The City Club of Cleveland Podcast

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 involving 60 police officers ended in a parking lot in East Cleveland when 13 officers fired 137 shots into a vehicle, killing both Russell and Williams. Both were unarmed.\r\n\r\nThe consent decree requires the Cleveland Division of Police to reform its policies, practices, and procedures to address accountability, use of force, crisis intervention, and more. The Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC) was also established at this time, bringing 13 community voices into the process of police reform. The CPC\'s role was deepened after voters passed Issue 24 in 2021--giving the commission final say in disciplinary proceedings and policing policy police discipline cases and officer policies. The consent decree also calls on the community to be a part of the reform process through service in various groups and ongoing engagement through public forums.\r\n\r\nThe consent decree itself is broad-reaching, its work significant, and we have heard many perspectives on it over the last decade, most recently in a conversation about the legacy of Tamir Rice. Join us to hear about progress made, opportunities ahead, and challenges still to overcome from two of the leaders tasked with implementing the reforms: Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd, and Dr. Leigh Anderson, Executive Director of the Mayor\'s Police Accountability Team.

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 premise might cause a casual reader to double-take. Yet, the production won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama and was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Play. This summer, England\'s Royal Shakespeare Company itself will stage the European premiere.\r\n\r\n\r\nFrom Hollywood film to literature and theatre productions--contemporary spins on classics are not a new concept. These reinterpretations often reach new audiences, create new models for artistic production, and create space for entire communities.

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 is a follow up to his bestselling novel Eyes on the Prize, which accompanied the PBS series of the same name. In his new book, Williams outlines what fires, furies, and frustrations distinguish this 21st century movement from its predecessor and brilliantly traces the arc of this new civil rights era--from Obama to Charlottesville to January 6th.\r\n\r\nToday's movement is dealing with new realities. With demographic changes and a social media savvy generation, activists are making history in a new economic and cultural landscape. In an interview with Fox News, Williams said, \"I hope that all Americans, all people in this country will be able to say after they read this book, 'Oh my gosh. I am a historic figure.' And see themselves as actors in this moment of creating American history.\"\r\n\r\nJuan Williams is a prizewinning journalist and historian and the author of numerous books. Williams worked for The Washington Post as a celebrated national political correspondent, White House correspondent, and editorial writer. He has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Ebony. He is currently the Senior Political Analyst for Fox News Channel and a columnist for The Hill.

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\nFilmed over 11 years, INHERITANCE explores the underlying causes of the opioid epidemic in America through the life of one boy and five generations of his extended family. Curtis, a bright and hopeful 12-year-old, grows up in rural Appalachia surrounded by love and struggle while every adult in his family - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - battle addiction. Curtis's America is a country where people and communities are struggling with an epidemic of substance use disorder, joblessness, poverty, and a deteriorating sense of belonging. Can Curtis break the cycle of addiction that has plagued his family for generations?

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 week due to an elbow injury. By all accounts, the odds were stacked against him.\r\n\r\nBut what came next ended up being one of the Guardians best seasons in history, backed by the best bullpen in the majors, and an American League Central Division title for Cleveland. And dare we say it-just three wins shy of a World Series appearance.\r\n\r\nBut that wasn\'t enough. In November 2024, Vogt was named the 2024 American League Manager of the Year-the fifth youngest manager to win the award after receiving a resounding 27 of the 30 first place votes. He is the fastest person to go from player to Manager of the Year in the award's history. His success is credited to many things, but in particular, Vogt brings a new style of leadership and organizational culture that centers on humility, humor, and even passing the \"aux cord.\"

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 conditions to be more inclusive, these companies are producing results. Currently, strategies are underway to remove barriers to employment, increase coaching, and provide necessary support for non-native English speakers, for example.\r\n\r\nAs onshoring heats up and manufacturers shift their supply chains closer to home, talent competition - and the need for innovation - will be stronger than ever. Is Northeast Ohio ready?\r\n\r\nPanelists\r\nPete Accorti\r\nPresident, Talan Products\r\n\r\nGeoff Lipnevicius\r\nSenior Manager, Workforce Development, The Lincoln Electric Company\r\n\r\nDalithia C. Smith, SPHR, SHRM-SCP\r\nSVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Oatey Co\r\n\r\nStaci Wampler\r\nChief Business Solutions Officer, Towards Employment\r\n\r\nModerator\r\nGlenn Forbes\r\nHost/Producer, Ideastream Public Media

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 nation where all women and girls can thrive.\r\n\r\nToday, she leads the YWCA USA--a national organization with 194 local associations across the United States, including the YWCA of Greater Cleveland. It is one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the nation, serving over 1 million women, girls, and their families, and has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for over 160 years. The YWCA also has an international arm, World YWCA, a global movement working for women's empowerment, leadership, and rights in more than 120 countries.\r\n\r\nAs we move into MLK Day weekend and look to Inauguration Day, join us as Margaret Mitchell returns to Cleveland and the City Club stage to underline the progress made and work ahead to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

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 improve the lives of Latino youth and their families through education. Northeast Ohio also has one of the fastest growing Hispanic and Latino populations, and with that, increased needs for services and opportunities.\r\n\r\nRuiz came to Cleveland 42 years ago from Puerto Rico, and during his tenure at Esperanza, he helped transform the lives of thousands of Northeast Ohio families. Ruiz is also a champion of Latino and Hispanic representation and held numerous leadership roles in the community. He served as chairman of the board of trustees for Cuyahoga Community College; sits on the editorial board of The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com; and was a member of Cuyahoga County Executive-elect Chris Ronayne's transition team.

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 Cleveland Browns to the western suburbs has raised questions about the move\'s impact on the City\'s much-anticipated Lakefront Master Plan, local businesses, tourism, and more. What opportunities have opened up, and what are the challenges that lie ahead as we envision a lakefront for all?

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 the progress made and work yet to be done--particularly concerning BIPOC entrepreneurship and leadership?\r\n\r\nConnie Hill-Johnson has been the Owner and Managing Director of Visiting Angels Senior Home Care for more than 20 years; and since 2022, Connie has served as the Chair of the Board of The Cleveland Foundation--the first Black woman elected to the position. She also served as co-chair of the successful city-wide Cleveland Reads campaign with the Cleveland Public Library.\r\n\r\nKevin Johnson is Managing Partner at NexGen Interactive, LLC, a technology consultancy. He has held countless roles over the years in areas of engineering, IT, and management here in Northeast Ohio and across the globe.\r\n\r\nTogether, Connie and Kevin were instrumental in producing The Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland (TSOPCLE) in 2019 and also launched the Cleveland Black Equity and Humanity Fund.