There are countless people of color from the Cleveland area who have been instrumental throughout the city’s history with their innovative work in the realms of advocacy, civil rights, re-entry and much more. As an agency that prioritizes advocacy and empowering those who are often forgotten and overlooked in the community, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry has supported the work of these individuals and has even had the honor of working alongside many of them.
During Black History Month, we celebrated and praised these individuals; from the likes of Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Louis Stokes, influential politicians who were tirelessly working towards change at the national level, to Dorothea Lyons and Harllel Jones, prominent figures who helped shape the very foundation of LMM as an agency. We also can’t forget Charles See (who still remains involved with the agency today), a trailblazer known for his innovative and nationally recognized work in community re-entry that has sparked change in the criminal justice system.
While Black History Month has come to an end and many of these individuals have since passed on, their legacies deserve to live on forever. Their impact is strongly felt during Black History Month, but they will continue to be honored beyond February, as their work has greatly changed the lives of many..
