One Cleveland (1)
Cleveland Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
One Cleveland is a civic pride campaign coordinated by Cleveland Public Library that celebrates what connects us as Clevelanders. By highlighting the people, stories and values that unite us, the campaign inspires Clevelanders to see themselves as part of a shared civic story and a movement to create a better Cleveland. As part of One Cleveland, the Cleveland 230 recognizes 230 individuals whose work, leadership and impact reflect the spirit and strength of our city, celebrating the people who have made Cleveland’s history and those shaping Cleveland’s future.
Challenge/Opportunity
Engage community members and organizations in a civic campaign that celebrates Cleveland and its accomplishments.
Highlight historic figures, changemakers and community leaders through the Cleveland 230, recognizing the people who have shaped the city.
Key Elements of Innovation
To celebrate our city, we knew its people had to be at the heart of the campaign. One Cleveland was built around three pillars:
Partnerships: More than 230 organizations pledged to participate, from arts and nonprofits to sports teams and community groups, bringing together sectors that do not always have the chance to connect.
Events: Free experiences brought Clevelanders together and showcased our city, including a Cleveland Ballet performance, Cleveland Cavaliers championship exhibit, author talks and community celebrations.
Stories: The Cleveland 230 celebrates people who have shaped our city. Local journalist Leon Bibb helped share honorees’ stories through a video series.
The citywide participation makes One Cleveland unique, taking the library’s storytelling beyond our walls and into the community.
Achieved Outcomes
One Cleveland set a goal of bringing together 230 community partners and has since surpassed that goal, showing strong participation from organizations across the city.
Engagement is being measured through event attendance, website visits and social media engagement as the campaign continues through the end of the year.
One Cleveland has strengthened partnerships with organizations like the Cleveland Cavaliers, who partnered with the Library on an exhibit celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2016 championship. The exhibit has received positive feedback from visitors who were excited to relive a moment that brought Cleveland together.
