The City Club of Cleveland Podcast

Ron Clark has been called "America's Educator," and serves as a teacher and administrator at the Ron Clark Academy, an award-winning and internationally acclaimed middle school in Atlanta, GA. The school serves as a training site for educators, and each year thousands of teachers and administrators from around the world visit the school to be trained in their methods for helping all students achieve success.\r\n\r\nHis outstanding success with students from low-wealth areas of North Carolina and New York City led him to be named Disney's American Teacher of the Year in 2000. He is a New York Times bestselling author whose book, The Essential 55, has sold over 1 million copies and has been published in 25 different countries. His classes have been honored at the White House on three separate occasions. Ron's teaching experiences in New York City are the subject of the uplifting film, The Ron Clark Story, starring Matthew Perry, better known as Chandler from the TV show \"Friends.\"\r\n\r\nJoin us at the City Club as we hear from Ron Clark on his latest book, Move Your Bus, where he applies his successful leadership principles to the business world. It is an effective and accessible guidebook, perfect for any manager looking to inspire and motivate his or her team.

For more than two decades, The City Club of Cleveland has hosted the annual High School Debate Championship.\r\n\r\nEvery year, the top two area high school debaters square off in a classic \"Lincoln-Douglas\" style debate at a Friday forum. This allows the debaters to compete-not only for the judges and audience in the room-but also for our radio and television audiences.\r\n\r\nThe debaters will be Max Zukerman of Solon High School, coached by Trina Castro and Matt Hill; and Brooke Gemechu of Hawken School, coached by Robert Shurtz and Eva Lamberson.\r\n\r\nThe finalists will debate the topic Resolved: The primary objective of the United States criminal justice system ought to be rehabilitation.\r\n\r\nJudging the debate are Corinne Lashley, Speech and Debate Coach at Chagrin Falls HS; Rich Kawolics, OSDA Hall of Fame Speech and Debate Coach at Laurel School; and Artis A. Arnold III, Managing Director at Huntington National Bank and City Club Board Member.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of BakerHostetler, we are honored to support this annual tradition in memory of Patrick Jordan--a lawyer, fierce protector of democracy and free speech, and a championship debater himself.

Award-winning Author and Historian Heather Cox Richardson reminds us that the past doesn\'t repeat itself; it rhymes. To understand today\'s political landscape, you must understand how we got here. In 2019, Richardson began publishing Letters from an American on Substack--which expertly offered forthright historical background in the face of an unrelenting news cycle. She quickly garnered over one million subscribers, making her one of the most successful authors on the platform. This series, in addition to her interactions with readers, helped inform her latest book, Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America.\r\n\r\nDemocracy is not a static institution but a living, evolving process that requires constant vigilance and participation from all of us. At a time when the very foundations of democracy seem under threat, how can the lessons of the past offer a roadmap for navigating a moment of political crisis? And what should we pay attention to, and what possible paths lie ahead?\r\n\r\nRichardson is a Professor of History at Boston College. She has written about the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, and the American West in award-winning books whose subjects stretch from the European settlement of the North American continent to the history of the Republican Party through the Trump administration.\r\n\r\nJoin us at the City Club as Katie Paris, Founder of Red Wine and Blue leads a conversation with Heather Cox Richardson on how we, as a nation, can take the lessons of the past to address today's challenges and secure a more just and equitable future.

According to US News, more than 7,500 people were killed in 2022 after being struck by vehicles while walking along or across U.S. roadways. The highest level seen in 41 years and up 77% since 2010. A similar trend is seen among cyclists, which in 2023 saw one of its deadliest years on record for bike fatalities. Larger vehicles, reckless driving habits picked up during the pandemic lockdown, and car-centric urban design have all been cited as possible explanations for the increase in fatalities. But when looking at the data and hearing the heart-wrenching stories of families and friends impacted by pedestrian deaths and injuries, it\'s clear more should be done to ensure it\'s safe to walk and bike in America.\r\n\r\nRight now, several plans are in the works to improve pedestrian experiences and bike pathways in Cleveland. The City of Cleveland is in the process of developing a Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate serious injuries and deaths on Cleveland roads. Lorain Avenue, Superior Ave, and even the Lakefront and Riverfront planning designs are in development--providing an incredible opportunity to incorporate strategies that increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.\r\n\r\nCan we rebuild a city that works for not just cars, but also pedestrians and cyclists? And what can we learn from best practices in planning and policy? Join us at the City Club to hear from local experts on past and current efforts, and what else can be done to ensure all cities - including Cleveland - have truly walkable and bikeable streets.

County prosecuting attorneys aren\'t just responsible for prosecuting criminals--they lead an office of attorneys and professionals who decide what crimes get charged, indicted, and prosecuted. Their vision and leadership is a critical piece in how justice is defined for the communities they serve.\r\n\r\nTwo candidates are running in the March 19th Democratic primary. Because of the political demographics of Cuyahoga County, the winner of the Democratic primary has a very good chance of winning the general election. Matthew Ahn is a professor at Cleveland State University College of Law. He has worked in the Federal Public Defender\'s office and clerked for judges at the federal level, as well.\r\n\r\nIncumbent Michael O\'Malley is in his second term as County Prosecutor.\r\n\r\nThe debate is moderated by Nick Castele, Government Reporter, Signal Cleveland.

In the face of dwindling arts funding and shrinking audiences, and while many theaters have been forced to shutter, five small to midsize theatre companies came together in Spring 2023 to share resources, foster collective learning, and champion new visions for the American Theater. Their goal, individually and collectively, is to center historically marginalized artists and audiences in all facets of their work while developing new models for artistic production, audience building, community engagement, new play development, and organizational leadership.\r\n\r\nIn January 2024, Cleveland Public Theatre was among a cohort of companies that received historic support from the Mellon Foundation--allowing them to continue innovating strategies that can be replicated by the national field.

In early April, Cleveland will host the 2024 NCAA Women's Final Four, headlining a much anticipated week of events drawing the nation\'s, and the world\'s attention on our city.\r\n\r\nThe growth of the Women\'s Final Four is actively driving the future of women\'s sports. In addition to top collegiate athletes like Caitlin Clark of Iowa dominating the scoreboard and headlines--increased coverage and broadcasts of women\'s sports across the country has created significant influence far beyond the court. The energy behind this year\'s competition is as high as it has ever been.\r\n\r\nWhat areas can Cleveland expect to see the greatest impacts on their local communities? Is Cleveland ready? And how can the NCAA and its partners leverage this unique opportunity for the benefit of women\'s sports locally and beyond?

Over the last 50 years, Cleveland has lost about half its tree canopy due to development and disease. Experts say our tree coverage should be at least 30 percent; instead we\'re at 18% and falling. This statistic is worse in east side neighborhoods, like Central, which has only 6.5% tree canopy coverage.\r\n\r\nTrees are a critical piece of our community: They make neighborhoods healthier and safer; add economic value to homes and businesses; help meet environmental challenges; and give us all a stronger connection to nature that improves mental health.\r\n\r\nWhat can be done to ensure our City meets its ambitious goal of 30% tree coverage by 2040? Right now, a collaboration of public, private, and community stakeholders have been working to advocate for funding, policy changes, and public awareness of the importance of rebuilding the urban forest.

Since the beginning days of the COVID-19 pandemic, two of Northeast Ohio's largest health institutions, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, found common ground to address our generation\'s biggest public health emergency. We heard about some of the lessons learned and partnerships forged right here at the City Club in August 2021. Now, these two health institutions made good on their promise to continue their collaborative and innovative work-going even further to improve the health and well-being of our communities.\r\n\r\nJoin us as Cleveland Clinic\'s, Tomislav Mihaljevic, M.D. and University Hospital\'s Cliff A. Megerian, M.D. discuss their health systems\' continued work together on critical issues like hunger, the opioid epidemic, workforce development, and more!

As the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Steven Dettelbach is charged with overseeing the federal agency charged with protecting the public by enforcing laws and regulations related to firearms, explosives, arson, and alcohol and tobacco trafficking. He was appointed to the role by President Biden in July 2022, at a critical time in the fight against violent crime in the country. In his second year as director, Dettelbach has advocated for a strategy that focuses on community partnerships, citizen education, and working with state, local, and tribal partners to find solutions that keep Americans safe and improve public safety.\r\n\r\nDirector Dettelbach, a Cleveland native, brings a wealth of experience to this position. From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Dettelbach served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. As U.S. Attorney, he oversaw high-profile investigations and both managed and personally handled large-scale, crisis-level litigations. He also supervised a broad docket of complex affirmative and defensive civil matters. Mr. Dettelbach began his career clerking for the Hon. Stanley Sporkin, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. He was also detailed as counsel to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Most recently, Mr. Dettelbach was a partner and litigation group leader at a major national law firm. Mr. Dettelbach is the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his service. Mr. Dettelbach received his J.D. from Harvard University in 1991 and his B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1988.