Durden is an environmental educator who has lead programs and activities both nationally and internationally. He is currently involved in projects in Ghana, Kenya, Belize, and Israel.
McShepard is also the Co-Founder and Chairman of PolicyBridge, a public policy think tank serving the Northeast Ohio region.
Born and raised in Cleveland’s Central Avenue neighborhood
Singer, guitarist songwriter
Wrote songs for the Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett and Janis Joplin
Preformed guitar back up for Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin
Launched a solo career that reached its peak in the 1970s
In 2009, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Frank Robinson
Born and raised in Cleveland
Played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles
After a playing career, he was hired in 1975 by the Cleveland Indians as a Coach, making him the first black manager in MLB history
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982
Louis Stokes (1925-2015)
Born and raised in Cleveland
American attorney, civil rights pioneer and politician
Served 15 terms in the US House of Representatives
Was the first African American congressman elected in the state of Ohio
In his retirement, Stokes worked as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University
Jim Brown
Born and raised in Cleveland
Athlete, actor, activist
One of the Cleveland Browns greatest players(1957–1965)
Every season Brown played, he was voted into the Pro Bowl, and he left the league strong by scoring three touchdowns in his final Pro Bowl game
Brown retired in July 1966, after nine seasons, as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher
In retirement, Brown pursued acting starring in Dirty Dozen and Ice STation Zebra.
Most notably, Brown was the first African-American to announce a televised boxing match in the United States
