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 Austin Harris or call (216) 386-1588.
Are you interested in learning more about being part of the next Champions class or know someone who would make a great candidate for Cleveland Champions? Complete the referral form to indicate your interest or to refer someone.
- Fall 2026 Champions
- Jazmyn Barrow (LC 2023), J Barrow Legal LLC
- Philip Bautista, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
- Terry Billups (LC 2024), Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Orlando Grant (LC 2017), Site Readiness for Good Jobs Initiative
- Marco Grgurevic-Pujana (LC 2026), Greater Cleveland Partnership
- Domonic Hopkins (LC 2024), Neighborhood Family Practice
- Stanley Jackson (LC 2026), The Cochran Firm
- Dr. Shenise Johnson-Thomas (LC2 2023, LC 2022, CLI 2012), Cleveland Public Library
- Christopher King III (LC 2025), ODS Transportation
- Dr. Todd Kitchen (LC 2026, CLI 2022), Cuyahoga Community College
- Ricardo Leon, Cuyahoga Land Bank
- Nancy Mendez (LC 2020, CLI 2017), Starting Point
- Marcia Moreno (Catalysts 2026, LC 2024), AmMore Consulting
- Habeebah Rasheed Grimes (LC 2020), Habeebah Rasheed Grimes LLC
- Charmaine Rice (CBB 2020), AmTrust Financial Services
- Jason Russell (LC 2026), North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation
- Meredith Turner (LC 2025), Cuyahoga County
- Leon Wilson (LC 2023, CLI 2016), The Cleveland Foundation
- Fall 2026 Rising Leaders
- Theresa Allen (CBB 2026), Dix & Eaton
- Michael Copeland (CBB 2025), Copeland Consults LLC
- Elvis Cudjoe, Avient Corporation
- Michael Elliott Jr. (Champion 2025, CBB 2024), Cleveland Neighborhood Progress
- Joseph Greathouse II, YMCA of Greater Cleveland
- Harry Hawkins (CLI 2026)
- Ashley King (CLI 2023, CBB 2020), Enterprise Community Partners
- Paris Lampkins (Catalysts 2026), Lampkins & Co.
- Johanes Maliza (CBB 2023), Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP
- Katrese Minor, Cleveland Department of Public Health
- Leonela Mora (CBB 2025), Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Wycliffe Odhiambo (CBB 2026, CC 2012), NRP Group
- Jareed Robinson (CBB 2026, CLI 2024), BDO USA
- Audrianna Rodriguez, The Center for Community Solutions
- Jesús Sánchez (CBB 2024), Restore America’s Estuaries
- Jerome Sheriff, The City Club of Cleveland
- Nakeisha Wells (CBB 2026), Diaper Bank of Greater Cleveland
- Joy Whitlow, Hawken Lower School