Stories of Inspired Leadership Creating Citywide Impact
Graduates of the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program strive to grow and create successful community programs, often collaborating with each other and existing organizations to enhance the opportunities for success. With NLDP program graduates active in over 90% of Cleveland’s neighborhoods, the stories of their successes are as diverse as they are plentiful.
Waverly Willis, Cohort XII
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Graduates in the News
Photo by NLDP
How NLDP is Helping Community Leaders Harness Their Superpowers for Powerful Change in CLE
Freshwater Cleveland | June 2019
You likely know the unelected, unsung leaders in your community. They’re the ones volunteering at local events, spreading the word in online neighborhood groups, leading grassroots initiatives, and giving voice to residents who might not otherwise have one...
Kaela Gesche, Cohort VI
East Cleveland’s Caledonia Elementary Unveils Ohio’s First Community Schoolyard Design
The Land | december 2023
According to the Trust for Public Land, over 28 million kids in America don’t have a park within a 10-minute walk of home...
Featured NLDP Grad: Kaela Geschke
Chinetha Hall & Ariana Johnson, Cohort XI
Providing Resources to Families this Holiday Season
wkyc | december 2023
Leon sits down with Chinetha Hall, CEO & President of Hasani Management, and Ariana Johnson, Ms. Black Ohio USA 2024...
Featured NLDP Grads: Chinetha Hall & Ariana Johnson
Photo by fox 8
Cleveland's Own: Southeast Cleveland Resource Center
fox 8 | december 2023
Fox 8 News and Kaulig Giving would like to salute the Southeast Cleveland Resource Center as one of Cleveland's Own.
Featured NLDP Grad: Odetta Fields
Photo by chrishawndra matthews
Cleveland Mom Continues Mission to Improve Literacy Rates Across Northeast Ohio Through Growing Non-profit
news 5 cleveland | september 2023
With a van and a plan, she's given away over 600,000 books...
Featured NLDP Grad: Chrishawndra Matthews
Tracy Patton, Cohort XV
Central Family Healing the Community Together
signal cleveland | september 2023
Tracy and Walter Patton are a mother and son duo from Central who share a common vision: healing...
Featured NLDP Grad: Tracy Patton
Photo by jeff haynes
Slavic Village Org Gets $30,000 for Pet Care for Homebound Seniors
signal cleveland | september 2023
Neighborhood Pets got a financial boost. Cuyahoga County Council approved a grant of up to $30,000 of federal stimulus money to the nonprofit, which offers free and low-cost supplies to pet owners...
Featured NLDP Grad: Becca Britton
Sharon Core, Cohort XI
Meet the Community Journalist: Sharon Core
The Land | JuNE 2023
In honor of The Land’s third anniversary, we’re catching up with a few of our 50 community journalists. The Land’s Lee Chilcote talked with Sharon Core, a Slavic Village resident who has published multiple stories for The Land since completing our program...
Featured NLDP Grad: Sharon Core
Odetta Fields, Cohort XIV
Slavic Village Residents Spearhead Community Resource Center on Fleet Avenue
The Land | January 2023
A crowd of about 40 people gathered in an empty storefront on Fleet Avenue in Slavic Village on a recent January afternoon to talk about the growing problem of drugs in the neighborhood. After sharing a lunch of pizza, salad, and soda, the group of social workers, health care professionals, residents, police, and city officials shared what they knew....
Featured NLDP Grad: Odetta Fields
from the past
News Archive
Purchase of Farm-to-Jar Food Company Aims to Boost East Cleveland Economy, Black Entrepreneurship
The Land | July 2022
Featured NLDP Grad: Veronica Walton
Beat the Streets Cleveland Chapter Uses the Art of Wrestling as a Tool to Help Teach Kids Life Lessons
News 5 Cleveland | May 2022
Featured NLDP Grad: Demetrius Williams
Slavic Village Gardens and Green Spaces Bring Beauty While Solving Vacant Lot Problem
The Land | May 2022
Featured NLDP Grad: Sharon Core
Daily Inspiration: Meet Chinetha Hall
VoyageOhio | April 2022
Featured NLDP Grad: Chinetha Hall
Neighborhood Pets expands to help more people – and their furry friends
The Land | December 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Becca Britton
Community Highlights: Meet Laylah Allen
VoyageOhio | December 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Laylah Allen
Rising Stars: Meet Chrishawndra Matthews
VoyageOhio | November 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Chrishawndra Matthews
Gun violence prevention groups unite with solutions, demands for local officials
The Land | November 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Mary Williams
Kelly Clarkson gives "Bookmobile" to a local woman
WKYC | October 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Chrishawndra Matthews
Meet the woman behind the 'Free Store' on East 65th Street
News5 Cleveland | October 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Barbara Anderson
Unidos por el Arte shines light on local Latinx artists
Freshwater Cleveland | October 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Letitia Lopez
In her own words: A journey toward racial reconciliation and eliminating systemic racism
Freshwater Cleveland | October 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Toni White
Cleveland Dinners brings people together for honest conversations about race
The Land | September 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Ricardo Reinoso
Clevelanders celebrate Juneteenth at the African American Cultural gardens with caravan
Cleveland 19 | June 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Carl Ewing
Neighborhood Pets set to double in size after COVID-19 unleashes need for affordable pet care
Freshwater Cleveland | June 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Becca Britton
Julia de Burgos Celebrates New Digs in Brooklyn Centre Neighborhood
The Land | May 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Letitia Lopez
Parts Shop Promoting Community, Creativity Through Upcycled Art Supplies
Spectrum News 1 | April 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: David Van Horn
Recess Cleveland Reimagines The Way Kids Play
Cleveland Magazine | April 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Alex Robertson
Cleveland Pet Guide: Neighborhood Pets Provides Free And Low-Cost Services To Pet Owners
Cleveland Magazine | March 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Becca Britton
Four community organizations show ‘love on all fronts’ by supplying care packages for 150 youth
Cleveland.com | February 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Laylah Allen
Queen in Quarantine Building Confidence in Young Girls
Spectrum News 1 | February 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Dameyonna Willis
Local Activist Literally Knocked Down Walls to Create a Safe Space
The Cleveland Observer | 2021
Featured NLDP Grad: Anita Gardner
Newly minted Black Diamond Foundation aims to support the Black community, kicks off with PJs drive
Freshwater Cleveland | December 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Ariana Johnson
Yvonka Hall brings food, necessities to Cleveland families during coronavirus pandemic: Homegrown Heroes 2020
Cleveland.com | September 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Yvonka Hall
Sign of the times: New Collinwood mural reflects modern-day community hope
Freshwater Cleveland | August 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Chanell Boyd
Appetite for change: Cleveland Dinners strives to give everyone a seat at the table
Freshwater Cleveland | August 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Ricardo Reinoso
Mom hands out thousands of free books to kids to help prevent 'corona summer slide'
Good Morning America | June 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Chrishawndra Matthews
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture celebrates black-led arts organizations
Freshwater Cleveland | June 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Kenneth Perdue
Dads making a difference: Cleveland man uses love of fatherhood to mentor at-risk children
WKYC | June 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Jerome Baker
At a newly-madeover Miss Latina Image, a cultural celebration of womanhood takes the runway
Freshwater Cleveland | May 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Letitia Lopez
Babies and Brunch delivers meals amidst coronavirus in Cleveland
Freshwater Cleveland | March 2020
Featured NLDP Grad: Yvonka Hall