THE WAY FORWARD LEADER LUNCH BREAK ARCHIVE

Myesha provided an overview of the Peacemaker’s Alliance’s efforts to prevent violence and how social determinants of health, such as childhood poverty and lack of resources, contribute to gun violence. Watkins emphasized the need for resources and support to address the epidemic of violence, while acknowledging the limitations of individual organizations in solving population-level problems.

She called for collective responsibility in leading efforts to reduce gun violence, both locally in Cleveland and across the country, and highlighted the success stories of young people who have benefited from the mentorship and outreach work of the Cleveland Peacemakers team. Myesha also provided a detailed breakdown of the financial implications of gun violence, citing specific costs for fatal and non-fatal shootings. She urged a shift in approach, proposing that investing in community programs could be a more effective and proactive solution to addressing the high costs of violence.

Myesha also discussed the organization’s efforts to support young people involved in gun violence, emphasizing community education, court support, and partnerships to address the root causes of violence. She shared her personal journey of overcoming challenges in Cleveland, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities, building relationships, and shifting mindsets to create change. She envisions a broad ecosystem where organizations come together to share ideas and training opportunities, supporting families across Cuyahoga County who have been victimized or are struggling due to lack of investment in their communities. She emphasized the potential for collective action to bring about a sense of safety and restore the city of Cleveland.

Lillian Kuri discussed the Foundation’s journey and future plans, including their move to Midtown and their evolving role in the community. Kuri emphasized the foundation’s commitment to community partnerships and accessibility, as well as their focus on economic mobility and eliminating the racial wealth gap. She also discussed the foundation’s strategic shift towards transforming community philanthropy, including the importance of donor advised funds and supporting foundations, social impact investing, and collaborative strategies that align donor interests with community needs. Finally, Kuri addressed the importance of measuring impact and the need for collaboration among nonprofits to achieve greater impact, highlighting the Foundation’s goal to endow the Black Futures Fund and grow it to a significant level.

Joshua discussed the organization’s journey from a nonprofit to a social enterprise and their commitment to bridging Cleveland’s digital divide by providing affordable and reliable home internet. He outlined the company’s plans to deploy a state-of-the-art network in less than 18 months, offering internet access for $18 a month and accelerating the deployment timeline. Joshua also discussed community engagement strategies and potential expansion of their service to surrounding suburbs. He highlighted the significant funding of $50 million received from the city, state, and foundations to bridge the digital divide in Cleveland, with a focus on signing up 23,500 households within 18 months and the ongoing need for fundraising to support subsidies and tech support.

Steven provided a detailed analysis of Cleveland’s urban development, emphasizing the significance of public spaces and the city’s investment in transforming its physical communities. He discussed major public space projects, such as the stabilization of Irish Town Bend and the development of urban parks, highlighting the city’s efforts to create attractive and functional environments for residents. He also talked about the impact of waterfront development on the new stadium project proposal, the need for cities to prioritize pedestrian-friendly environments over car-centric infrastructure, and the significance of addressing racial segregation and the legacy of redlining and racism as a transformative opportunity for urban development in Cleveland.

Nic discussed the growth of the Cavs, Monsters, and Cleveland Charge over the past few years, and touched on the move of the practice facility to the riverfront and the forthcoming development of the adjacent riverfront land. He also discussed the organization’s community engagement priorities and their community collaborations with the Guardians and the Browns, as well as the growth and importance of esports.

Tiffany shared the Food Bank’s three-phase expansion plan, their FY23 impact, and the need for and vision of the new Community Resource Center. She touched on who is eligible for helpf from the Food Bank and the challenges that lead to food insecurity and the need for their services. She covered what the Community Resource Center is, the services they offer, the early impact of the Center, and how they will evaluate their work going forward.