Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Class of 2018 Cleveland Marriott Hotel Ballroom April 17, 2018
Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2018 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
2018 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
The ceremony on April 17, 2018 began after a networking/cocktail hour. It was another sellout of about 500 people.
Channel 19 news anchor Chris Tanaka served as MC for the induction of the 2018 class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
Channel 19 news anchor Chris Tanaka
Chris welcomed the crowd and introduced the Horizon Science Academy JROTC Color Guard and William Clarence Marshall who led the national anthem.
Horizon Science Academy JROTC Color Guard
William Clarence Marshall leads the national anthem
Singing the National Anthem
Chris Tanaka then told some of his own story.
Chris Tanaka telling his story
Watch the video of Chris Tanaka and the Color Guard and National Anthem.
Chris then introduced Dan Hanson, co-founder of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. Before he left the stage, Chris first took the obligatory selfie.
Dan Hanson thanked the volunteers and sponsors and introduced the board of directors. Dan thanked volunteers Pat Hanson, Ruth and Rich Crepage, Rania Abbadi , Yulu Li, Monica Ceja and Olivia Ortega. Also photographers Ed O’Shaben, Anjan Ghose, Tim Ryan and Harry Weller.
Cleveland International Hall of Fame Board of Directors Debbie Hanson, John Lewis, Mike Miller, Steve Owendoff, Bill Carney and Dan Hanson
Dan Hanson
Cleveland International Hall of Fame Co-founder Debbie Hanson
Dan then gave a few words and memories about each of the 2018 inductees: Sister Alicia Alvarado, Sheila Murphy Crawford, Dr. Ahtul Mehta, Abdullah (Abby) Mina, Judge Ralph Perk Jr. and Judge Ray Pianka (posthumously). Watch the video.
Pastor Grady Stevenson who serves as Director of the City of Cleveland’s Community Relations Board gave a brief blessing and invocation before dinner.
Pastor Grady Stevenson
Watch the video of Pastor Grady Stevenson.
After Dinner, MC Chris Tanaka told the crowd the criteria to get into the Cleveland International Hall of fame. Watch the video.
Then the honorees were inducted (alphabetically). Click on the name to see photos and videos from the induction ceremony and read a brief bio of each inductee.
After the inductions of the members of the 2018 class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame, co-founder Dan Hanson led the sold out crowd in a toast to the inductees: Sister Alicia Alvarado, Sheila Murphy Crawford, Dr. Atul Mehta, Abdullah (Abby) Mina, Judge Ralph Perk Jr. and Judge Ray Pianka (posthumously). Watch the short video.
Toast to the 2018 Class
2018 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame with Debbie Hanson, Chris Tanaka and Dan Hanson
