They are the dedicated community leaders committed to creating and sustaining a city of true greatness — one that provides opportunities for businesses to prosper, for new ideas to flourish, for cultural richness to thrive and for residents to enjoy an exceptional quality of life.

During its 225 years, Cleveland has been a city blessed with accomplished leaders from civic, business, philanthropic and government spheres.

THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE CREATED THE LASTING HERITAGE THAT MAKES CLEVELAND THE CITY IT IS TODAY.

The recipients of the Cleveland Heritage Medal uphold the legacy of the greatest leaders from our city’s long history. These honorees were selected by a committee made up of other dedicated community and corporate leaders.

JOSÉ FELICIANO, SR.

JOSÉ FELICIANO, SR.


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JOSÉ FELICIANO, SR.

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JOSÉ FELICIANO, SR.

GEORGE FORBES


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GEORGE FORBES

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TED GINN, SR.

TED GINN, SR.


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TED GINN, SR.

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STEPHEN HOFFMAN

STEPHEN HOFFMAN


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STEPHEN HOFFMAN

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SISTER JUDITH ANN KARAM

SISTER JUDITH ANN KARAM


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SISTER JUDITH ANN KARAM

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Richard J. Bogomolny

Richard J. Bogomolny


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Richard J. Bogomolny

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Margot James Copeland

Margot James Copeland


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Margot James Copeland

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Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney


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Beth Mooney

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Margaret W. Wong

Margaret W. Wong


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Margaret W. Wong

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Thomas W. Adler

Thomas W. Adler


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Thomas W. Adler

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Jeanette Grasselli Brown

Jeanette Grasselli Brown


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Jeanette Grasselli Brown

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Toby Cosgrove, MD

Toby Cosgrove, MD


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Toby Cosgrove, MD

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Art J. Falco

Art J. Falco


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Art J. Falco

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Robert D. Gries

Robert D. Gries


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Robert D. Gries

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Carole F. Hoover

Carole F. Hoover


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Carole F. Hoover

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Bracy E. Lewis

Bracy E. Lewis


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Bracy E. Lewis

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Robert P. Madison, FAIA

Robert P. Madison, FAIA


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Robert P. Madison, FAIA

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Morton L. Mandel

Morton L. Mandel


For nearly 60 years, Mr. Mandel’s civic volunteerism has helped to shape Cleveland. He served a founding role in several non-profit institutions and was a co-founder of Cleveland Tomorrow.

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Morton L. Mandel

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Samuel H. Miller

Samuel H. Miller


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Samuel H. Miller

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Steven A. Minter

Steven A. Minter


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Steven A. Minter

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A. Malachi Mixon III

A. Malachi Mixon III


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A. Malachi Mixon III

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Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.


Rev. Moss is widely regarded as one of America’s most influential religious and civil rights leaders with a lifelong track record of non-violent activism.

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Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.

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Sandra Pianalto

Sandra Pianalto


After 11 years as leader of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Sandra Pianalto retired in 2014 as that organization’s president and CEO. But her passion for public service has not slowed.

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Sandra Pianalto

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Richard W. Pogue

Richard W. Pogue


New to Cleveland, he and his wife Pat planned to stay for a few years before moving on to a larger city. They quickly fell in love with the city and its people.

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Richard W. Pogue

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Albert B. Ratner

Albert B. Ratner


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Albert B. Ratner

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Barbara S. Robinson

Barbara S. Robinson


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Barbara S. Robinson

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Jerry Sue Thornton, PhD

Jerry Sue Thornton, PhD


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Jerry Sue Thornton, PhD

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The Hon. George V. Voinovich

The Hon. George V. Voinovich


Sen. Voinovich was elected mayor in 1979, and served from 1980 to 1989. He became the first big-city mayor to incorporate public/private partnerships into municipal governance.

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The Hon. George V. Voinovich

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Michael R. White

Michael R. White


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Michael R. White

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THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP IN CIVIC, PHILANTHROPIC OR CORPORATE SPHERES, OR HAVE MADE AN IMPACT IN ANOTHER PRIVATE OR PUBLIC ENDEAVOR.

Their community impact reflects service to others marked by compassion and selflessness. They espouse teamwork as necessary to making a difference in our community, actively encouraging the contributions of others.

The individuals we honor with the Cleveland Heritage Medal have also demonstrated courage and respect as they take on difficult yet impactful initiatives for the good of Cleveland and its residents. These exceptional leaders are committed to fostering a community of inclusion and diversity, where differences are celebrated and all have the opportunity to participate. They are people of the highest character, serving as role models for others in the community.

With this honor, we celebrate the individuals who are creating today the great Cleveland of tomorrow.

OUTSTANDING LEADERS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF A CITY’S HERITAGE.

Watch the video to learn more about the establishment of the Cleveland Heritage Medal and the inaugural class of honorees.