Diversifying Cleveland’s Leadership Ecosystem
Cleveland Champions aims to create a leadership ecosystem that increases the visibility and influence of emerging Leaders of Color by connecting them with C-suite executives. Through structured small-group and individual meetings, they foster relationships with leaders across diverse sectors.
How it works
Each cohort consists of 32 individuals: 16 Cleveland Champions and 16 rising leaders. Each Champion is paired with a rising leader, and the pair is placed in a pod with three other pairs.
The cohort meetings take place over four large group sessions where all participants gather to learn about Cleveland’s community landscape, develop diverse networks, and engage in candid discussions. Between sessions, the Champions and rising leaders gather in the community in pairs and in small groups to learn more about each other and expand and strengthen their networks. Champions also invite the rising leaders to community-wide events to further expand their networks.
To learn more about Cleveland Champions, email Claudia Owens or call (216) 650-3312.
- 2025 Champions
- Yolanda Armstrong
- Annette Blackwell
- Jacklyn Chisholm, PhD
- Terri Eason
- Constance Hill-Johnson
- Kevin Johnson
- Renee Ligon
- Jazmin Long
- Pamela Macer
- John Malcolm
- Brandy Mickens
- LaRese Purnell
- Fredy Robles
- Preston Smith
- Robert Solomon
- Taurean Spratt
- Damian Thomas
- 2025 Emerging Leaders
- DaJon Battle
- Daveda Bencs
- Marcella Brown
- LarKesha Burns
- Ronnie Cannon
- LaRaun Clayton
- Denise Coats
- Devontá Dickey
- Sheena Fain
- Monica Grays
- Colin Jackson
- Gregory Joyce II
- Melanie Myers
- Chavone Nash, PhD
- Randy Rhodes
- John Paul Robinson
- Kelly Woodard