By Margaret Adams
On Nov. 7th, Clevelanders will be voting on judges to fill six terms-of-office starting on Jan. 1, 2024. The judges will be elected to serve on the court for six years. In the past, there hasn’t been much attention paid to the candidates running for judge, however, since the Trump administration, the public has become more aware of the important role judges play in our lives—how a judge handles the cases before them, and the rulings they hand out impact all of us.
On Tuesday, Oct. 17th at 5:30 p.m., The Cleveland Observer (TCO), in partnership with Community Culture of Informed Voters (CCOIV), will host a moderated forum for the citizens of Cleveland to hear from the candidates for a judge position on the Cleveland Municipal Court. The Forum will be held in the Cleveland Connections/Neighbor Up Room in the Cleveland Foundation building located at 1971 East 66th St.
According to the Ohio Supreme Court judges salary chart, judges make an annual salary of over $100,000. To qualify to run for the office of a municipal judge, candidates must be less than 70 years old, licensed by the State of Ohio, and have practiced law for at least six years. Cleveland Municipal judges are nominated by petition. A candidate can have their name placed on the ballot if they turn in a petition with only 50 verified signatures from city voters. The Cleveland Municipal Court has jurisdiction over the City of Cleveland and the Village of Bratenahl.
The primary function of municipal judges is to handle misdemeanors, including traffic offenses, drug-related offenses (such as DUI), domestic violence, assault, theft of property (such as shoplifting), and landlord and tenant disputes. The judges conduct preliminary hearings and set bonds in felony cases committed in the city of Cleveland. They handle civil matters in the small claims court for cases under $6,000. The general division of the courts can determine civil cases where the controversy does not exceed $15,000.
According to the Cleveland Municipal Court’s web page, the court wants to “help solve community problems.” Rather than moving people through the system by sending them to jail and having them pay fines, the court is working to create remedies that go to the underlying reason(s) that cause people to appear before them. To do this they have established specialized dockets for drug offenders, domestic violence, and mental health issues. The community needs to hear from the candidates to learn how they will address some of the social issues facing those who appear before them. It is just as important to hear from the candidates about how they will address the disturbing incidents of crime and violence within the youth of our communities.
The forum being presented on Oct. 17th will give people the chance to listen to the judges whose decisions will have an impact on us, our families, and our communities for at least the next six years. Your attendance is strongly encouraged.
Hear from the daughter of the inventor of the California Curl, a.k.a. the Jheri Curl, about the hair braiding technique that birthed what we know as cornrow braids.
We are thrilled to announce Cleveland’s first Afro-Natural Hair Summit, a transformative event that will take place from July 15 to July 17, 2023, in Cleveland, Ohio. The summit promises to be an enlightening and empowering experience for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Afro-Natural Hair. Our goal? To forge a connection between customers, barbers, and beauty professionals to build a supportive network within the Afro-Natural Hair community. The Afro-Natural Hair Summit will feature multidisciplinary, educational workshops created for licensed barbers, cosmetologists, natural hairstylists, students, and medical professionals.
Ladosha Wright, entrepreneur, author, and owner of Reverence Design Team Hair Salon, will host the Afro Hair Summit at various locations around Cleveland with Cheryl Morrow, educator, and daughter of the renowned Dr. Willie L. Morrow, first to mass produce the Afro pick and inventor of the California Curl a.k.a Jheri Curl. West African educational award-winning teacher, Fatou Saine Gaye will travel here from Gambia to teach the Mappa hair braiding technique that birthed the popular cornrow braids. This summit also offers free public forums for anyone in the community to gain practical insights and knowledge on caring for and embracing their natural hair.
“This truth-telling summit centered around Afro-Natural hair is highly anticipated because the truth is Afro-Natural hair science has never been taught,” says Morrow.
To learn more and secure your seat at the Afro-Natural Hair Summit, please visit our website at http://www.afrohairscience.com.
Registration is strongly encouraged as spaces are limited.
Contact Information
Ladosha Wright
(216) 321-1101
Media Contact:
For media inquiries, interviews, or press passes. J. Morris,
Atomicbowtie@gmail.com
(404) 840-0216
Are you a job seeker, veteran, returning citizen, college senior, recent graduate, or looking for opportunities and resources? Don’t miss out on this incredible event! Join us on Friday, Aug. 4, for the Employment and Resource Success Fair of the year, at the Cleveland Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113. There will be over 200 employers and resources, all under one roof! This fair is designed to connect YOU with the tools and resources you need to succeed.
Whether you’re searching for a new job, exploring career options, or seeking guidance on education and training, we have you covered. Explore a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare, finance, construction, and more. Meet representatives from renowned companies who are ready and willing to hire individuals like you. Additionally, discover valuable resources such as resume printing, interview tips, and career counseling services to help you stand out from the competition. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network, gain valuable insights, and pave your path to success!
Admission is FREE and open to the public.
Let’s empower each other to achieve dreams together! See you on Aug. 4!
Register Here: https://ohiomeansjobs1.timetap.com/#/
By MidTown Cleveland
MidTown Cleveland, Inc., in partnership with the Cleveland Foundation, announces MidTown Opening Day, a neighborhood festival and block party to take place on Saturday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The all-day free event, which centers around Euclid Avenue and E. 66th Street with hubs of activity around the neighborhood, will celebrate the grand opening of the Cleveland Foundation Headquarters as a major milestone in the realization of MidTown’s Neighborhood Vision Plan.
MidTown Opening Day will provide an opportunity for the community to experience the recently opened Cleveland Foundation Headquarters, as well as other cultural and community amenities in MidTown and Hough, including MAGNET, University Hospitals, Cleveland Public Library Hough Branch, League Park, Fatima Family Center, Extravagant Care Services, Leo’s Casino Radio, Children’s Museum of Cleveland, Dunham Tavern Museum & Gardens, and the MidTown Tech Hive.
MidTown’s Opening Day program highlights include:
MidTown Opening Day symbolizes the community’s commitment to growth, connectivity, and inclusivity. It is an occasion to celebrate the achievements of the momentum underway in MidTown and to embrace the future of the neighborhood as a thriving hub of innovation, culture, and community engagement. Visit www.midtowncleveland.org/openingday for more information.
By Ron Calhoun

Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Deshawn Watson was at the Fatima Family Center passing out encouragement and ice cream for students and seniors. With the Browns’ training camp coming up soon, Watson took out time to meet and greet the residents of Hough. A humble and courteous man, Watson took the time to say a word of encouragement to each person attending, making them feel special.
A staple of the Hough community, Fatima Family Center, located at 6600 Lexington Ave., offers programs and services for all ages and all members of the community. Originally established in 1973 as a pastoral counseling and outreach ministry of Our Lady of Fatima parish, Fatima Family Center prominently anchors the Hough community with a 26,000-square-foot facility developed by Catholic Charities, dedicated in 2000.
In 2002, Fatima Family Center was recognized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation as one of the top five family centers in the United States. Fatima provides cultural, leadership, and development activities as well as homework assistance, summer camp, field trips, and recreational programs for children and teens.
Current programs include:
Adult services include parenting classes, health screenings, and food pantry distributions, as well as access to a weight room, computer lab, and computer classes. Older adults can benefit from socialization activities designed specifically for them.
Additional programs include:
Thank you Deshawn for coming down the way!
Join Mobile Outreach this summer for some family fun at Urban Line Dancing and West African Drum Circle.
URBAN LINE DANCINGEnjoy free Urban Line Dance instruction in July and August. Get your heart beating during 11 evenings of fun in the fresh air. Each evening will include new moves, great music, and instruction.
Garfield Park Reservation:
Join the excitement as Olu Manns engages the audience in a traditional West African Drum Circle. Every age and experience level is encouraged to participate in this free experience. Don’t miss the fun! Bring instruments if you have them.
Lakefront Reservation
Lower Edgewater parking lot, 7600 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, 44102
Euclid Creek Reservation
Euclid Beach Park, 16301 Lakeshore Blvd., 44110
Garfield Park Reservation
Garfield Park Center parking area, 11350 Broadway Ave., 44125
Dumpster Days in Ward 4 are Finally Here! Let’s do our part to clear out the clutter of our streets and homes!
Another example of why we love this community so much. We have so much involvement and our residents care so much about the success of this community! Shout out to you all Union Miles Development Corporation (UMDC) Family!