We’ve noticed and applaud the heightened sense pervading the civic
space since November. Larger numbers of folk are finding ways to become engaged
in their community’s public affairs. In support of this trend here are a few
events occurring in Greater Cleveland this week.
Tonight, starting at 5:30 PM, Black Hack Cleveland offers what
promises to be a unique look at the alcohol industry. We found the following description online about
tonight’s program, billed as a “Discussion with Disruptors
of the Alcohol & Beverage Industry”:
Millennials have an aversion to the conventional and a craving for the upscale alternative. … With that come new tech trends that have been disruptive, while also providing an opportunity for startups, entrepreneurs, and disruptors.
The event
takes place in midtown at JumpStart, 6701 Carnegie Ave. There is
complimentary admission if you RSVP.
Otherwise, it’s ten bucks.
Speaking of hackers, this
is National Digital Inclusion Week, a national initiative that seeks to promote
online access and technology skill building to reduce digital disparities in
communities.
Hack Cleveland is presenting
free a round table discussion this Thursday,
May 11 from 9:00-10:30AM that will highlight digital inequities and local
and nationwide efforts to close those gaps.
Panelists include Bill
Callahan, Connect Your Community; Wanda Davis, Ashbury Senior Community
Computer Center (ASC3); Leon Wilson, The Cleveland Foundation; and Shaka Clark,
MoveOn.org. Maura Garven, Hack Cleveland will serve as moderator.
The discussion will take
place PNC Fairfax Connection 8220 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland 44103. Admission is
free. Continental breakfast will be available beginning 8:30AM. Register here.
• • •
 |
| Dr. Rhonda Y. Williams |
When it comes to civic
engagement, few Cleveland citizens, especially academics, can match the two-decades
record of Case Western Reserve University history professor Rhonda Y. Williams.
“Dr. Rhonda”, as she is known, is leaving Case to join the faculty of
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. A farewell reception is being held this
Thursday from 5-7PM at CWRU’s Dively
Center.
Professor Williams has
served as co-chair of the Cleveland
Community Police Commission since its establishment pursuant to the consent
decree the city entered into with the US Department of Justice following
USDOJ’s findings about the abuse of deadly force by the Cleveland Police.
She leaves behind the CWRU Institute of Social
Justice she founded in 2010 and has led since then.
To RSVP for the reception,
email lbk24@case.edu or call 216.368.7568
by 5PM tomorrow.
• • •
Nothing says civic engagement like politics these days, and young
Democrats are among the most energized. The Cuyahoga County Young Dems are under new leadership these
days, and celebrating their official launch this Thursday from 5:30-7:30PM at Market
Garden Brewery, 1947 West 25 St., across from the West Side Market. Their focus
is on young adults 15-35 but there are sure to be adults of all ages there.
Admission is free and no RSVP required.
It is good to see this group revive. They, along with the Cuyahoga
Democratic Women’s Caucus, are among the most inclusive civic groups in Greater
Cleveland.
• • •
United Pastors in Mission will be busy this week.
We’re not certain if they will be discussing President Trump’s cynical
modification of the so-called Johnson
Amendment that codifies the constitutionally mandated separation of church
and state — as usual Trump
promised a bill but delivered an executive order — but Cleveland Mayor
Frank Jackson will appear at the group’s regular 10AM Tuesday meeting tomorrow. The Q deal and his election campaign
will likely find their way into the discussion.
Then on Friday, May 12 at
3PM, US Senator Sherrod Brown will meet with the group. Both meetings are
open to the public and will take place at Mt. Zion Oakwood, One Mt. Zion Circle
in Oakwood Village 44146.
• • •
Other items of note:
• A free public panel discussion is on tap
tomorrow at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights main branch, 2345 Lee
Road. Terry Schwarz, director of Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design
Collaborative, will talk about why eastside development lags so far behind the west
side. The program runs from 7-8:30PM.
• Ilinda Reese and Yvonne Pointer will lead a discussion
on combatting victimization this Saturday,
May 13 from 11AM-1PM at the East
Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Ave. Call 216.541.4028 for more
information.
 |
| Khalid Samad |
 |
| Randell McShepard |
-->
For tickets or other information, call 216.341.0757 or visit www.unionmiles.org.
