Global Cleveland Turns 10 | Richard Konisiewcz

As Interim Director for Global Cleveland in 2015-2016, Richard Konisiewcz reflects on the immigrant and refugee stories that still inspire him today. Konisiewcz shares his own family’s experiences as Polish immigrants, and his leadership perspective on Global Cleveland’s past, present, and future.

The words I use to describe Global Cleveland – in addition to “welcoming” – are “young” and “potential”. We were a “young” non-profit, inspired by the younger generations of leaders and newcomers who brought great “potential” with their new ideas and new frameworks, even from a technology standpoint. That potential exists with college kids and international students. There’s a real desire to learn more. To not stay in their own caves from their own ethnic groups. A real thirst and awareness that things are truly changing.

In retrospect, I’m proud of holding the organization together during a time of rebirth. That challenging time was marked by moving the organization in a new direction by inspiring trustees and creating programming in light of shrinking funding and staffing. We continued to create newsletters and host meetings with immigrants to find jobs with HR directors and HR organizations. Keeping us in the public eye and moving forward with international newcomer events like the Immigrant Heritage Month, mixers at ethnic-owned restaurants like Phnom Penh and Luchita’s, helped make the immigrant community welcomed, supported, and connected.

As far as outreach into the community, I think the work that Global Cleveland does with the Refugee Services Collaborative of Greater Cleveland and the various individual organizations that make up the Collaborative is important. This Collaborative, with the impressive leadership of Janus Small as the convener, was truly impactful. We were a group of 15-20 organizations that offered similar outreach refugee services, meeting the first Wednesday morning of the month. People worked so hard to alleviate the pain and suffering of those coming in who may have lived in a camp for 5-7 years previously. Refugees with no one to help them and nowhere to turn. 

I was attracted to Global Cleveland because of my appreciation of international cultures and my experience working in Cleveland’s ethnic communities that are filled with generations of immigrants.

As the Interim Director of Global Cleveland in 2015-16, my admiration of immigrants and their sojourn from their homelands to a new country flourished. My philosophy regarding immigration is based on the biblical understanding of welcoming others. From the Book of Genesis and throughout the many books and letters of the Old and New Testaments, statements like, “You were a refugee in a strange land and were welcomed,” exist.  An organization like Global Cleveland is almost a biblical mandate. 

I’m of Polish descent. I grew up in a bilingual home with my brother and sisters. We knew how to talk to our grandparents in Polish because they lived with us. Immigration today looks very different from the 1920s and 1930s immigration of my grandparents’ generation. What makes Global Cleveland different than any other model of its kind is simply Joe Cimperman. He is a proven, fantastic leader. He understands the immigrant experience coming from an immigrant family and upbringing himself. He is a real plus for the city and Global Cleveland. Joe is a true leader and thinker, always thoughtful, always coming up with wonderful ideas, and executing well. Really think things through before saying or doing anything.

I have many fond memories as an administrator at Global Cleveland. With the strong and dedicated leadership it currently has under Joe Cimperman, I think it will expand its services to newcomers in a very real way, especially in real and then realized employment opportunities.