The amazing team of the Center for Community Solutions has brilliantly provided advocacy, as well as written and oral testimony on numerous occasions on the matter of Maternal and Infant Health. What could I possibly write that would add any more value? Part of my role is to share how the work we do at...
Author: Zulma Zabala (Zulma Zabala)
Eight Cleveland Community Champions to know in Black History Month
Placing an in-depth focus on community is one of my favorite tasks. Meeting people and learning about their efforts to make our collective lives better honestly feeds hope. In recognition of Black History Month, I invite you to meet some amazing Community Champions. There were no algorithms, in-depth searches, or analyses for this list. Our...
A Journey for Racial Equity to reach OUR North Star!
In 2020, this country had to face itself in the image of a man of authority with his knee on a man’s neck who begged for release in order to breathe and live. The ultimate death of George Floyd became the visual that disrupted the notion that this country was past its racial disparities. Some of...
Two more champions creating possibilities for youth in Buckeye –Woodhill
Last week I introduced some startling stats for youth and children in the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood and two champions caring and serving the neighborhood. Today I introduce two more champions for youth. My Brother My Sister Global/MBMS My Brother My Sister Global is approaching its 15-year anniversary. Originally founded in Akron-Copley MBMS, it has a mission...
A village of diverse opportunities for youth in Buckeye-Woodhill
The Buckeye Woodhill neighborhood has one of the largest concentrations of children under the age of 18 in Cleveland, according to my partners here at Community Solutions. Over 1 in 4 residents are children about 2 in 3 of those children are living in poverty. The rate of births to teen mothers is about three times...
Why we all deserve a Trauma Informed workplace: insights from a leader and a mother
Jayland Walker turned around and faced police officers with no gun … He was a lanky young man… only 25 years old… 60 shots in his body… they shot 90 times…. These were the facts, like an earworm in my mind, interrupting a fairly straightforward task: writing and organizing a presentation for my colleagues. As...
Yes, people DO want to work: workforce development in Buckeye-Woodhill
Ohio’s unemployment rate is at 3.9%, higher than the national average of 3.5%. Not too bad…right? In July, Ohio added approximately 6,900 jobs to the private sector, which sounds like a decent number. Preparing the second of this series, I wondered how those numbers play out for my friends, neighbors and partners of the Buckeye-Woodhill...
Housing Burden vs. Home Bliss: a chance for stability in Buckeye-Woodhill
Phenomenal ideas have come from our continued community “Charlas” with my neighbors and friends of the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood. I am excited to be in partnership with you to figure out how we are going to make sure information about policies that affect living will get into your hands. For starters, did you know about the...
There is no Other anymore: our community engagement and racial equity work
Ninety days ago, I left my role as President-CEO of the historical and effective East End Neighborhood House. After two decades working in the Buckeye neighborhood, the assignment became clear, I wanted to elevate the voice, value, and engagement of our community to be part of policy and advocacy efforts. The opportunity to serve as...