Freedom Lecture - Sow Liberation: Black Agriculture
RSVP Here
As part of our ongoing Freedom Lectures, Sow Liberation delves into the legacy, resilience, and radical possibilities of Black agriculture. This gathering brings together farmers, organizers, and land stewards who are reimagining the relationship between Black communities, the land, and environmental health. Through storytelling, conversation, and connection, we’ll explore how food, farming, and freedom are inseparable and why tending the soil is a pathway to liberation. Come ready to listen, learn, and dream of a freer, greener future together.
Bios
Timothy Lewis, is a community farmer, equity advocate, and relationship curator whose work bridges people, purpose, and place.
Timothy serves as the Outreach Director at Rid-All Green Partnership, a 22-acre urban farm located in Cleveland’s Central/Kinsman community. For over a decade, he has dedicated his career to connecting corporations, communities, and classrooms through sustainability, workforce development, and agricultural education.
Guided by his late mentors, Damien Forshe and David “Dr. Greenhand” Hester, co-founders of Rid-All, Timothy continues their legacy of transforming land and lives through agriculture. He is a proud graduate of the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP) Cohort 17 and Case Western Reserve University’s R.E.A.C.H. Program, which focuses on racial equity and community health.
Timothy is also the visionary behind the All Farmers Matter campaign — a movement that connects and consults farmers from both rural and urban communities under the powerful message: “From City Blocks to Mountaintops, All Farmers Matter.”
Samira Malone
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Samira Malone is an urban planner and national leader in equitable green infrastructure and community resilience. She serves as Director of Programming and National Portfolio Lead at the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), where she manages special projects, including a $28 million Urban and Community Forestry grant funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Through this initiative, Samira supports 25 low-canopy, historically underrepresented communities to advance equitable urban forestry, workforce development, and climate resilience. She also oversees grant-funded projects nationwide that strengthen sustainable infrastructure and expand access to green resources in communities that need them most.
Previously, Samira was Executive Director of the Cleveland Tree Coalition, guiding a 52-member alliance through its first strategic plan, new grant programs, and major milestones toward Cleveland’s canopy restoration and environmental justice goals. Her earlier work with MidTown Cleveland, Inc. and Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. focused on inclusive planning, neighborhood revitalization, and community engagement.
Samira holds a Master of Urban Planning and Development and a Bachelor’s in Urban and Regional Planning from Cleveland State University, along with a Graduate Certificate in GIS and executive education from Harvard Business School’s Women of Color Leadership Program.
A committed civic leader, she was the inaugural Chair of the Cleveland Urban Forestry Commission and serves on the boards of the Trust for Public Land Ohio Advisory Board, Rid-All Green Partnership, and the Cleveland Print Room. She also co-leads the Black Environmental Prosperity Group (BEPG), a national collective advancing Black leadership, equity, and career pathways in the environmental sector.
Grounded in her Cleveland roots and guided by a commitment to restorative environmental justice, Samira works to bridge people, policy, and place to build a more sustainable and just future. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, visiting museums, cooking for loved ones, and leading community hikes that promote Black joy and connection with nature.
TSRR Special Edition Book Club
A scary short story for the holiday? We'll take it. After last week's Book Club meeting, the team decided to get into the scary spirit and have a new story that plays on the history of the KKK. Join us in early November to discuss. As always, book club pics are 10% off online and in store.
National STEM Day
A day filled with fun, hands-on learning and career exploration in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)!
Open to Grades 5–8
Registration Strongly Encouraged
For more info, call (216) 664-3173
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to ignite your curiosity, explore cool experiments, and discover the future of innovation!
Cleveland Pearls AFSJ Pay Equity Symposium
CLE Pearls will host its final of four events for its social justice committee. The focus for our final event is pay equity.
Cleveland CROWN Convention 2025
moCa Cleveland hosts the 2nd Annual Cleveland CROWN Convention, a celebration and honoring of the natural hair experience. The Convention affirms Black beauty and uplifts the creativity, heritage, and community power that surround and shape the lived experience of hair. This gathering was created to champion the values of the CROWN Act, while making space for connection, healing, artistry, and advocacy.
Cleveland CROWN Convention centers around fostering a greater sense of connectedness through shared experiences, panel discussions, food, and memorable exchange.
moCa NOW: Strut & Bristle
ANNUAL FALL FUNDRAISER POWERING moCa's 2026 EXHIBITION PROGRAM.
Seductive soundscapes, entrancing aerialists, craft cocktails, and bespoke raffle & auction items at a Midtown converted brush factory.
moCa Moves: Spin with GrooveRyde — Beyoncé Edition
We’re running it back for our next moCa Moves with GrooveRyde and cycle instructor Charles Donaldson Jr. — and this time, we’re turning up the energy with a Beyoncé-themed ride you won’t forget.
Join us for a 50-minute indoor cycling session where you’ll spin to the beat of Queen Bey’s biggest hits. Led by Charles, one of GrooveRyde’s most dynamic instructors, this all-levels ride is designed to challenge, motivate, and inspire—whether you’re a first-time rider or a seasoned pro. Modifications will be provided throughout, keeping the class accessible to everyone.
Bring your sneakers or SPD cycling shoes, a towel, and hydration—we’ll bring the beats, the lights, and the vibes.
This program is inspired by our current exhibition by Maggie Menghan Chen, whose work incorporates dance and music elements from Zumba, hip hop, krump, vogue, and ultimately metal to offer an outlet for the pent-up energy of an international community in isolation.
After your workout, refuel and reconnect with a complimentary mimosa, then enjoy live music by DJ Zosimo Maxino as you explore moCa Cleveland’s current exhibitions.
REI Groundwater Training
The Groundwater Presentation is an enlightening and interactive workshop organized by REI. In this session, our organizers delve into the concept that racism is fundamentally embedded in structural systems, using a combination of storytelling and data. By examining the characteristics of modern-day racial inequity, this presentation introduces participants to a valuable analytical perspective that many find immediately relevant. It pairs seamlessly with REI's Phase One workshop and is recommended as both an introduction to and follow-up for our comprehensive two-day workshop experience. Join us for this thought provoking and transformative session!
Cost: $100 per person. You can register here.
REI Phase One Day 1
The REI Phase One training is thoughtfully crafted to empower participants with a deeper comprehension of racism in its institutional and structural dimensions. Instead of dwelling on individual prejudices and biases, this workshop offers an insightful exploration of racism through its historical, cultural, and structural lenses. Key topics covered encompass our fish/lake/groundwater analysis of structural racism, the grasp and management of implicit bias, the intersection of race, poverty, and geographical location, markedness theory, institutional power dynamics and influencers, the significance of race and racism definitions, the historical legacy of race in American economic and policy evolution, as well as racial identity and its interplay with institutional culture.
By sharing a common language and achieving a clearer perception of how institutions and systems contribute to unjust and inequitable outcomes, participants will depart from this training better equipped to initiate positive change. Join us on this transformative journey towards a more equitable future.
You can register here.
Futureland AI Forward Summit
The Futureland AI Forward Summit Presented by Google, is a dynamic, community-powered summit designed to position Cleveland as a trailblazer in inclusive AI innovation. Taking place on November 20, 2025 at Museum of Contemporary Art in partnership with the City of Cleveland. An immersive, one-day experience bringing together thought leaders, creatives, technologists, and changemakers to explore the power of artificial intelligence across culture, community, and commerce.
Keynotes From Regional AI Leaders: Hear directly from the voices shaping Ohio’s AI future. Regional leaders will share insights on innovation, policy, and opportunity—spotlighting how our state is driving equitable growth, pioneering research, and building a connected AI ecosystem.
Fusion Forward Edutainment: Live Performances + Vibe Curation: Live music, immersive visuals, interactive AI art. A vibrant, sensory-driven experience that brings the future to life through art and technology. This activation will showcase AI as a storytelling tool.
Immersive 3D Artist Exhibit: This new activation invites audiences to step inside an evolving, digital art experience created by visionary artists using AI and 3D technology. Through projection mapping, spatial sound, and interactive elements, guests will explore works that respond in real time to movement, sound, and audience interaction.
After Hours Mixer: Close out the day with an unforgettable evening that blends technology, art, and culture. This immersive happy hour mixer brings together innovators, creatives, and community leaders for live music, interactive experiences, and meaningful connections that carry the energy of the summit forward.
Why Attend?
Step into the future with us at the AI Forward Summit.
Learn from bold leaders at the forefront of AI and innovation.
Unlock The Northeast Ohio ecosystem and see how it’s shaping the world.
Build connections that matter—from startups and corporations to creatives and researchers.
Discover insights and trends driving AI across industries and communities. Experience it all through dynamic panels, immersive art, and powerful networking.
In partnership with Fusion Forward!
REI Phase One Day 2
The REI Phase One training is thoughtfully crafted to empower participants with a deeper comprehension of racism in its institutional and structural dimensions. Instead of dwelling on individual prejudices and biases, this workshop offers an insightful exploration of racism through its historical, cultural, and structural lenses. Key topics covered encompass our fish/lake/groundwater analysis of structural racism, the grasp and management of implicit bias, the intersection of race, poverty, and geographical location, markedness theory, institutional power dynamics and influencers, the significance of race and racism definitions, the historical legacy of race in American economic and policy evolution, as well as racial identity and its interplay with institutional culture.
By sharing a common language and achieving a clearer perception of how institutions and systems contribute to unjust and inequitable outcomes, participants will depart from this training better equipped to initiate positive change. Join us on this transformative journey towards a more equitable future.
You can register here.
moCa Connect: Art of the Game
Join us at moCa Cleveland for an inspiring evening of conversation that bridges the worlds of art and athletics. This installment of moCa Connect explores "The Art of the Game", highlighting the creativity, discipline, and cultural impact that sports bring to our communities.
We're back with another edition of moCa Connect, and we have an all-star conversation for the evening. Cavaliers' legend Campy Russell will be in conversation with a playmaker from the country's newest WNBA franchise sharing stories about the duality of art and sports—moderated by Channel 19 News's Tiffani Tucker. Explore the road to their careers and the ways that culture and athletes impact each other.
After the conversation, we’ll open up the dance floor for a celebration filled with music, drinks, and connection. The night will also feature a tip-off of musical energy with performances by St1XX, along with music from Cleveland Browns DJ Ryan Wolf and one of Cleveland’s rising female DJs, DJ Locbabe.
Whether you’re a sports fan, art enthusiast, or someone curious about the intersection of both worlds, this event will leave you with a deeper appreciation of how the game itself is an art form.
![[WEBINAR] The South's Got Something to Say](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b33bcd69772ae34d4d81c66/1760973406030-N5RO7ZWY9XJ5STOKV1BN/South_banner.png)
[WEBINAR] The South's Got Something to Say
Join Next City and The People’s Practice for a conversation between Nathaniel Smith of Partnership for Southern Equity and Primus Wheeler of Jackson Medical Mall Foundation with respect to creating equitable communities rooted in strategies birthed from the American South.
LGBTQ+ Book Club
New club, new book. 🌈 For our first LGBTQ+ Book Club pick, we’re diving into Necessary Fiction by Eloghosa Osunde, a wild, reflective read that blurs the line between art and memory, queerness and becoming.
It’s giving imagination, honesty, and healing.
Meet us October 28 to talk through it all. And, as always, book club picks are 10% off online and in-store.
Accessibility and the Ballot [A Vote Early Day Event]
EEarly voting and accessibility go hand in hand.
On Vote Early Day* (Oct. 28), join Cleveland VOTES for the virtual premiere of their short documentary**, “Accessibility and the Ballot.” The documentary will be followed by discussion with some of the video participants and the Cleveland VOTES team. Attendees will leave with practical solutions and tools for ensuring our polling places work for everyone.
There will be live ASL translation during the event. Please reach out to brianna@clevotes.com if you require additional accommodations. We will do our best to accommodate you.
You can register here. You will receive the Zoom meeting link after you register.
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*Vote Early Day is a nonpartisan movement of media companies, businesses, nonprofits, election administrators, and creatives working to ensure all Americans have the tools to vote early. You can learn more about Vote Early Day here.
**The documentary is in partnership with LEAP Cleveland, Hands That Speak Volumes, Mamas Organizing Voter Economics, and Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center
RELAY CLEVELAND: Civic Engagement + Segregation by Design
Public commentary often deflects and points blame at individuals, rather than naming the real villains - systemic injustice and racism. We’ve been working to achieve and realize this thing we call ‘democracy’ for centuries. However, vicious acts, policies, and practices have resulted in an environment where the historically disenfranchised continue to be left behind. And this could not be truer than when we look at our education system.
Free Community Yoga
Free Community Yoga happening at ThirdSpace Reading Room each and every last Sunday of the month.
No RSVP Required.
QTBIPOC Kickbacks
FREE EVENT
We create community by offering a safe and welcoming space for queer and trans BIPOC to connect, be themselves, and make new memories while celebrating life together.
State of Our Democracy: Reverse Town Hall
Join Cleveland Votes on October 17 for the State of Our Democracy: Reverse Town Hall, where community leaders take the mic, and candidates running for office pause to listen, learn, and engage.
In typical town hall structures, candidates speak to residents; this event invites them to hear directly from the people. This one-of-a-kind experience centers your voice, especially voices too often left out of traditional campaign conversations and you’re invited to be part of it. Register Here.
Actívate Cleveland: Candidate Forum!
Young Latino Network and Avanzamos Unidos invites you to Actívate Cleveland: Candidate Forum!
Get to know the candidates running for the New Wards 5, 7, and 12 starting in 2026! This forum is your opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and engage with them on the issues that matter most to our Comunidad before the General Elections.
¡Conoce a los candidatos que se postulan para los Nuevos distritos 5, 7 y 12 que comenzarán en 2026! Este foro es tu oportunidad para escuchar directamente a los candidatos y relacionarte con ellos sobre los temas que más importan a nuestra Comunidad antes de las Elecciones Generales.
Fell free to bring your Kids: Activities will be On-Site! Register Here.
More Than My Art
Join us October 10 from 6-8:00pm for an engaging evening where imagination will meet civic engagement. We will be showcasing creative assets from our Creative Impact Network Program. The event is at 2355 East 89th Street Cleveland, OH 44106.
You can register here.
CMSD Community Event
With support from PNC Grow Up Great, The Children's Museum of Cleveland welcomes families from Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) schools for a FREE play session at the Museum. Families who attend the event will also receive a FREE family membership to the Museum, which provides unlimited visits for one year.
The event is free, but registration is required! Please register here.
Families MUST have a child currently enrolled in a CMSD school to attend this event.
Attendance at the event is required to receive the free membership.
Families with active CMC memberships that expire in 2026 or later are not eligible to receive a free membership at the event.
Innovative Approaches to Preserving and Expanding Homeownership
Homeownership is becoming harder to achieve everywhere as demand outpaces supply. But housing and neighborhood nonprofits are using a variety of tools—some complex and some simple--to preserve and expand homeownership.
Four leaders from across Ohio will discuss how their efforts are keeping homeowners in homes and expanding access to homeownership to new generations.
This webinar is generously sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. Register Here.
Virtual Community Session - Help Shape the New Outdoor Play Space for The Children's Museum of Cleveland
Your voice can help create a space where every child — and every family — belongs.
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland is planning a new outdoor play space, and the core goal is to design it with you, not just for you. Your ideas will help shape a space that is safe, welcoming, and joyful for children, families, and the whole community. This session is open to all families, members, neighbors, and community partners. Whether you’re a frequent visitor or you’ve never been to the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, your voice matters!
Zoom link provided after RSVP.
Bus Rapid Transit Open House
25Connects is now entering the design and engineering phase with the new MetroHealth Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Continuing with active engagement, it is important to GCRTA that community voices continue to shape the work.
YLN has joined Michael Baker International and City Architecture to ensure that our community is represented and our voices are heard.
We invite you to our Open House on Tuesday, October 7, so you can learn more about the project and share your ideas! Register Here.
Indie Ink Author Talk: A. Harris Brown
From the classroom to the mic, Anthony ‘A. Harris’ Brown has built his platform on storytelling, healing, and living unapologetically. 🖤 A proud HBCU grad and author of Inspire Me Moments, he’s bringing his voice and vision to ThirdSpace Reading Room for our next Indie Ink Author Talk. Pull up September 30 at 6:30pm.
FREE COMMUNITY YOGA
Every last Sunday of the month, ThirdSpace hosts their free community yoga. Come with your mats to align your chakras.
Great Lakes African American Writers Conference
The Eighth Annual Great Lakes African American Writers Conference (GLAAWC, pronounced “glossy”) features a nationally renowned author, Diane McKinney-Whetstone (the Langston Hughes Literary Keynote), and Kim Martin-Sadler (the Alice Dunbar Nelson Professional Keynote), a publishing industry expert, to share insights with authors and aspiring writers throughout the region. Accompanied by in-depth panel discussions, opportunities to network with esteemed literary minds, and be equipped with trending literary tactics, this event is a must-attend for all literary creatives and lovers of African American literature.
Join us for our annual day-long conference where Black literary creatives are celebrated and highlighted for their work in Cleveland and beyond. Learn from influential publishing industry professionals to obtain and enhance your writing objectives.
Save the date for Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Cleveland Public Library-MLK Branch! While this event is free and open to the public, Ms. McKinney-Whetsone’s latest novel, Family Spirit, will be available for purchase as a bundled ticket. Do take advantage of the bundled ticket and secure Ms. McKinney-Whetsone’s autograph during her book signing.
Also, on Friday, Sept. 26., GLAAWC, in partnership with the Case Western Reserve University English Department and the Baker-Nord Center, will host the Alice Dunbar-Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Cleveland’s own beloved and distinguished poet, Julie Patton. Additional details forthcoming.
Writers Center Stage presents: Ian McEwan
Ian McEwan’s literary works have earned him worldwide critical acclaim. His first collection of short stories, First Love, Last Rites, won the Somerset Maugham Award in 1976. McEwan was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction numerous times before winning the award for Amsterdam in 1998. His novel, Atonement, received the WH Smith Literary Award in 2002 and was made into an Oscar-winning film featuring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. His new book, What We Can Know, will be published on September 18, 2025. Single tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 3rd.
