The African-American Experience in Cleveland

The Cleveland Restoration Society’s 40th Anniversary Legacy Project was a survey of resources significant to Cleveland’s African-American history and culture followed by an educational component called “Know Our Heritage.”

*Jane Edna Hunter. Courtesy of the Phillis Wheatley Association.*

*Antioch Baptist Church. Photo* *Courtesy of Antioch Baptist Church*.

*Myrtle Avenue homes built by Bussey Construction. Photo Courtesy of Cleveland State University. Michael Schwartz Library. Special Collections.*

*Langston Hughes home. Courtesy of Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation.*

*Majestic Hotel. Photo Courtesy of Cleveland State University. Michael Schwartz Library. Special Collections.*

The survey was completed by Alexa McDonough, an Ohio History Service Corps, Ohio Historic Preservation Corps Surveyor stationed at CRS. The project was guided by a task force of community leaders: Natoya Walker-Minor and Bracy Lewis, co-chairs; Bishara Addison; Christopher Busta-Peck; Jennifer Coleman; Carla Dunton; Susan Hall; Shelley Stokes-Hammond; Cleveland City Councilman Jeff Johnson; Reverend Charles Lucas; Reverend Tony Minor; Carolyn Smith; Dr. Stephanie Ryberg Webster; Dr. Regennia Williams; and Jessica Wobig.

The Know Our Heritage Education Program was made possible in part by a grant from the Ohio History Connection’s History Fund. The History Fund is supported exclusively by voluntary donations of Ohioincome tax refunds and designated gifts to the Ohio History Connection.

Cleveland Restoration Society is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund the Cleveland Restoration Society with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Thanks to the Ohio Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government grant program, supported by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior’s Historic Preservation Fund, and the Abington Foundation, for the generous support of this project.

Please view the report below or click HERE for the PDF version.

Know Our Heritage