Black History Month | 5 Inspiring Black Women From Cleveland

Phoebe Robinson

Born in Cleveland, attended Gilmour Academy as the only black student in her grade.
Comedian, writer and actress.
Best known for her WNYC Studios podcast, 2 Dope Queens, which turned into four one-hour HBO specials (also hosts Sooo Many White Guys, another WNYC Studios Podcast).
New York Times best-selling author of the book You Can’t Touch My Hair and Other Things I Still Have to Explain (also check out Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay published in 2018).
Check out this NPR interview with Phoebe.

Born a New Yorker, currently resides in the suburbs of Cleveland.
Vice President at New York Life after serving in several roles, ranging from entry level to appointive officer.
25 years of experience in the financial services industry; holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a MBA in Quantitative Analysis from St. John’s University.
Member, Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland – 2018 recipient of the Outstanding Board Volunteer award from the Boys & Girls Clubs Michigan/Ohio Area Council.
Check her out in Crain’s Cleveland Business.

Born in Texas, came to Cleveland as a recipient of a Rockefeller Foundation grant to study African American music.
Zelma was the first black woman to play a leading predominately white role on Broadway.While in Cleveland she wrote and acted in several musical and opera productions.
In the 1950s, George served on several government committees at the national level.
She was honored with a role as a good-will ambassador and an appointment as U.S. alternate delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.
From 1966-74 she served as the director of the Cleveland Jobs Corps.
After retiring she lectured at Tri-C.

Cleveland City Council Member Ward 7 (1980-2008) – the longest-serving female council member in the city of Cleveland.
Civil Rights Activist.
Mainly worked to restore and improve the neighborhood of Hough in the wake of the 1966 Hough Riots.
Inducted into the Ohio Women Hall of Fame in Columbus in 1996.

Born in Alabama and moved to Cleveland to obtain her MLS from Case Wester Reserve University
Soprano Soloist at the Fairmont Presbyterian Church.
43 years as Director, Host and Producer of ‘the Black Arts’ on WCLV.
Teacher at the Cleveland Music School Settlement.
Member, jazz-folk ensemble, The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe.
Sang with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chamber Chorus.
The Cleveland Arts Prize honored her for “a life committed to music, family and the contributions of African Americans to culture, history and the arts.”