freshwater is one of Earth\'s most precious resources. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), our Earth\'s freshwater habitats-lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and aquifers-house an incredible proportion of the world's biodiversity. More than 10% of all known animals and about 50% of all known fish species call our freshwater habitats home. B…

Taking your first bite of Chef Jeremy Umansky\'s fried chicken or pastrami sandwich is one of those blissful food moments that is guaranteed to live in your head rent-free. His secret ingredients? Koji-culturing, foraged edibles, and sustainable food sourcing that earned him four James Beard Award nominations, including Best New Restaurant, Best Ch…

President Biden\'s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential contest has fundamentally changed the race. It\'s not just that there\'s no historical precedent for an incumbent choosing not to run at such a late date, but Kamala Harris\' swift ascendancy as the presumptive Democratic nominee brings its own historical firsts and a tectonic shift…

Who Owns America ? (WHOA) is an ambitious effort by the Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS) at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy to uncover land ownership patterns with unprecedented accuracy, ease, and nuance. By equipping municipalities, states, and nonprofits with comprehensive, tailored analyses of ownership, WHOA helps purpose-driven orga…

As more of our daily lives move to the digital realm, protecting our sensitive information from unauthorized access, theft, and hacking has never been more important. Still, every month, major corporations, school districts, health systems, and even municipalities and public utilities have become targets of these increasingly sophisticated cyber th…