There goes the neighborhood
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| Joel Ratner, President and CEO Neighborhood Progress Inc. |
A key but little understood player in Cleveland’s
neighborhood development ecosphere is Neighborhood Progress Inc. Founded in
1988, its declared mission is “to foster communities of choice and opportunity
throughout Cleveland.” Its status as a funding intermediary for CDCs gives it
an outsized importance in determining the look, feel, and shape of community revitalization in our core
city.
This coming Wednesday, NPI president and chief
executive officer Joel Ratner will speak at the City Club. The centerpiece of his talk is
very likely to be a public rollout of his organization’s new vision of
community development, as set forth in its recently
completed strategic plan.
Tickets for the noon luncheon program are $25 [$15 for
members.] For reservations, call the City Club at 621.0082 or 888.223.6786. For
more information, visit here.
Stevie Wonder in Cleveland next week? Not exactly
The man genius himself won’t be here, but his music will
be featured prominently in a jazz concert at one of the city’s hottest venues
when The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra plays next Thursday at the Museum of
Contemporary Art in University Circle. We don’t have all the details but if you
want tickets [$26], go here.
Black Angels
We wrote here last
week about the acclaimed off-Broadway production Black Angels Over Tuskegee
coming to University School next week to support efforts to turn the mothballed
Aviation High School into the chartered Benjamin O. Davis Aerospace and
Maritime Academy.
Now comes word that there is a 10AM matinee performance as
well. The early show is for lucky students only. Councilman Jeff Johnson,
Forest City Enterprises and Lubrizol Corporation are sponsoring 400 Cleveland
school students: 100 each from Glenville and East Tech high schools, and 100
each from E-Prep and Intergenerational schools, part of the Breakthrough group
of charter schools. One hundred or so students from University School will
comprise the remainder of the matinee audience.
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| Yellow Butterfly Winery |
Spokesman Dave Centa said
that ticket sales for the evening performance are moving well, and he harbors
hope for a sellout. The impressive list of sponsors includes for Cleveland
mayor Mike White’s Yellow Butterfly Winery, which is providing the wine for the
benefit reception.
Harry Boomer of WOIO/WUAB-19/43 television will emcee the
benefit program that includes a silent auction and other attractions. Rev. R.
A. Vernon of The Word Church in Warrensville Heights will also deliver some
remarks.
To purchase tickets or to get
further information about Davis Aerospace Academy, visit www.clevelandaerospaceacademy.org
or call 216.579-9487.
Women of Color Foundation
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| Carmen Ortiz-McGhee ACIS executive vice president |
The Women of Color Foundation has snagged the corporate
headquarters of American Greetings for its 2nd Annual Speaking of
Women program on March 14.
This year’s speaker for the
dialogue series for women in leadership is Carmen Ortiz-McGhee, executive vice
president of sales for Aon
Cornerstone Innovative Solutions. ACIS is a division of Aon PLC, a global
provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage as well as a
provider of staffing solutions and outsourcing.
McGhee’s topic for the
Women’s History Month program is “Managing Your Career Journey: Making the
Right Choices at the Right Time.” The event is free but registration is
required, which you may do by calling 216.391.4300 x 307.
Cleveland Radio this Weekend
“It’s About Justice” is a weekly local radio show hosted
by Meryl Johnson, an educator, union official and community activist. Appearing
on tomorrow’s show to discuss the consequences on public education in Ohio
should Gov. Kasich’s budget pass will be Piet van Lier of PolicyMatters Ohio.
He is likely to have some insights on the state takeover of Cleveland schools
announced earlier this week.
Other segments on the show will have Wynne Antonio
speaking on the women’s movement [can you lean
in on the radio?] and peace activist Nina McClellan will discuss the
military budget and military waste [can we speak of one and not the other?]
“It’s About Justice” airs on WRUW-FM/91.1 Saturday
afternoons from 1:30-2:30PM. Hear it online at wruw.org/guide/.
Similar topics will be the focus of this week’s Zack Reed
Radio Show, airing Sunday nights from 8-10PM on WTAM/1100 AM. Reed, Ward 2
Cleveland councilman, will discuss the budget crisis in Washington DC and the
state takeover of Cleveland schools. The call in portion is likely to be
lively.
Cleveland Foundation Scholarships applications for
adults, teens due April 5
The application period has begun for the many
opportunities for scholarship support through the Cleveland Foundation. Deadline
for many of the most broadly available scholarships is April 5, 2013.
Scholarships are available for adults returning
to school as well as for graduating high school seniors. Applicants have
multiple opportunities to be selected. Visit www.clevelandfoundation.org\scholarships
to learn more.
“Our scholarships are made possible by donors
who believe in education, and who want to help worthy individuals who aspire to
advance academically,” said Marvelous Baker, the Foundation’s Scholarship
officer, in an email announcing this year’s program.
