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.

In the dynamic landscape of urban development, the intersectionality of economic inequality and climate change emerges as a critical focal point for envisioning sustainable urban futures. As we convene for this City Club Youth Forum, we embark on a journey to explore innovative strategies that acknowledge the imperatives of economic justice with the urgent need for climate resilience in our rapidly evolving urban environments.\r\n\r\nCities, the epicenters of human civilization, stand at the nexus of profound challenges-economic disparities and climate change-that demand immediate attention and concerted action. Cleveland is just one example of many. Our collective responsibility is to steer urban development toward inclusive prosperity while mitigating the environmental toll of rapid urbanization. The stakes are high, and our discussions will shape the blueprint for the cities of tomorrow.\r\n\r\nAt the heart of our deliberations is the poignant question: How can urban development be harnessed as a catalyst for economic empowerment and environmental stewardship? The answer lies in reimagining urban spaces as incubators of innovation, where equitable economic opportunities flourish hand-in-hand with sustainable practices. This forum serves as a crucible for the exchange of ideas, where diverse perspectives converge to forge a path forward that transcends traditional dichotomies.\r\n\r\nOur discussion will revolve around the implications of urban development in the future. Our distinguished panelists, experts in their respective fields, will illuminate the discourse with insights drawn from real-world experiences, offering tangible ideas that can be adapted and scaled to address the unique needs of diverse urban landscapes.

Over the last few years, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has emerged as one of the most important members of the U.S. Senate. In a closely divided Senate, the self-described "centrist, moderate, conservative Democrat" has often found himself casting a crucial swing vote on high profile legislative priorities.\r\n\r\nWorking with Americans Together, a new organization creating a platform for moderate voices around the country, Manchin recently began a nationwide listening tour to meet with voters around the country to hear their concerns and discuss the importance of middle ground as a place where work can actually get done. His appearance at the City Club is part of that tour.\r\n\r\nManchin has represented West Virginia in the U.S. Senate since 2010, when he was elected to the seat previously held by Robert Byrd. He served statewide as Governor and Secretary of State, and got his start in electoral politics in 1982 when he was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Ohioans love their libraries. A recent study found Ohio ranks first nationally in library visits per capita -- and that the state has the highest public library usage rate in the U.S. as measured by the percentage of residents who have a library card. Historically, Ohio trails only New York in the number of Five-Star libraries, a yearly distinction awarded by the Library Journal, the oldest and most respected publication covering library service. Our very own Cleveland Public Library (CPL) has received four or five stars every year since 2009.\r\n\r\nAs one of our nation's oldest democratic public spaces, libraries have become deeply integrated into our communities. For generations, they have gone beyond books and stepped in to meet a wide variety of social and civic needs-building decades of trust and leaving an indelible mark on so many of us. Yet, this growth has also deepened the debate about what the modern-day library can, or even should offer as part of its services.\r\n\r\nAs CPL celebrates its 155th anniversary, join the City Club to hear how library directors in Ohio, and across the country, have balanced the evolution of modern libraries with meeting the growing needs of the communities they serve today.

The MetroHealth System aims to redefine healthcare and go beyond medical treatment. Also home to a renowned Level I Adult Trauma Center, it has more than 600 doctors, 1,700 nurses, and nearly 9,000 employees--making it an economic hub in our communities. In November 2022, MetroHealth opened the new Glick Center--an 11-floor hospital on the main campus as part of a wider neighborhood revitalization effort.\r\n\r\nDr. Airica Steed joined MetroHealth in December 2022 and is the first woman, first Black person, and first nurse to serve as its chief executive in the health system's almost 200-year history. Throughout her trailblazing career, Dr. Steed has made it her mission to ensure every person has equal access to good health care. In her new role, she aims to position MetroHealth as a national model in health equity, as an innovator in care delivery, and as the community\'s hospital.

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has offered promising uses across many sectors--including workforce development. The modern job hunt is being revolutionized, and the way future employers understand, evaluate, and match workers with their ideal careers is changing.\r\n\r\nData using personality and culture tests has been around for some time. Now, workforce development apps have churned out complicated algorithms to ensure strong matches. However, these recommended matches may fail to account for external and internal bias, require significant risk-taking, and/or a willingness for big change. Some employees cannot afford those risks in the short term, even if the long term brings the promise of a better outcome.