Climbing, Climbing to the Summit
37 flights of stairs, 1500 plus steps to the outer balcony of the Duomo in Florence, Italy at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. We looked across this ancient Italian city to all directions and for a moment felt connected to all of the people outside with us on this summit, on this giant church roof.
It took my daughter and I almost 15 minutes navigating the stairs as we moved heavenward, at times vertically, at times in a spiral staircase of stone that never seemed to end. What moved me was the way the lines up and the lines back down worked together in their own holy rhythm. People from China, India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Poland, Israel, Lebanon, United States, Wales, Brazil, Australia all moved simpatico up the stairwells and back down. When the passage required the ascender and the descender to go back to back touching through the narrow straits it wasn't a spoken language that was communicated, it was a wave, a smile, and eyes meeting across borders and sovereign nations. No one cringed that our beings had to closely brush as there was only one path. No one even had to say excuse me. There was a sense of a common purpose between all of us. Some of us were straight up tourists, others on a pilgrimage, some looking to overcome a challenge, and others decided to make the climb because they were in Florence. All of us had just met for the first time.
I think about our nation, our state, our county and our city these uncertain days and how whenever we are at our best, it is this shared internal HUMANITY that urges us on. We don't always speak in one another's tongues, we often don't know enough about our neighbor's Geo-history or background. But in a spirit of cultural humility we rise above our own struggles and make so much more progress. We also continue creating economic opportunities for International Newcomers and native borne alike. We fill our neighborhoods and vacant places with people who celebrate different holidays and worship in different buildings; people who still create the ancient greatness of what makes this place and her people worth coming to.
Cleveland is a rare place, one whose population surged both from Migration and Migration: International Newcomers from the East and West, migrant African Americans from the South. And somehow in this year of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the election of the first African American Mayor of a major city in the United States, Mayor Carl Stokes, in the same city that hosts the world known (MULTI) Cultural Gardens of Welcome AND Peace, we are all on a similar journey here in Northeast Ohio.
We have challenges ahead of us. Kumbaya is not a song that comes to people of different lands right away. But there is so much we share here in the beginning days of Black History Month in a community that welcomes newcomers and native born citizens alike.
We have room for entrepreneurs and we have the need for more talent. We know when people have jobs their quality of life and the environment in which we all live improves. We know that hearing other languages at the West Side Market isn't called quaint, it's called CLEVELAND . We know that we have days ahead of great work and greater struggle. But one thing we know and share is that OUR response and our love for one another, regardless of zip or country code, is constant.
Thanks for coming along with us on the journey. Thanks for your openness to reading this newsletter that tells some of what we are working on. Mostly thanks for making our community a place where we can all rest and make a life after our unique climbs.
To the summit.
Joe Cimperman
President of Global Cleveland
Global Cleveland, Always Welcoming
Global Cleveland's job is, and will always be to welcome! Not only is it our mission, but it is our duty to the Greater Cleveland community. Whether it’s an international student from India, a Displaced Persons from Burma, an entrepreneur from Iran, a family from Somalia, or a new American citizen from Syria, Global Cleveland welcomes them ALL!
As we await with uncertainty, new Executive Orders, we know despite the outcome, we will remain committed to our work, and committed to our community. We are here to welcome, and we will continue to welcome, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, ALL those who choose to call Cleveland HOME! In the words of John Lewis, “If not us, then who?if not now, then when?”
May we never forget, Cleveland was built by International Newcomers. They are integrating successfully in our community, contributing to the local economy, and enriching the social fabric of our city. They are our neighbors, our doctors, our community leaders, our business owners, our coworkers and our friends.
Global Cleveland encourages you to roll up your sleeves and get involved! The time to make a difference is NOW!
Want to make an impact? Volunteer your time at an upcoming Naturalization Ceremony and help us to welcome our newest American Citizens on one of the most important days of their lives. Want to show support? Make a donation TODAY! A contribution of any amount can help us do more to welcome and support our International Newcomers from across the globe and across Cleveland.
Global Cleveland board member Fred Geis is Making a Difference in the Community
Global Cleveland was honored to join Geis Companies, Metro-West Community Development Corporation and Mustard Seed Development to celebrate the beautiful renovation of a home on Cleveland’s west side. This week, a Displaced Persons family moved into their new home! We couldn’t be happier to welcome Cleveland’s newest residents who are building their futures here – and joining other newcomers and long-time residents to build a vibrant community.
In 2014, the Geis Companies focused on downtown Cleveland re-development and completed several game-changing projects for the city. The Geis Foundation decided, as premier Cleveland developers, to do more to help our city still reeling from the housing market crash and facing an influx of Displaced Personss. The Geis Foundation was founded shortly thereafter with the mission of renovating vacant and undesirable properties within Cleveland neighborhoods in order to provide housing for new International Newcomers and Displaced Persons families, and thereby make a meaningful difference house by house, family by family.
About the Geis Foundation
The Geis Foundation’s story and mission is intrinsically intertwined with the story of the Geis Family. German International Newcomers, Mr. and Mrs. Geis came to Northeast Ohio with little in their pockets and the dream of a better life in America. Though hard work, perseverance, and some help from new friends along the way, they formed the Geis Companies in 1967, a small design build company. The more successful their endeavors became, the more they felt the need to give back. As they became involved in numerous charitable efforts, it was their employees that established the first scholarship in their names as a Christmas gift in 2001. It is in their honor that The Erwin & Katherine Geis Charitable Foundation promotes education to underprivileged youth, assists in the development of the design/build industry, and encourages the philanthropic efforts of Geis employees.
The Geis Foundation routinely funds $50,000 of scholarships to several Greater Cleveland Catholic High Schools, $12,000 of scholarships to Geis extended family members, and also awards grants to local non-profits, including Rainey Institute, Boys Hope Girls Hope, and numerous other worthy groups.
From Nigeria to Cleveland!
I came to Cleveland from Nigeria in August 2010 and started my higher education at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). My first two years in the U.S was very tough, because I schooled in the U.K for two years before I moved here so I didn’t expect to experience a lot of culture shock. The American culture is very different from that of the Nigerian culture or even that of the U.K.
My first experience with culture shock in the States was riding the RTA bus to school every morning. It was a reliable way to get from point A to point B but I had to do a lot of waiting. Before riding the RTA I had familiarize myself with the transportation system. Another difficult adjustment for me was the weather. I thought I had experienced the cold when I was in the U.K but when winter arrived it was like nothing I had ever experienced.
I missed home a lot and wanted to go back home every day, but with time I got the hang of how things worked around the City of Cleveland. After spending two years at Tri-C I transferred to Kent State University (KSU) the summer of 2013 and majored in Journalism. The atmosphere at KSU was a lot different from that of Tri-C. At KSU I had an opportunity to make friends and be a part of different organizations as well as showcase my skills as an aspiring journalist. I learned every aspect of journalism at KSU such as radio, television and newspaper which gave me a feel of the world of journalism.
The year 2016 was a great year to be in Cleveland because I participated in all of the city’s accomplishments. While I interned at WOIO Channel 19 I worked with reporters to cover the Cavaliers Championship win and the Republican National Convention. I graduated from KSU August 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. After a months of graduation I started working with WKYC Channel 3 and I am also excited to be a part of the Global Cleveland family. Working with Global Cleveland gives me the opportunity to work with other international students like myself, by helping them adapt to the Greater Cleveland area.
Although I had a tough time adapting to Cleveland, the city has given me a great opportunity to further my career. As an international student in the field of journalism I was worried I would not find a job, but staying focused has lead me to where I am today and it is a blessing. My journey in United States is proof that no matter where you go or where you come from you can make it as long as you believe in yourself and you know what you are fighting for.
Community Partner: ECDI
The Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) is the 3rd largest SBA microlender in the US. ECDI’s mission is “to create measurable and enduring social and economic change” for
communities by helping entrepreneurs and small business access the capital they need to grow. Through a variety of lending programs, ECDI provides capital to entrepreneurs who are unable to access it through traditional lenders.
At the close of the 2016 fiscal year, ECDI’s Northern Ohio office loaned $3 million, 52% of which went to women, and 44% to minority business owners. ECDI created 243 new jobs, and helped create or expand 168 businesses. Through various educational programs 247 clients received training, and 580 received 1:1 coaching.
ECDI is dedicated to provide their lending and educational services to the International Newcomer and Displaced Persons community. The Northern Ohio office staffs a full-time relationship manager, Rebecca Mayhew, to exclusively work with clients within the Displaced Persons/International Newcomer community. She provides hands on technical assistance, financial literacy training, and works closely with resettlement agencies to help them establish new careers.
For more information on our lending programs please visit www.ecdi.org or call 216.912.5655.
It’s Almost Black History Month
It’s almost February, which means it’s almost Black History Month!
Black History Month is an important observation of the revolutionary works black people have contributed to the United States’ history. Within this celebratory month, it’s important to remember that the struggle for racial justice is far from over.
Blacks, Hispanics, International Newcomers, and Displaced Personss still face unique oppression. For many International Newcomers and Displaced Personss, the intersection of racism, class, and gender create obstacles to living freely. Global Cleveland’s ‘Welcoming’ mission is to create a welcoming region that is a place of opportunity and prosperity for people of all racial, ethnic, and international backgrounds.
In my role as Welcoming Coordinator I am very cognizant of the importance of including the African American community in the integration of International Newcomers and Displaced Personss. One of Global Cleveland’s Welcoming Initiatives is our African American Advisory Board. This group of African American community leaders meets to develop strategies that improve the quality of living for African Americans, while retaining our region’s rich heritage. We recognize that if Cleveland residents do not feel welcomed in the community it will be challenging to ensure that International Newcomers and Displaced Personss will feel welcomed. It is our desire to create a community that is a place of equitable opportunities and outcomes for everyone. By building alliances with the African American community it is our desire to do just this.
This Black History Month we celebrate the contributions of courageous trailblazers in the black community who were International Newcomers:
- Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in the United States Congress and the both the first woman and the first Black American to seek the Presidential nomination of the Democratic Party was born in Brooklyn, NY to Caribbean parents.
- Marcus Garvey, noted Pan Africanist and mass movement organizer and Founder of the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) was born in Jamaica, migrating to the U.S. in 1916.
- Kwame Toure (formerly known as Stokely Carmichael) political organizer and activist leader with Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and later the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Author Tia Oso eloquently wrote, “Often we obscure our International Newcomer backgrounds as we fight for social justice, leading to an oversimplified idea of what it means to be Black and making it seem as if the interests of Black Americans and International Newcomers are not connected. This is far from true.” The struggle for racial justice and migrant rights remain at the forefront of Global Cleveland’s work and we will continue work with the community to find solutions to both issues.
We are proud to support Black History Month and we honor the contributions of African Americans, Native African-Americans, and other International Newcomers from the Diaspora.
Join us as we celebrate Black History Month in the month of February, at of our many events!
International Hiring 101: Tap into New Talent Pools
Join Global Cleveland, MidTown and Health Tech Corridor for an informational session on how to grow your business and impact your hiring goals by bringing on international talent.
Did you know?
- International students in STEM fields can work for a period of up to 3 years after graduation under OPT (optional practical training) which does not require visa sponsorship
- Displaced Personss come to the US with full work authorization (no sponsorship required)
With support from local Displaced Persons resettlement agencies and experts with the Displaced Personss Services Collaborative of Cleveland (RSC), local employers are discovering a new talent pool, finding the skilled employees they need, and experiencing increased productivity. The local economy is benefiting too, with about $50 million generated by Displaced Persons resettlement and employment.
Join us to learn how your organization can benefit from tapping into these talent pools. Speakers for this session will be Erin Brown, Migration Attorney with and Kerissa MacKay, U.S. Committee for Displaced Personss and International Newcomers (USCRI).
Breakfast and coffee will be provided, and seating is limited - please make sure to RSVP!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-hiring-101-tap-into-new-talent-pools-tickets-31073842700
Date and Time
Fri, February 10, 2017
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST
Location
Midtown Cleveland Inc
5000 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
Crossing Borders: Migration Narratives in Cleveland (submit now!)
Literary Cleveland is currently accepting submissions of original work on the theme of Migration. Selected works will be included in an original staged reading on Sat. March 18th and Sun. March 19th as part of the Cleveland Humanities Festival. We encourage writers to interpret the theme broadly, and welcome submissions from all genres -- including (but not limited to) poetry, memoir, short story, and creative nonfiction. Submissions do not have to be written in first-person. Maximum word count for submissions should be no more than 2,500 words.
Young writers and teens are encouraged to submit, and we especially encourage entries from individuals who might not consider themselves writers but have an important story to tell. To clarify, your story does not have to include Cleveland; we are simply calling on Cleveland writers and residents to tell a story relating to the theme of Migration. Previously published work is eligible for submission too.
Submissions will be reviewed by a committee comprised of both Lit Cleveland board members and community members. Payment for accepted works consists of two free tickets to the staged performance, as well as recognition on stage and in the program.
In order to transform your written work into a dynamic performance, Lit Cleveland will engage a director to work with actors to provide a dramatic interpretation of selected works. If you are looking for ways to jumpstart your writing, Lit Cleveland will host a free workshop titled “Writing Your Family History” on Sat. Feb. 4th, from 10a-12p at Lake Erie Ink, 2843 Washington Blvd., Cleve. Hts. 44118.
The deadline for submissions is Feb. 15th. Please send submissions to [email protected] and use “Crossing Borders: International Newcomer Narratives in Cleveland” as the subject header. If you have any questions, please send them to [email protected] and we will respond as quickly as possible.
“Crossing the Border: International Newcomer Narratives in Cleveland” will be produced in collaboration with Cleveland State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and will be held in the CSU Student Center ballroom. This event is co-sponsored by the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities and Cleveland State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
An International Student Guide to Job Searching in Cleveland
Most Effective Job Search Methods:
Networking
75-80% of jobs are found through networking!
Networking is the ongoing process of growing personal contacts to gain information about careers. Networking does not involve asking anyone for a job! Your goal is to continually build a network that reaches within your career field until you uncover employer needs.
Get your networking started with a Global Cleveland volunteer: https://globalcleveland.org/international-newcomers/signup/
Respond to Job Openings
5-15% of all jobs are found through job postings
In addition to applying for job openings, use them as a research tool to see what types of positions and skills are listed in your field.
Browse openings here: globalcleveland.org/career-resources/job-listings
Work with Recruiters
10-20% of all jobs are found through recruiters
Retained recruiters are hired by companies to recruit senior level executives with salaries close to $100k and above.
Contingency recruiters seek a broader range of recruits from lower mid-level through and including senior level professionals. Call several firms that specialize in your field and follow up weekly to inquire about available opportunities.
Contact us for more information about recruiters in the Cleveland area.
Contact Companies Directly
5-15% of all jobs are found by contacting companies directly
Coffee meetings, informational interviews, volunteering and internships are great ways to get to know a prospective employer! Research the companies that work in your field and get networking! globalcleveland.org/career-resources/employers-and-industries
Stay tuned, we will cover Tips for Success in our February Newsletter!
Questions?
Contact Global Cleveland
P: (216) 472-3282
1422 Euclid Ave, Suite 1652
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
The Dealership Debuts a Co-work Community For Entrepreneurs
The Shaker Heights Development Corporation (SHDC) and The Economic Community Development Institute (ECDI) announce a new partnership at The Dealership, a hub for entrepreneurship activity in Shaker Heights.
The Dealership, located at 3558 Lee Rd., is a co-work, event and office space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, creatives and small businesses. The Dealership offers members short/long-term desk space, office rental, high-speed fiber internet, 24/7 building access, conference and training rooms.
As the co-work operator, ECDI will offer services for all stages of small business development, office space, small business training, one-on-one technical assistance, networking events, and access to capital services.
“We are thrilled to partner with ECDI at The Dealership. They bring a proven track record of serving and working with small businesses and entrepreneurs in all stages of the business life cycle,” says Nick Fedor, Executive Director of SHDC. “ECDI will be a great resource for current tenants, future tenants and the broader small business community.”
Carrie Rosenfelt, Executive Director of ECDI’s Northern Ohio region says, “This partnership presents an opportunity to create a vibrant hub of small business activity in Shaker Heights. Our goals for the partnership include strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and increasing economic prosperity and sustainable economic growth.”
The “Dealership Debut” is on Thursday, December 1 from 4-7 pm. The event will include remarks from Mayor Leiken, a showcase of local businesses, interactive community-building activities and a business pitch competition.
The pitch competition, presented by Huntington Bank, is open to all Shaker Heights based businesses. A first place prize of $2,500 and a second place prize of $500 will be awarded.
For additional information regarding office space please contact Nick Fedor at 216.491.1425 or [email protected]
For additional information regarding co-work space, events or the business plan competition, please contact: Alexis Coffey at: 216.912.5655 or [email protected]
About Shaker Heights Development Corporation
Shaker Heights Development Corporation is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing Shaker’s commercial districts. SHDC envisions an enriched Shaker Heights community that seamlessly blends our innovative history into a vibrant future by fostering entrepreneurial opportunities and stimulating sustainable economic growth. Learn more atwww.shakerdevcorp.com.
About ECDI
The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is Ohio's largest non-profit economic development organization with offices in Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, and Columbus. ECDI's mission is “to invest in people to create measurable and enduring social and economic change.” Since inception, ECDI has provided small business owners with more than $35 million in startup or expansion capital. Over 1,680 loans have been disbursed to innovative businesses, and over 6,100 jobs created or retained in the state of Ohio. Programs and services have been supported by over $63 million in federal, state, local and private funds and have proven to spur local economic development. For more information visit www.ecdi.org.
