Celebration of Human Services

Home / Resources / Celebration of Human Services

Celebration of Human Services is Friday, October 20, 2023!

Community Solutions marks our 110th year in 2023! Celebration is a great way to connect with community leaders and other professionals while enjoying inspiring and uplifting presentations. The luncheon will feature our W.T. McCullough keynote speaker and the winners of our three annual awards. Anisfield-Wolf Memorial Award, Most Treasured Volunteer Awards, and The Community Solutions Award for Public Service in Honor of John A. Begala.

 

Connie Schultz to deliver this year’s W.T. McCullough lecture!

We’re excited to announce that this year’s keynote speaker, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and Penguin Random House author Connie Schultz, will deliver the W.T. McCullough lecture on Friday, October 20th Celebration of Human Services event at the InterContinental Cleveland.

About the Speaker

Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and Penguin Random House author, with well-received non-fiction works …and His Lovely Wife, and Life Happens. Her recent novel The Daughters of Erietown became a New York Times bestseller and her children’s book, Lola and the Troll, is forthcoming. In August 2023, she joins Denison University as a Professor of Practice in Journalism.

Before joining Denison University, Connie served as a professional-in-residence in the journalism school at Kent State University, her alma mater, as well as a columnist for USA Today.

She lives in Cleveland with her husband, Sherrod Brown, and their rescue dogs Franklin and Walter. They have four children and seven grandchildren.

Wayne Dawson is our Master of Ceremonies!

We’re excited to announce that this Master of Ceremonies, Fox 8 News morning anchor Wayne Dawson, will emcee on Friday, October 20th Celebration of Human Services event at the InterContinental Cleveland.

About the Master of Ceremonies

Wayne is co-anchor of Fox 8 News in the Morning, Cleveland’s Number 1 morning show and author of the 2022 memoir, The Seeds of Greatness Are Within You.

An eleven-time Emmy winner, Wayne is a member of the NAACP, the National Association of Black Journalists and the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He is also a member of the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Prior to joining WJW in the late –‘70s, Wayne was an anchor/reporter at WNIR Radio in Kent, Ohio. The 1979 graduate of Kent State University holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism.

Over many decades in Northeast Ohio broadcasting, he’s been recognized by the Cleveland Press Club, Kent State University, the Jaycees, the Professional Women’s Business Association, and Delta Sigma Theta.

Become a Sponsor

Do you plan on attending Celebration and want to secure seats for your staff? Or maybe you want to support the event, but donate the seats for students or a smaller organization. We have a sponsorship level for you, and welcome your support! Use the button below to sign up to be a Celebration sponsor.

How does Celebration sponsorship work?

Depending on our sponsor level, your organization’s name will be displayed at the event, on the online event page, or event social media promotion, and in 5 Things You Need to Know, a weekly e-newsletter with 5,000+ subscribers. Parking is included with your tickets. 

This annual program, chaired by Community Solutions Board Vice Chair Genesis Brown, will include a luncheon program featuring the presentation of the annual Community Solutions Award for Public Service, the Anisfield-Wolf Memorial Award that comes with a $25,000 prize for a nonprofit organization, and the Most Treasured Volunteer Awards that honor the outstanding dedication of community volunteers.  

Help us support the extraordinary leaders, staff, volunteers, and organizations who have helped our community. For 110 years, Community Solutions has provided needed and appreciated nonpartisan research, analysis, and recommendations regarding public policy. Participants attend our programs to learn, be inspired, unite around common issues, and renew their networks to better serve people in their communities.

Buy Celebration Tickets

Do you plan on attending Celebration, but don’t need a whole table? Join us! Use the button below to purchase tickets for Celebration 2023.

Performance by the Cleveland Heights High School Gospel Choir!

The Vocal Music Program at Cleveland Heights High School is a celebrated jewel in a district that honors the arts. Vocal Music Students sing in local and regional competitions, for Civic and holiday events, on television, and of course in concerts at the high school.

The Gospel Choir is an extracurricular club open to all students who enjoy singing gospel music. Students perform at three evening performances, in the community, and travel for an annual tour. The Gospel Choir Parent’s Organization supports the choir; directed by Sandra Dixon.

Meet our 2022 Most Treasured Volunteer Award Winners

Check out the 2022 gallery!