Dr. Ariel Hayes and Lisa Farmer Cole trace a lineage of Black women who shaped Cleveland’s schools, from Hazel Mountain Walker’s steady challenge to segregation-era norms to the system-wide leadership of Sammie Campbell Parrish and Barbara Byrd Bennett. Together, they reflect on what it meant to be “the first,” to lead through uncertainty, and why these women’s legacies still resonate in classrooms and boardrooms today.

The Say Her Name storytelling salon was hosted in partnership with Relay Cleveland and Enlightened Solutions.

Genie Booker, granddaughter of Daisy Craggett, shares the story of her grandmother’s leadership and lifelong activism, including her role as a co-founder of the Relay Parents March to Fill Empty Classrooms.

Through personal memories and reflection, Genie recalls Mrs. Daisy’s values, determination, and the moment she came to understand her grandmother’s powerful place in the history of school desegregation in Cleveland.

Daneé Pinckney and Chinenye Nkemere lift up the stories of women who advanced educational equity outside the classroom, shaping schools through community leadership, advocacy, and policy change.

They center figures like Ruth Turner, executive secretary of the Congress of Racial Equality in Cleveland, and C. J. Prentiss, state legislator and education advocate, and explore how grassroots organizing paired with policy action helped push the fight for just and equitable education forward.

Deborah shares her experience with motherhood, which includes much loss, including her biological mother, who died when she was an infant, and her 40-year-old daughter, who died unexpectedly.

Jessica, the owner of Jess Juiced, runs a company that specializes in raw fruit and vegetable juices. Her journey from teenage motherhood to adulthood has been marked by resilience.

Julian is an activist, serial entrepreneur, and network builder who was born and raised in Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood. Learn how Julian honors his mother and her advocacy as he continues to build power in his community.

Miles and Helen have been neighbors on Cleveland's southeast side for over 50 years. They're now seasoned homeowners, aging in place, with an inspiring story of solidarity, heartbreak, and community.

Adenike is the owner and founder of Gourmet Girl Custom Cakes. Her unique approach to cake designing involves creating custom cakes that tell a story and reflect the personality, style, and uniqueness of her clients.

James Barnes is the founder and CEO of Immaculate Cleaning. His clients include notable organizations, including the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland Monsters, and Cleveland Clinic.

Chanell is the owner and founder of CURE Nail Gallery. Her gel-exclusive nail art haven offers exceptional natural nail care services and out-of-this-world art for nail care enthusiasts and creative spirits.

Randell (Randy) is arguably one of the most influential Black civic leaders in the Greater Cleveland region. As the Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Talent Officer for RPM International Inc., co-founder of PolicyBridge, and the Rid-All Green Partnership, Randy’s resume is long, impactful, and unique.

In this thoughtful conversation, we discuss his wins, the wisdom he’s gained through his journey as a civic leader, and the lessons he wants a younger crop of leaders to hear.

Jerome is a Licensed Professional Counselor. As co-founder of Express Not Suppress, LLC, he promotes mental health access for underserved populations through innovative platforms. As an active member of the community, Jerome fosters healing, empowerment, and transformation.

Kristen is a visionary nail artist and creative entrepreneur who blends art, movement, and wellness to inspire radical self-love and authenticity. Her work goes beyond beauty, empowering others to embrace their individuality with confidence and grounded grace.

Tara is the founder of The Self Care Suite, a digital wellness community for Black women. A certified breathwork facilitator and wellness advocate, her voice has been featured on New York magazine's The Cut, Black Enterprise, and Essence.

Her debut nonfiction title, Bloom How You Must, hit bookshelves in fall 2025.

Enlightened Solution's 2024 Project Noir survey and upcoming report focus on Black women's experiences in healthcare, workplaces, and educational systems in Cleveland. To provide context for the current state of Black women in Greater Cleveland, we had an in-depth one-on-one conversation with Habeebah Grimes, the CEO of Positive Education Program and the creator of the No Crystal Stair Podcast.

This installation was hosted in partnership with Enlightened Solutions.

Brian is a seasoned educator, mentor, and husband who has taught history and designed diversity strategies for several schools and organizations in Greater Cleveland. Brian understands the importance of representation for Black students in all spaces. He has studied it, taught it, and, most importantly, he has lived it.

Dion is a licensed school counselor, social entrepreneur, husband, and father. To promote healthy Black parenting, with a focus on fatherhood, he created the brand Mad Black Dad. Dion's early educational journey was unique, having attended four elementary schools in three different states: Alaska, Ohio, and Louisiana. He uses his personal experiences as motivation to become the competent Black male educator he wished he had when he was younger.

Latonia is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She is also the principal of the historic Glenville High School. Even before the term became popular, she was already implementing social-emotional educational practices in her classroom.

Despite facing personal challenges in her life, Latonia uses these experiences to passionately advocate for the safety and success of her students. She graduated from the city's public schools and has been an experienced educator for many years. As such, her opinions on the current state of public education are well-informed and deeply rooted.

Dameyonna is the founder of Queen I Am, an empowerment program that teaches girls the importance of self-love, self-respect, and self-understanding. Dameyonna's story sheds light on the complex struggles that children face today, including low self-esteem and peer pressure, particularly in the age of social media.