Rest in Peace Donna Hom
2014 Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductee Donna Hom passed away unexpectedly on January 20, 2021. She was the eiptome of the American Dream coming from Guangzhou, China with nothing and working hard to eventually establishing three Chinese restaurants: King Wah in Rocky River, Ho Wah in Beachwood and Li Wah in Cleveland.
She was also instrumental in Asia Plaza at 30th and Payne and the creation of AsiaTown in Cleveland. She was a gracious host and loved taking care of her customers.
Fellow inductee Margaret Wong said she was the “first early Chinese immigrant who became really really successful. From nothing. I really respect her.”
At the induction ceremony, fellow restaurateur George Hwang called Donna Hom “a rags to riches immigrant success story”.
In her acceptance speech, Donna Hom said “If you work hard in this country, you’ll never go hungry.”
She will be missed. Rest in Peace Donna.
Induction Event Postponed due to Covid
With a typical crowd of 500 people, many of whom fly in from other cities, states and countries, it would not be responsible to go forward with the induction ceremony until it is safe.
In the meantime we are planning on a virtual tribute to the 2020 Class. Stay tuned.
We will be rescheduling the event, with the same stellar class of inductees, once the situation has settled down. Feel free to address them as Hall of Famer if you run into them.
2020 Class Chosen!
Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2020 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame and 6 outstanding people were selected by the committee with input from previous inductees for the 11th Class. They will be inducted on April 21, 2020 in a dinner ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center downtown.
Congratulations to the 11th Class:
- May Chen
- Margaret Lynch
- Valarie McCall
- Ramesh Shah
- Berj Shakarian
- Joe Valencic
Photos, bios and more details coming soon.
Buy tickets now before they sell out. (For tables and large groups contact us)
We are excited that WKYC News Anchor Russ Mitchell will be the Master of Ceremonies at the 11th annual Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductions on April 21, 2020.
2019 Class Inducted!
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Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2019 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame and these 6 outstanding people (alphabetical order) were the 10th Class. They were inducted on April 16, 2019 in a dinner ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center downtown. Photos/videos of the 2019 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Inductions |
Click on the name for a bio of the inductee as well as video of their induction and photos from the ceremony.
Congratulations to these 6 outstanding individuals!
You can also see photos of the honorees and some of the attendees on the 2019 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Photo Page.
Thanks to Channel 19 news anchor Chris Tanaka who served as MC for the induction ceremony.
2019 Class interviewed in Cultural Gardens
Chris Tanaka did an interview with each of the 6 inductees of the 2019 class from the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Watch the video below.
RIP Sam Miller
Cleveland and the world have lost a great friend.
Sam Miller’s parents were poor Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland. Their name was changed at Ellis Island. He became a great philanthropist helping Jewish, Catholic and other causes.
Sam Miller, Forest City co-chair emeritus, died March 7, 2019 at age 97. He will be missed greatly.
Sam Miller was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Wednesday May 8, 2013.
Photos and videos of Sam Miller’s induction.
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