September 19, 2024
Today, the Board of Directors for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) unanimously endorsed two important issues in the November 5th General Election: the new levy in support of Cleveland Metropolitan School District (Issue 49) and the renewed cigarette tax to support Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (Issue 55). CNP encourages voters to vote YES on both issues to support the equitable revitalization of Cleveland’s neighborhoods.
Members of the CNP Board of Directors and the organization’s President and CEO shared the following statements after today’s votes in favor of the issues:
Teresa Metcalf Beasley, Chair of the Board of Directors: “Schools and the arts bring life to Cleveland neighborhoods, and our votes today demonstrate Cleveland Neighborhood Progress’s commitment to investing in the quality of life across all neighborhoods. As Board Members of the nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Cleveland neighborhoods and strengthening the CDCs that serve those neighborhoods, it is incumbent on us to declare our support for these issues.”
Fred Bidwell, Board Member and Chair of CNP’s Policy and Advocacy Advisory Committee: “As a longtime advocate for the arts and neighborhoods, and with today’s unanimous votes from the CNP Board in support of these issue campaigns, I have confidence that voters will approve these measures in November. As a member of the Arts & Culture Action Committee and the Assembly for Action, I cannot overstate the importance of the arts to quality of life in Cleveland and to the economies of Cleveland neighborhoods. All these things – CDCs, the arts, and schools – bring our neighborhoods to life. We need to support them this November.”
Tania Menesse, President and Chief Executive Officer: “To so many residents, their community is reflected in both the education their children receive in school and in the vibrancy of the arts around them. Our CDC partners rely on CMSD’s strong educational systems and supports to keep children safe, learning, and engaged throughout the year. And they rely on Cuyahoga Arts and Culture to provide funding for arts-based programming that otherwise wouldn’t be possible in their communities. That’s why endorsing both ballot issues was important for our Board and our broader community. I’m proud to work with a Board that understands how these issues impact CDCs and the neighborhoods they serve.”