Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.
Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2024 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The April 23, 2024 induction event at Windows on the River was a sell out with 500 people in attendance.
The 2024 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame consists of:
Dona Brady (Albanian heritage) who was inducted by Cleveland City Councilman Michael Polensek.
Ambassador Edward Crawford (Irish) who was inducted by Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason.
Veronica Dahlberg (Mexican and broader Hispanic) who was inducted by Cleveland City Councilwoman Jasmin Santana.
Dr. Eugene Jordan (African-American) who was inducted posthumously Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr.
Erika Puussaar (Estonian) who was inducted by Estonia´s Ambassador to the United States Mr. Kristjan Prikk
Johnny K. Wu (Chinese and broader Asian) was inducted by Margaret W. Wong.
Click on the names (above) to go to a page with the photos and videos of that person's induction. Below is a video of the entire evening taken by TV20 professionals Dan Monroe and Raulston Douse. Thanks guys.
WKYC News Anchor Carmen Blackwell served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
Carmen Blackwell
Bishop Edward Malesic gave the invocation.
Bishop Edward Malesic
There were remarks and welcomes from Albert Ratner, City Council President Blaine Griffin, CIHF Co-founder Dan Hanson and County Executive Chris Ronayne.
Save the Date! The 2024 Inductions will be Tuesday April 23, 2024 at Windows on the River.
Submit your nominations for the 2024 Class now! To be considered for induction the person must have made a significant and lasting contribution to a particular ethnic group or the broader ethnic communities of Cleveland and NE Ohio. Self-nominations are acceptable. The list of nominees will be sent to previous inductees of the CIHF for their input. The 2024 Class will be announced this Fall.
2020/2022
Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for both the 2020 and 2022 Classes of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
Covid-19 forced the always sold out induction ceremonies to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021. We tried to induct the 2020 class virtually but it was not the same. So once we were able to gather together again, we included the 2020 class in the induction ceremony along with the 2022 class on June 7, 2022. The event at Windows on the River was a sell out and the 2020 class finally got their moment in the spotlight.
2022 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
2022 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame Seated (l-r) Anda Cook, Taras Szmagala Standing - Victor Ruiz, Carl Robson MD
2020 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
2020 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame Seated (l-r) Margaret Lynch, May Chen, Valarie McCall
Standing Berj Shakarian, Joe Valencic, Ramesh Shah
2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
The 2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame was inducted in front of 500 people (a sell out) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center on April 18, 2017.
Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
The Cleveland International Hall of Fame Class of 2017 consists of
(in alphabetical order) :
The Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction ceremony was another official sell out! Thank you Cleveland.
The Cleveland International Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2015 Class. The 2015 Class was selected with the input of the previously inducted members from almost 150 nominees.
The 2015 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame consists of (alphabetical order):
Shiv K. Aggarwal inducted by Michael Sreshta
Richard Ganim
inducted by Pierre Bejjani
Steve Mulloy (posthumous)
inducted by Mayor Jane Campbell
Bishop Anthony Pilla
inducted by Sam Miller
Richard Pogue
inducted by Sanjiv Kapur
Dick Russ
inducted by Loree Vick
Honorable José A. Villanueva
inducted by José Feliciano
The induction ceremony will be on Wednesday April 29, 2015 in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center.
This event will be another sellout. You can order tickets, sponsorships and ads in the collector's edition program book now by contacting Debbie at deb@clevelandpeople.com or directly at 216-406-6594.
If you are attending the Cleveland International Hall of Fame Induction
Doors open at 5PM with networking and a cash bar till 5:45 when we will be piped into the Grand Ballroom by bagpiper Bruce Grieg.
We have secured special reduced parking rates at the Marriott - both self-park and valet BUT they do not kick in till 5PM. So if you try and park before 5 it may be much more expensive.
Note there is also an Indians home game that evening.
The ceremony and then dinner starts promptly at 6PM.
Cleveland International Hall of Fame - 2014 Class
The 2014 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame was inducted at a dinner ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center on the evening of Monday May 12, 2014
520 people (and a waiting list) attended the ceremony. The large crowd and early Sell Out was a testament to the outstanding inductees.
2014 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Thanks to the sponsors of the 2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Diamond Sponsors
Cleveland Clinic
Forest City Enterprises
John and Mary Coyne
Platinum Sponsor
Cleveland State University
Gold Sponsors
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland Museum of Art
Margaret W. Wong & Assoc. Co. , LPA
Silver Sponsors
Advantage Consulting
Cathedral Latin Alumni
Bronze Sponsors
Dave's Markets
Huntington Bank
Indus International Inc.
Rich Foods
Table Sponsors
Alex Machaskee & Associates
Center for Pastoral Leadership
Donauschwaben
Dow POLY-CARB
Friendship Foundation
Guru Nanak Foundation Inc.
Global Cleveland
Irish American Archives Society
MetroHealth Center
Miceli Dairy
Panzica Construction
St. Vitus Parish
Worldwide Intercultural Network - WIN
ClevelandPeople.Com strives to recognize and promote the value of the "tossed salad" of diversity which makes Cleveland a richer city. The Cleveland International Hall of Fame permanently recognizes those individuals who have made a valuable and lasting contribution to our multicultural society.
2012 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Photos, Videos, Bios and more from the Induction Ceremony Including the Terry Stewart keynote and addresses by Albert Ratner and Dr. Ronald Berkman
2012 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Almost 90 people were nominated for this honor. Congratulations to the Class of 2012! (alphabetical order)
What's Next:
Due in part to a generous offer from Sam Miller at the 2011 ceremony, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame is working with Tom Scanlon of Collins & Scanlon LLP to become a separate corporation and apply for non-profit status. (Sam, you will be the first to hear when we become a 501c3)
Incorporating board members are Dan Hanson, Debbie Hanson, William Carney, John Lewis, Mike Miller, Steve Owendoff and Albert Seymour. Soon an Advisory Board will be created. Let us know if you are interested.
Non-profit status will allow us to apply for grants and solicit donations easier. These funds will go toward plans to physically memorialize the inductees in an appropriate location as well as making the Cleveland International Hall of Fame sustainable.
The 2011 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame was inducted in a ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center with almost 450 attendees. Over 75 people were nominated. The 2011 Class consists of (alphabetical order)
Vijaya L. Emani (Inducted by Raj Pillai)
Luis Martinez (inducted by Andres Gonzalez)
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. (inducted by Congressman Louis Stokes)
Tony Petkovsek (inducted by Terry Stewart)
Mayor Ralph J. Perk (inducted by Justice Terrence O'Donnell)
Gerald M. Quinn (inducted by Tom Scanlon)
Albert B. Ratner (inducted by Sam Miller)
Gia Hoa Ryan (inducted by Margaret Wong)
Lucretia Stoica (inducted by Ken Kovach)
2011 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Alex Machaskee introduced Sam Miller who gave the keynote address.
Thank you to our 2011 sponsors:
Platinum Sponsor - Forest City Enterprises
Gold Sponsor - Global Cleveland
Gold Sponsor - Huntington Bank
Silver Sponsor - Alex Machaskee & Associates
Silver Sponsor - Discoverhelp, Inc.
Bronze Sponsor - Margaret W. Wong & Associates
To learn more about opportunities for the Cleveland International Hall of Fame please contact Debbie Hanson directly at deb@ClevelandPeople.Com or 216-381-8310.
Some of the 2010 Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductees with keynote speaker Albert Ratner
(Top row) Robert Haas, August Pust, Albert Ratner, Paramjit Singh and Tom McCcauley. (Seated) Paul Sciria, Irene Morrow, Margaret Wong, Jenny Brown and Dr. Dieu Thuc Do
